I am a self confessed magazine addict, although I have been trying to cut down over the last year. But today I couldn’t resist buying the November issue of Irish Tatler. This magazine was celebrating 120 years and it was filled with lovely snippets of history and nostalgia about life in Ireland since the magazine was created. In amongst the photographs of fashion through the ages, there were articles about the long struggle for female equality in Ireland, which lagged quite a bit behind the UK, not least on issues such as contraception and divorce.
However, what was interesting were the contemporary articles and advertisements. As Christmas is fast approaching there were numerous suggestions for gifts including such extravagant items as scented candles for €195 euros or a Philippe Patek watch for just €120,000. The latter really caught my attention. It was advertised in an editorial style as a discreet luxury with its alligator skin strap and 32 baguette diamonds encircling the face. In these straightened times with the EU about to bail out the Irish banks I can’t help wondering what is so discreet about this watch, and who on earth would dream of spending such a large amount of money on such a trifling object. I would want at least four walls and a roof for this much cash.
The financial crisis is the most common topic of conversation here, and I know many people who have been made redundant and are facing quite a bleak future, let alone Christmas. But it is apparent that there are some ways of profiting from this situation. There is a new women’s magazine title that was launched last year, called Prudence. It is not, as one might expect, the cheapest magazine, even the Irish Tatler is around €2 cheaper, but it does aim to help the fashionable girl about town stay fashionable during the recession and presumably on a budget. But it is quite amusing to see what constitutes a tight budget, since the clothes and cosmetics that are advertised are not significantly cheaper. Instead the magazine seems to devote itself to encouraging its readers to negotiate for better deals for their spa weekend or where to buy their new Kelly bag for less than a grand.
I am not sure where my magazine addiction stems from since I am the least fashionable person I know. So although I know my Cath Kidston from Orla Kiely and can spot a fake Prada bag at 20 paces I do not care much for buying fancy schmancy clothes myself. But I love keeping on top of what is happening in the world of women’s magazines. I wonder what future readers will make of the coverage of the current financial crisis and how it is being “glossed over” so to speak.
Irish Tatler are obviously feeling confident enough in the spending powers of the population as they have just launch Men’s Tatler for the stylish man in your life.
