tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042413869472011551.post7460094246031841500..comments2023-09-17T00:52:27.888+10:00Comments on Girl With a Satchel: Mags: Grazia's glossy debutErica Bartle (nee Holburn)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03115131016810116605noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042413869472011551.post-53142787236009306742008-07-24T11:06:00.000+10:002008-07-24T11:06:00.000+10:00Your review is absolutely spot-on Erica. Also, th...Your review is absolutely spot-on Erica. Also, they should hire you on a consulting basis as your suggestions were excellent!<BR/><BR/>Having recently returned from living in the UK (where my addiction to UK Grazia bordered on the pathological) I was eagerly awaiting the OZ edition and when I got hold of a copy on Monday I was truly disappointed. In one word: Underwhelmed. Where is the wit and spark that the UK version has in spades? The cover is terrible, the masthead size and fonts in general...the cover would not 'sell' the magazine to me. I would have thought the art direction would have been fairly easy to get right as they are really just copying the UK edition but it is truly terrible in parts. There are far too many long and boring features and I agree that they are taking themselves WAY to seriously. How ridiculous is the editor's head shot?!? Also, the fashion editor wearing shades in his??? Literally too cool for school. I thought the reference to Daniel John's in the shoot with his girlfriend was beyond naff- it's not a teen magazine. <BR/><BR/>Furthermore, rather than coming across as a pale imitation of the British version I was really hoping that they would find a distinctly Australian 'voice'- even the inclusion of some Aussie vernacular would have endeared me. There weren't enough high-street buys either which is what makes the UK one so great. Admittedly the British high street is truly fantastic and one of a kind but I think there could have been some more affordable inclusions on the fashion pages. Clearly, the cover story was just an excuse to put Kate Moss on the cover as she will always sell a magazine...undoubtedly a shrewd marketing decision. What makes it even more ridiculous is that I'm pretty certain she hasn't even broken up with Jamie Hince. Also, who care's about Elle??? Thought the food page was great. End rant.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042413869472011551.post-38991506417840086112008-07-22T23:18:00.000+10:002008-07-22T23:18:00.000+10:00Thanks for your review! When I read the mag (didn'...Thanks for your review! When I read the mag (didn't get my hands on till today) I wasn't sure if it was just me thinking there was something missing from Grazia, but now I know other people feel the same way. The features were pretty shoddy to be honest - they could probably have had less features, but longer ones that were meatier and I hate to say it, more well written. Despite Grazia's high-energy layout, the features seemed as if they were written when the writer was half-asleep. <BR/>I did like the fashion spread with Daniel Johns' girlfriend though, great inspiration for a night out (JUST inspiration). And I LOVED the food section, cannot WAIT to try out those apples!<BR/>I guess Grazia was tying too hard to be everywhere at once, and in the end it just missed out.<BR/><BR/>p.s. I liked the price! $5 is such a convenient price - no need for fiddly change or anything! I think I'm just lazy though...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042413869472011551.post-35131760897776330172008-07-22T22:52:00.000+10:002008-07-22T22:52:00.000+10:00I used to buy Grazia in the UK and have to say I l...I used to buy Grazia in the UK and have to say I loved it...however the celeb culture is everywhere over there. For instance I'd much rather read about Elle at a fabulous London party than say Lara Bingle at the Grazia Launch... Yawn! A-list celeb I think not.<BR/>Just to let you know also- the first version of Grazia in the Uk too was thick and adequate for the asking price. Each version following became half the length and I wouldn't be surprised if that's what happens here... <BR/><BR/>One thing is Grazia UK at least contained a bit more fashion content at the high street price point, why does every magazine in Australia serve up the luxury brands every chance they get... We all know how fabulous designer clothing is but finding something nice at cheaper prices- well that's of interest to most of us...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042413869472011551.post-21762303232194264682008-07-22T19:33:00.000+10:002008-07-22T19:33:00.000+10:00It's such a let-down, poorly constructed and even ...It's such a let-down, poorly constructed and even more poorly written. Even the Editor's letter alienates me.<BR/>PLEASE GET BETTER GRAZIA!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042413869472011551.post-4852334056367020712008-07-22T19:22:00.000+10:002008-07-22T19:22:00.000+10:00I thought the same thing about Grazia. I was disap...I thought the same thing about Grazia. I was disappointed, and was surprised to see the list of staff. 170 (incl front and back page), including the 59 adverts. I thought it was over the top and it didn't know what it wanted to be yet. Some of the articles weren't up to date. Angelina was last week, and Kate Moss as a highlight? It's cheaper to buy Vogue on a monthly basis than fork out five dollars a week.<BR/><BR/>I thought New Woman was better. What do women decide? or do they buy every weekly magazine? Grazia is yet to find its identity. The UK site is quite minimal in terms of content, and the UK subscription offer may indicate that the mag isn't that popular, at one pound per issue.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042413869472011551.post-81740690056378835822008-07-22T15:59:00.000+10:002008-07-22T15:59:00.000+10:00Wow!! She is looking amazing in these dresses!!Wow!! She is looking amazing in these <A HREF="http://www.couponalbum.com/category/womens-apparel.htm" REL="nofollow">dresses</A>!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042413869472011551.post-20936278604778165372008-07-22T10:57:00.000+10:002008-07-22T10:57:00.000+10:00Forking out $5 EVERY week is insane no matter how ...Forking out $5 EVERY week is insane no matter how good it will be (which it it NOT at the moment....) Maybe they should make it at least a fortnightly or a monthly like some of their international editions and also I felt the website which is free to browse pretty much gave the same feel/ideas as the magazine so like why pay for it every week?? Just for pretty ads?? In comparison the monthlies are looking much better value for money ;pAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042413869472011551.post-85699673859687158282008-07-22T09:50:00.000+10:002008-07-22T09:50:00.000+10:00i knew it wasn't going to be flash hot when on the...i knew it wasn't going to be flash hot when on the editors letter page they recommended coloured ray-bans as being hot for the new season!!! isn't this ment to be a fashion forward magazine?? (and also the part about cut off jeans for summer... ummm hasn't everyone been wearing them every summer?)<BR/><BR/>the website colours also are nothing new... pink, grey + silver(white) colour scheme is absolutley everywhere (first issue of Art World for example)... you'd think they would have come up with something new.... <BR/>i had much higher expectations from such a hgihly qualified team, and all those ads just seem like they are mocking you as the reader...<BR/>hopefully it can only get better!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042413869472011551.post-42777603229639615842008-07-22T08:43:00.000+10:002008-07-22T08:43:00.000+10:00oh my golly i can't wait. we haven't got it here y...oh my golly i can't wait. we haven't got it here yet in hobart -- GRRRR!!! -- i just rang my local supermarket and they said hopefully tomorrow. wow the page count sounds huge for a weekly -- they won't sustain it. your reviews and scans leave me breathless with anticipation, especially after readign the other comments.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042413869472011551.post-9411428731101039122008-07-21T23:57:00.000+10:002008-07-21T23:57:00.000+10:00O love your blog, very nic to read! Maybe you like...O love your blog, very nic to read! Maybe you like my blog, too. Have a look! I add you to my favourites ;-)Pinkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06415957542981995103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042413869472011551.post-59311673177500036362008-07-21T22:59:00.000+10:002008-07-21T22:59:00.000+10:00I also rushed out to buy the magazine today. I'm ...I also rushed out to buy the magazine today. I'm in WA and throughout the day went to 3 different newsagents in 3 wide-spread suburbs and none had it. At the final newsagent, a representative from (mag distributor) Gordon and Gotch was there who told the retailer (and myself who was eves dropping) that the GRAZIA was due to come out today in WA, but "for some reason it's been delayed to Wednesday".<BR/><BR/>Poor planning for a launch issue, I think.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042413869472011551.post-69892096733842838302008-07-21T21:21:00.000+10:002008-07-21T21:21:00.000+10:00Thanks for such a meaty review, GWAS. I was gaggin...Thanks for such a meaty review, GWAS. I was gagging for this post as I can't get my mitts on the debut Oz issue over here in London. <BR/><BR/>Loving the sound of Matthew Evans' column (I'm a fan from his SMH Good Living days) and looking forward to seeing more from Edwina McCann (always admired her style). <BR/><BR/>It will be interesting to see how it all evolves over the next few months. xxTop birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01356289871296166832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042413869472011551.post-47842166820163586402008-07-21T19:15:00.000+10:002008-07-21T19:15:00.000+10:00Great review!I used to buy the British version whe...Great review!<BR/>I used to buy the British version when I lived in London and I could justify the 1 pound or what ever it was price tag, but I did find after a couple of months in production that as you put it, 'it seems to be servicing advertisers as much as wooing readers, which I don't think is safe.'<BR/>I hope the Ausssie version can live up to expectations, but for $5 a week it would have to be pretty bloody good.<BR/>I love this blog!<BR/>LM<BR/>xLady Melbournehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10963970531198048068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042413869472011551.post-77016798171462977642008-07-21T18:44:00.000+10:002008-07-21T18:44:00.000+10:00Great review.While something does seem to be missi...Great review.<BR/><BR/>While something does seem to be missing I think it will find its feet. People may have expected with this much money and pressure it would be perfect from the get-go but magazines need time and reader feedback to get it right. I will give it more time. <BR/><BR/>$5 is a good price. The monthlies have been cut from my budget (hello free reading at Borders), $8 plus for Marie Claire is ridiculous. $5 leaves me feeling less guilty if I want something to read on the tram.<BR/><BR/>I like the concept, they have a good chance of survival being different to the other weeklies, most likely NW or Famous who don't pay for exclusives. <BR/><BR/>Blogs are more of a worry to the other weeklies. You can't get all your fashion/beauty/lifestyle/news from the one blog, few are comprehensive enough or local enough. You can however get all your celebrity news from one or two places, i.e. Perez. <BR/><BR/>Grazia and the economy will kill off one of the celebrity weeklies this year is my bet. <BR/><BR/>Please in the next issue no whining in the editor's letter. I'm sure you're working very hard but there is nothing more tedious than reading about how tired/hardworking/hard done by the editor/team is. You are writing for more than the industry/mag obessed girls.Appleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12726490251621913109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042413869472011551.post-16048077774156626162008-07-21T18:35:00.000+10:002008-07-21T18:35:00.000+10:00I feel what anon is saying but I think what's grea...I feel what anon is saying but I think what's great about FAMOUS is it doesn't take itself too seriously while maybe Grazia needs to inject a bit more personality. I think the personal pieces, like the one from Edwina McCann, help to do this.Abandon Shithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07815438074996408787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042413869472011551.post-39720380311037816602008-07-21T17:54:00.000+10:002008-07-21T17:54:00.000+10:00Great review. I rushed out this morning to buy it ...Great review. I rushed out this morning to buy it after reading so much about it... and was oh so disappointed. <BR/>Most of it felt like a glorified shopping catalogue whilst the 'serious' articles were not things I was interested in reading.<BR/>I agree with you- the food page was definitely my favourite page (and made my tummy rumble).<BR/>$5 isn't much if it is a good mag, but it certainly feels like a lot right now!!!<BR/>I will be flipping through next weeks issue at the newsagency before making a decision to purchase.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042413869472011551.post-11173757712079248842008-07-21T17:48:00.000+10:002008-07-21T17:48:00.000+10:00gwas - as well as your review being exactly as to ...gwas - <BR/>as well as your review being exactly as to what i felt (i'm 17!) whilst i was reading through the much anticipated Grazia, i'd like to thankyou for presenting this review in dot point form!<BR/>sounds like such a silly thing but i find myself just skimming through your more recent reviews which are written in huge chunks of words, rather than your older reviews which were in dot points and oh-so-easy to read and take in!<BR/><BR/>thanks!<BR/>- a daily reader (& lover!) of gwas.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042413869472011551.post-46032046779404010842008-07-21T17:36:00.000+10:002008-07-21T17:36:00.000+10:00I am with anonymous, for a weekly magazine $5 is t...I am with anonymous, for a weekly magazine $5 is too much to spend. The magazine is nice and thick but that is a bit deceiving considering the amount of ads, not to mention double page ads (ah!) I also agree with yourself and Megan that the magazine lacks something, I finished reading it and felt like i hadnt really been inspired and the articles wern't overly new ideas<BR/><BR/>Great review as always :)Style On Trackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01972727565571750957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042413869472011551.post-77017855978231444192008-07-21T17:20:00.000+10:002008-07-21T17:20:00.000+10:00Your review is spot on Erica!!!! I also felt that...Your review is spot on Erica!!!! I also felt that the magazine lacked something - that X factor that meant I could not put it down. I don't think I could read this magazine in one sitting - at the moment, there's not enough content and visuals there to hold my interest for that long. However, will give it a go for a couple of months. I thought your suggestions for content were excellent and would definately make me want to read it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042413869472011551.post-33044952497816013882008-07-21T16:51:00.000+10:002008-07-21T16:51:00.000+10:00HiPS PS There. I too whipped out to buy Grazia, be...HiPS PS There. I too whipped out to buy Grazia, because i'm always happy when a new mag launches in Australia. My first thoughts? A rip-off, at $5, and for a weekly. No quality to the pages or the styling, covers, images...cheap, hurried feel (of writing) BUT, in its defense, it doesn't actually make me feel dirty like the last time i bought FAMOUS (which is, actually, such a nasty magazine).<BR/>I thought with a title like Grazia (European, exotic), and the post-Harpers team, it would be a bit more stylish. But, alas, i actually think Ok! services this weekly market a lot better. Still, it's early days...thanks for the review<BR/>Oh! PS Have you seen IN Style this month? The cover is fairly bland and i looked at their masthead and they seem to be working on skeleton staff...looking forward to your review of that one!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com