As the year comes to a close, the Queen of
England would like us to all spend some quality time reflecting. Taking a page
from Her Majesty’s annual Christmas broadcast, we would all do well to partake
in a little look back. But as any
good fashion-devotee knows, the most important reflections are not about the
regrets or should-haves (I for one, probably should not have eaten that entire
cheesecake last week…), rather they are for mulling over the highlights, and
occasional lowlights, of the pervious year in terms of the covers. So tomorrow
morning, while spending the day in bed recovering from the vats of bubby you are
sure to consume tonight (congratulations on your first ‘should not have’ of
2014 by the way) here are a few top picks of 2013 to consider.
Selena Gomez is all grown-up and dressed down. Initially, I
was drawn to this cover by its cheeky positioning of my middle school obsession.
The cover moves her into new territory stylistically (reflecting on her new, vampy-er
sound projected on the Stars Dance album), but it does so without alienating
anyone or pushing things too far à la some of her fellow Disney Channel alumni.
i-D, a publication known for its
envelope-pushing, arty audience, was venturing into new space by putting Selena
on the cover. Selena is obviously a profitable cover choice, but she is known
for her work on more commercial titles like Cosmo and Teen Vogue. It was a risk
for Selena as well. Nixing her usual assortment of mini-skirts and body-con
pieces in favor of a candid, fresh-faced look was a first for her. "It's
so easy to wear incredible, beautiful dresses and look super glamorous, because
you have the power of Photoshop," Gomez said. “A shoot that's really
stripped-down and raw is really fun to do. I was being rained on, it was
freezing, I was covered in a giant sweater and my hair was all over the place.
I got to just be in that moment and feel like I was there."
This blog
could probably be titled ‘A Giant Love
Letter to Katie Grand,’ but when she keeps producing covers like this (their 5th
anniversary issue), is it really any wonder why she is the object of our
affection? For the 10th issue of her bi-annual, Love, Grand produced
six different covers, each featuring a member of her famed model posse (a slightly
offbeat variation of Alexander Wang’s army circa 2011/2012) and one special guest: Minnie Mouse, the ultimate fashion plate.
Karlie + Kookie
dough... Would I finally get the recipe for her infamously delicious line of
gluten-free kookie's at Momofuku Milk Bar?
That was the
thought going through my mind when I first saw the cover (their first
issue) of Cherry Bombe, the Brooklyn-based publication focusing on the
fusion of my two favorite things: fashion and food. The first cover is a decisive
step in the inauguration of any magazine, and I applaud CB for going with this
choice. While it may not being utilizing Karlie’s posing abilities to their
fullest potential, it’s iconoclastic in its own right. I mean, a supermodel in
an apron… eating? Quel shocking! It's adorable without being overdone or appearing contrived in any way. Now, the issue has taken up residence in my kitchen and serves as culinary inspiration when all I really want is to make rice for the umpteenth time.
This one may be a bit bias. Dual covers of MK and A are an automatic win in my book.
The twins appear fresh-faced and pretty. Although there really isn't anything particularly special about it (I would have made it a January cover myself), the enclosed editorial is surprisingly chic and well-styled considering the beauty title that put it together.
If I were including online covers in this selection, their spread for Net-a-Porters online mag, The Edit, would easily make the cut.
If you’re a Harry Potter fan you’ll be shocked. If
you’ve seen The Bling Ring, you’ll
understand.
In Ms.
Watson’s first cover for the UK edition of GQ, she appears in character as Nicki,
the deranged bobble-head she plays in Sofia Coppola’s The Bling Ring. To fully appreciate how iconic this cover is, you
need to first see the film and then Netflix Pretty Wild, the single-season reality TV show about the sick family which the movie was based on. (Words can not even
describe how fabulously terrible this show was. It is truly a travesty that it only
lasted one season.)
Entering and exiting quietly, I was
surprised by how little press this cover received. A complete departure from
any editorial Hermione Emma has done before (she usually goes for a softer, more feminine look), she channeled her inner Vivian Ward superbly.
With those sultry eyes and blood-stained lips set against the metallic lettering and tonal Prada furs, the look strongly echoed Vogue Paris. Another powerful first issue for 2013.
Covers aside, one
of the highlights of 2013 was Daria Werbowy’s return to modeling after a break
that nearly caused an industry-wide ulcer. Returning in a big way, Werbowy
appeared on a number of mentionable covers, but top honors went to her pouting
for Vogue Ukraine’s debut issue.
Teen Vogue could take a page from Miss Vogue, the younger sister edition of Australian Vogue.
Gearing towards a younger audience, the cover is quirky and fashion forward in its own right. Elle Fanning, dressed casually in one of Ricardo Tisci's SS13 pieces, exudes sweetness and innocence through that adorable smile. She looks like she is having a great time, a concept that is often forgotten in modern editorials.
Emmanuelle
Alt’s over the top styling + the killer body of Isabeli Fontana + a backdrop
set against the mountains of Cuzco (near Testino’s hometown) = one crazy
fucking mess of glorious fashion.
It’s a little exotic and a lot tacky – a potent combination when
conceptualized by Mario Testino and French Vogue. The cover received mixed
reviews when it first came out in April, but despite the naysayers it stood out
on the newsstand as one of the only non-studio based shots for spring. Another
section of the magazine worth mentioning is the editorial (also shot by Testino
and styled by Sarajane Hoare) featuring Kate Moss in a variety of shawls, beads
and sombreros.
