British Girl

Essence is the first monthly magazine for African-American women between the ages of 18 and 49, and has become a cultural institution in the African-American community. The magazine covers fashion, lifestyle and beauty with an intimate girlfriend-to-girlfriend tone.

There are sections such as Work and Wealth, Healthy Living, and Looks We Love that cover topics that focus on career, finance, health, lifestyle, fashion, and beauty which share an intimate connection with readers.

History

The magazine was founded in 1968 by Edward Lewis, Clarence O. Smith, Cecil Hollingsworth, Jonathan Blount, and Denise M. Clark. Essence Communications Inc. (ECI) began publishing in May 1970. Its circulation began at approximately 50,000 copies per month, subsequently growing to roughly 1.1 million. Photographer, Filmmaker, Author Gordon Parks served as its editorial director during the first three years of its circulation.

Susan L. Taylor was the editor in chief for 19 years (81-00) and then publications director for 7 years. She retired on 28 Dec 2007 to focus on her national Cares Mentoring Movement non-profit organization.

In 2000, Time Inc. purchased 49 percent of the magazine from its original publisher, Essence Communications Inc. By March 2005, Time Inc. became the majority owner, buying the remaining 51 percent in a deal reported to be worth US$170 million. In 2008, Essence won 12 New York Association of Black Journalists awards in the Investigative, General Feature, International, Business/Technology, Science/Health, Arts and Entertainment, Personal Commentary, Public Affairs and Online categories.

For 38 years, the company has flourished and expanded beyond pages of its magazine to generate brand extensions such as the Essence Music Festival, Women Who Are Shaping the World Leadership Summit, Window on Our Women (WOW I, II & III) and Smart Beauty I, II & III consumer insights, the Essence Book Club, Essence.com, and ventures in digital media (mobile, television and VOD) via Essence Studios.

Alef is the premier indigenous pan-Arab fashion, lifestyle and culture magazine that is wholly devoted to covering the Arab world.

Their mission is to showcase a modern and progressive Middle East and to spotlight the cultural and creative contribution of people of Arab origin. They focus on covering fashion, beauty, design, architecture, art, music and film.

Cosmopolitan is an international magazine for women. It was first published in 1886 in the United States as a family magazine, was later transformed into a literary magazine and eventually became a women's magazine in the late 1960s. Also known as Cosmo, its current content includes articles on relationships and sex, health, careers, self-improvement, celebrities, as well as fashion and beauty. Published by Hearst Magazines, Cosmopolitan has 58 international editions, is printed in 34 languages and is distributed in more than 100 countries.