dazed and confused cover
TRANSCRIPT
The title ‘Dazed & Confused’ is
emblazoned across the top of the magazine,
and very much reflects the tone of the magazine: self-
obsession, emotion, power and a completely unashamed voyeurism.
The large font and the plain white typography
show this off, so that even though the picture is colour and layered in front, it draws the eye.
Anna Paquin wears bright red lipstick in this image, a colour typically related to passion, hate or love. The colour is bright enough to draw attention to her face, but not so bright to obscure her other features. This has been used to ensure Paquin being the first thing seen when the magazine is picked up.
The connotations of the colour red being love and passion is also related to the reason behind Paquin being on the magazine. During the release of this edition of ‘Dazed & Confused’ was the release of ‘The Romantics’, a film in which Paquin plays a woman whose fiance is in love with her best friend, and maid of honour. The colour red brings this film to mind for the audience, so advertises both.
Unlike the conventions of her role, Anna Paquin looks confident and feminine. She is still fashionable, as whilst being a modern mix of arts and culture - Dazed & Confused can still be considered a fashion magazine - wearing a camel jacket and a leopard bra. These clothing not only show her body, but her personality and character. This is used to advertise the magazine in that it implies that the article inside will give an insight into the actress’ life. It also has the implications that it is possible to be beautiful and confident, and you can find out how within the pages of the magazine.
The image of Anna Paquin that the magazine has used reflects aspects of the actress’ character. She, like the magazine, is unashamed of showing her emotion. Unlike the archetypal magazine model, she is literally grinning from ear to ear. The conventions of a magazine model is a skinny, pouting girl who completely lacks emotion, in order to advertise whatever it is that she sells.
All of this is reflected back upon the magazine. The colour scheme of this issue of Dazed and Confused is quite muted pastels. This really puts emphasis on Anna Paquin, and the words emblazoned across her, highlighting the theme of the magazine.
The fact that Paquin wears a bra covered only by an open jacket could be interpreted through Mulvey’s male gaze. However whilst the image can be said to be shown from a perspective that makes her more attractive, the magazine
has subverted this by making the text only on Paquin and by making the screen around her blank. This subverts Mulvey’s male gaze because it makes the
actress the most important aspect of the magazine, and removes the idea that Paquin is owned by the magazine, and stops the actress being seen as an object
or commodity, but instead as the selling point of the magazine.
The majority of ‘Dazed & Confused’ centres on music, film and fashion, and the titles down the bottom reflect this. Raf Simons is a men's fashion
designer, Lykke Li is a singer, and James Franco a famous actor. This shows the audience that whilst they can expect the subject matter to change, they
know that the themes within the magazine will be the same.
The rest of the writing on the magazine cover is not related to Anna Paquin, so uses smaller text, that is white like the title. Like the title, the
white makes the text obvious, but not overpowering.