Last week the release of US Maxim turned a few heads for the right reasons. Instead of being confronted by a scantily clad seductress, The Wire’s Idris Elba smoulders from the cover in his suave leopard print coat.
Kate Lanphear has been praised as the brains behind Maxim’s new image; toning down the lad mag and adding a hint of class to steer the magazine in a new direction.
This change, pioneered by the former style director of Elle USA, is one of many reasons why Lanphear is a worthy idol for women. This said it seems apt to pay homage to the woman changing the face of lad mags by learning a bit more about the woman behind the operation.
Lanphear grew up in a traditionally Irish catholic family in Virginia, where she developed a grungy style through her teenage years, donning guns and roses t-shirts and skinny jeans.
Today the editor-in-chief of Maxim is a style icon, complete with her own cult following. Her androgynous look is formed through a combination of platinum blonde hair and a rock-n-roll couture wardrobe.
Lanphear has a strong style background behind her working for brands such as Australian Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Elle USA.
So it’s not surprising that the decision for her to become editor-in-chief of Maxim was a shock to its readers. And a lot of them didn’t take to the idea at all…
Seriously @MaximMag ? When will Sardar Biglari realize that #katelanphear has killed the mag. She’s completely out of touch. #BringBackKeith
— Big Daddy (@TheHungarian74) August 16, 2015
@MaximMag Kate Lanphear the new editor is ruining the greatest men’s magazine. Taking the girls out and turning it into a chick magazine….
— Bart thompson (@fishing4dragons) August 20, 2015
But then there are those who proclaim from the rooftops (or at least Twitter) this is the best decision the magazine could have made.
And now I will be buying my 1st issue of #Maxim. #IdrisElba #Swoon #KateLanphear https://t.co/mTbuIinrxL
— Elle Smith (@Grammarous) August 5, 2015
Kate Lanphear is rapidly becoming my idol. https://t.co/symgMFXMCZ
— Sarah Power (@SarahKPower) August 7, 2015
In the height of Women’s Season here at Kettle, this change from a degrading objectification of women’s bodies to a sophisticated look focusing on talent and accomplishments couldn’t go uncelebrated.
But what are your views? Is the change to appeal more widely to a female audience as well as male unnecessary? Or is it one that’s been a long time coming? Leave your views in the comment section below!
