How does my media product represent a particular social group?

My media product represents the social group I am aiming my magazine at which is; Indie/alternative music lovers. My magazine represents this Social group by sticking to the typical conventions of an Indie magazine this includes: a plain housing, simple layout, unique style and an Urban feel. I believe that the typicality of my magazine cover, double page spread and contents page shows a clear indication of whom and what my music magazine is representing.

When doing my research on the social group I wanted to represent through my media product I saw that Independence was a key theme and message the genre had to offer, this was a clear pattern within the genre's magazines I had seen also as many of the models and artists featured would be photographed alone or solo artists. I chose to do the same when producing my media product as I wanted my magazine to appeal and relate to the Social group I was representing. Of course I recognized the risk I would be taking as I would be going against many of the typical conventions of a music magazine, but I felt that it would be most important to attract the social group I was aiming my magazine at.

My artist representation:
The model I decided to chose to use on my Front cover, double page spread and contents page was one I thought best suited the genre of my music magazine as she had the exact style I was looking for. The makeup and costume used when photographing the model had an Urban yet vintage/retro feel to it also. I wanted to emphasize and capture the essence of the street style most associated with the Indie/alternative genre.
I chose a female artist to represent my genre as when doing my research and collecting my servey results I realised that most of my responses were from female audiences, this way I felt that my magazine and artist could have a more personal effect to my readers. Again this was also a common trait within all 'Indie' magazines of which I had researched as most of the artists/models featured were female. I wanted my artist to have a positive effect on the social group I was aiming to represent and by doing so I wanted to be sure that my artist fit the stereotypical 'Indie' style and could be relatable to my target audience. I also decided not to make my artist look stereotypically seductive as based on the genre and target audience I felt that this would be an inappropriate choice, instead I wanted to present my artist as independent and inspirational.
My models posture and body language is slanted and shows her leaning forward, connoting that she is a confident in herself. This presents my artist as an aspirational figure as she is not promoting herself or being sexualised, this is shown through the choice of clothing and makeup as it is not seductive or too vibrant. This I felt would attract my younger audience and represent the genre accurately as well as positively.
My social group representation:
Many would agree that 'Indie' is very much dependant on music, yet is influenced more by fashion and unique sense of style. I tried to incorporate fashion as much as I could within my product as I felt it was essential when targeting my audience, mostly my female audience, hence my choice in a female artist.
Clothing:
When doing my research on the genre and my social group I saw that clothing played a huge role in portraying the genre. 'Indie' clothing is a mixture between a retro 80's style of bagginess and funky, with a modern twist of wild and carefree. As the style originated and is still inspired by the 80's I wanted to incorporate this within my artists choice of clothing by giving her, leggings to wear with a long oversized shirt and Doc Marten's, this I felt would be most relatable to my target audience as I have seen many females dress this way. Clothing from the 80's tended to have a rebellious feel, with women wearing baggy jackets, ripped tights or leggings and not to mention crazy hairstyles, this shows a carefree attitude with women now lacking in vanity. This streak is now seen in 'Indie' style where females are adopting this careless attitude. The 'messy look' still seems to be a common look within my social group as it presents the urban look to the style as well as the retro feel from iconic artists such as 'Madonna' from the 80's. This not only shows the wild carefree look of my social group but also the fun, upbeat look that is explored.
Hair and makeup:
Hair and makeup has changed in terms of time within the 'Indie' look, as it appears to be more tamed and neutral, as in the 80's makeup was more vibrant and hair was a lot more wild and colourful. When doing my research on my social group I saw that much of my audience had quite natural wavy hair on the borderline of the messy look, again this showed a less vain audience as they are not as fond on spending time on their hair. This also seems to connote a fun upbeat characteristic of my social group, even showing a childish manner. Makeup is also very neutral and minimal, this shows confidence within my audience as they are not worried to show their natural beauty and makes the females seem less seductive. Although, many tend to want focus around the eye by wearing thick eye-liner or mascara to make up for the pale skin.