Ypulse Monthly Teen Mag Roundup
Posted by meredith on 10-16-2009
Cliché or no, Chanel Iman and Jourdan Dun are more than a couple of pretty faces. The two teenage supermodels who grace this month’s Teen Vogue cover are also the first models of color to achieve such high profiles since the likes of Naomi Campbell and Tyra. If you think that sounds like a bittersweet distinction, you’re not the only one. Although both recognize the significance of reflecting the diversity of readers within the mag’s pages, each has bigger plans in mind. Of her career, Chanel says: “I don’t want to be known as the black model. I want to be recognized as Chanel Iman the personality.”
Jourdan, meanwhile, will soon have to put her fight against the industry’s dated views on race on hold as she takes on another, possibly more daunting challenge: teen parenthood. Although a rep from Teen Vogue says the pregnancy was unknown at the time of the photo shoot, in the accompanying profile the 19-year-old model candidly shares some of the difficulties of her unplanned pregnancy: “All I could think about was what my mom was going to say, my agency, my boyfriend…. [My mom] got pregnant with me at the same age, and she said, ‘I don’t want you to have to go through what I did.’”
Think before you ink, wisely advises Teen Vogue in regards to the increasingly mainstream tattoo trend among teens and twentysomethings today. With what was formerly a rebel staple, becoming a standard accessory of young Hollywood, the feature reports on the reality of this lifelong commitment and what you should know before stepping into that parlor door.
Didn’t you hear? The nineties are back. At least, style-wise. Readers who aren’t quite sure what that means (a distinct possibility since many were born during the decade!), can consult the photo spread appropriately titled “Finding Nirvana” as an illustrated guide on how to relive grunge’s glory days through plaids, thermals and the classic all-American work boots. And while it probably would be a stretch on teen shoppers’ wallets to seek out the Opening Ceremony or Marc by Marc Jacobs versions that appear therein, surely there are suitable imitations available at the local vintage store, which ironically, would be more authentically grunge anyway.
Hmm.. what was the name of that vampire movie sequel coming out this November again? All the kids were talking about it a while back? Just kidding. For those fans counting down the days until “New Moon” premieres, Seventeen makes the wait just slightly more bearable with “The Most REVEALING Interviews Ever” (emphasis theirs) with stars Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner and cover girl Kristen Stewart. Other “Twilight” goodies include an exclusive sneak peek into the second film, a chance to win free tix and a full-size poster of Taylor. So, does that put the Seventeen staffers on the side of Team Jacob? If so, then these words of wisdom from Kristen may just apply to them: “If people don’t understand why Bella and Edward should be together by New Moon, then they shouldn’t get it.”
Not going to lie, when a cover story promises to “Get Your Best Body Ever Without Working Out,” I get somewhat suspicious. Fortunately, the body this tagline is referring to is the one readers already have (phew!).. just wearing clothes that make them feel comfortable in their own skin.
For better or worse, Seventeen dives into the minds of real guys to find out which qualities attract them to the opposite sex and which ones.. not so much. While some of the answers are not particularly impressive (one says, “Cries.” I say, dude!?!), there are some insights in there that may possibly give readers a helpful perspective on guy-girl communications (another quote “Says nothing is wrong when there is something wrong.”) Of course, what might be even more advantageous to discovering what your partner is thinking is… to just ask them.
For more coverage of YA books and publishing, check out the Ypulse Books Channel sponsored by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, publishers of Ash by Malinda Lo
Categorized under: Books & Print, Fashion, Magazines
December 13th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
I just wanted to comment that they are not always correct about what qualities attract males. The most popular girl at my school (with the guys) is incredibly confident and at the top of her class, and would never be caught dead crying, especially in public. I don’t think that guys like girls who always sweet and soft. My male friends sometimes prefer girls who they can have an actual conversation with, instead of a make out partner.