Hi my name is Diana and I'm a 3rd year student at the London college of fashion doing a magazine for teen black girls, between the ages of 18-24. I'm posting this to get some thoughts on angles, directions etc, what sort of things should I included.?When I was growing up I was obbsessed by fashion and beauty but had to bypass all the make-up/hair tips as it's just not catered to my skin tone or race. I believe this has to be changed, and I know their is pride magazine, but it's aimed at older women i think, and black beauty/black hair is again just about hair and not really lifestlye. Black girls lifestyle differ clearly from white/asian girls lifestyles and i want my magazine to represent that. if anyone could give some ideas in what they think is missing in the black media lifestlye print market please say a few words. who do you think I should feature, as british african/caribeans (spelling) what do we need to see in our magazine. what kind of language would you like to be addressed in. a magazine that is just about, hair, music or baby mama drama is surely not enough. how should the magazine look? arty like i.D or Dazed and Confused or glossy like Glamour and Elle?maybe the focusing not just on rnb and hip-hop but maybe alternative music or fashion...what is missing, please give me a few words as you help is greatly appricated!
thanks Diana Yeboah

Hi my name is Diana and I'm a 3rd year student at the London college of fashion doing a magazine for teen black girls, between the ages of 18-24. I'm posting this to get some thoughts on angles, directions etc, what sort of things should I included.?When I was growing up I was obbsessed by fashion and beauty but had to bypass all the make-up/hair tips as it's just not catered to my skin tone or race. I believe this has to be changed, and I know their is pride magazine, but it's aimed at older women i think, and black beauty/black hair is again just about hair and not really lifestlye. Black girls lifestyle differ clearly from white/asian girls lifestyles and i want my magazine to represent that. if anyone could give some ideas in what they think is missing in the black media lifestlye print market please say a few words. who do you think I should feature, as british african/caribeans (spelling) what do we need to see in our magazine. what kind of language would you like to be addressed in. a magazine that is just about, hair, music or baby mama drama is surely not enough. how should the magazine look? arty like i.D or Dazed and Confused or glossy like Glamour and Elle?maybe the focusing not just on rnb and hip-hop but maybe alternative music or fashion...what is missing, please give me a few words as you help is greatly appricated!
thanks Diana Yeboah

focus on the professional black ladies out there, 'new upcoming working black women. no music no sport for now atleast

Feature black city workers, I.T specialists, Estate Agents, Business owners and so on..like Strong black women in other sectors

Diana, I think this is a brillant idea and I am sure it will be a very successful one.
I think the first question one has to ask is "what is missing in teenage magazine today for black girls?" It is evident when you stop at any of them randomly Teen Vogue: Fashion Starts Here: teenvogue.com there are not enough black girls or boys featured inside the magazines or the covers for that matter. They are not addressing black teenagers, and I am sure most black teenagers skip all the pages that are not relevant to them when reading the magazines, which is a waste of money in my opinion.
Any teenage magazine despite who their target market is should at least cover the basic questions on: makeup, HAIR (black african, mixed race), fashion, diet,music, games & gadgets , book club, black celebrity gossip, dating, where to get help regarding Health, legal, finance, education, etc. places of interest, events, online blog, Money saving tips (remember the majority of black teenagers are not from wealthy families, and some work part time to support themselves) and most importantly to cover stories on young role models in the community e.g. interview with Estelle or Kano on their new album.

For reseach maybe you should get a copy of Alfred Fornay's Born Beautiful which covers makeup advise for black teenage girls. And also spend time watching America's / British next top model, which will give you an insight on some young black women on style, insecurities etc .You could also do a very brief questionnaire and ask teeenagers on the street about their thoughts on a black teeenage magazine.

Click on image
As a teenager I was totally misinformed about black women's hair and makeup ( I dont think I was even comfortable in my own skin), I wore the wrong makeup shade forever and used the wrong hair products without even realising it and it didnt help that most of my friends were as clueless as I was; simply because we followed what the fashion bibles were telling us, I was eventually rescued by a black professional makeup artist. And he did for me what the magazines, televisions had failed to do for me; sorted out my hair, makeup and style , a life lesson on what compliments black beauty.
To answer your question on the image of the magazine, I think Suede was an excellent depiction of black style.

Thank you SO MUCH for your reply, I really appriciated it.I need as much reserach as possible as I want my mag to shine and be realistic. your comments were spot on. cheers x

so real role models as opposed to just beyonce and footballers? I think that's really interesting thanks for your reply...x

Media in all its forms (print, ezines, tv) have such a strong influence on the "young souls" that having teenager magazines offering real raw models is very important. Pity that many people "in the industry" will only go for the money.

Wishing you a lot of success!

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Hi,

I think your idea is brilliant, and i'm sure your going to produce something excellent and unique.

As a young black woman of 20, i have to say that things/elements i would like to see in a black magazine is/are:

1) Personal stories of students who enter higher education (no matter what route), to encourage and show other young black people that NO MATTER what, its not only wise to enter higher education, but its NOT IMPOSSIBLE.

Success stories or all shape and form.

2) Bible stories, small passages e.g. a psalm or two, for encouragement which can be torn out and kept.

There is soo much that you can do, but most importantly i think is to keep the language to a good standard (i find that slang in magazines for black youths perpetuates negative stereotypes)

Also, the FASHION side should be varied. Young black people need to break away from the stereotype they've been burdened with, i.e. the hoodies, alot of gold and short/tight clothing. They need to see that they can open thier image up, so not only do they look trendy, but they emit of more positive vibe.

A magazine dedicated to moulding black youth with a distinct vibe of thier own that isnt based on what American Hip Hop and R'n'B artists are doing, wearing or saying.

Good luck, i hope i helped

Is there any news about the magazine? I also believe that it is a great idea.