The June issues of ELLE & Harper's Bazaar UK are out!
TFS

I thought it would be at least another week until the new covers of British ELLE and Harper's Bazaar were released. The timing is also a bit off because they have both come out today in quite good quality and by their respective houses – no leaks here.

The second I saw Kristen Stewart on the cover of ELLE the first thing I thought was how 'American Vogue' it looks. I like the colours of the cover but the hair? C'mon, she is not 25 yet, she doesn't deserve ageing hair like this! The pose is also a bit awkward but her face does look absolutely beautiful! Hopefully the subscriber's cover will be a stunner.
Cameron Diaz covers Harper's Bazaar for June and she looks amazing in Calvin Klein. It's like she never aged a minute from "There's something about Mary" and she's almost 40! I love the colours and the simplicity of the newstand cover – it's chic and sexy almost in a 90's way, no? The subscriber's cover is also beautiful. I only wish it had been in colour. It's a shame to miss out on Cameron's blue eyes!

What do you think of the covers?

Would you rather... Cate Blanchett on Harper's Bazaar UK or Interview Russia
TFS

I feel like I haven't paid any attention to magazines during the last few weeks because of crazy fashion month. Today I was walking up (sunny!) Marylebone Street and stopped to look at a newsagents shop with all the latest covers on the window. I realised I had no idea of what was going on and I proceeded to catch up with things on the Fashion Spot when I got home.
As well an as amazing new issue of Vogue Italia with Joan Smalls looking stunning, I am loving the latest Harper's Bazaar UK double cover with Cate Blanchett. She is one of the most elegant women on the planet so it's no surprise both covers. She is also at the front of the March issue of Interview Russia. A very different photograph. But I am quite keen on what the magazine it's been doing since it opened and she looks so beautiful on it.

Catch up on more magazine news at Coco's Tea Party, she's incredible at keeping on top of things!

Courtesy of Harper's Bazaar España, TFS, Models.com

Since I sort of missed the opportunity to stop and comment on each of my favourite September 2011 covers I thought I would do a roundup (and a gif).
It would be fair to say that, Vogue Paris aside, my absolute favourite is W's cover with Kristen Stewart by Mert & Marcus. It's such a different look for her –soft and girly, very pin-up– and it works so well. I love the over-the-top cat-eye makeup, the big hair and the balanced layout.
I wouldn't say that Kate Moss by Mario Testino for US Vogue has lived up to my expectations but it's still great cover. I really like the pose –a good change from Vogue's usual boring close-up crops. The purple McQueen on Kate looks incredible and is in the line of her boho-Medieval wedding style.
It's crazy to think Harper's Bazaar España has only been around for a year. They are rocking the magazine scene in Spain. Constance Jablonski looks fierce in Dsquared2 and I love the twist of her holding onto the Z.
Beyoncé's UK Harper's Bazaar and Katie Fogarty's Vogue Australia's covers are neck and neck. The cover photography is definitely September-issue worthy. They're both straight up and don't try to hard, which I appreciate.
And lastly, Flare, which I already posted a few days ago but I thought it deserved another, bigger, mention. I am struggling to get a hold of a copy in London but I will  
keep trying!

Every month I feel like the new covers come out earlier. As much as I like looking at all of them I'm often too tired by the time they hit the newstands, by which point I will only buy the handful of issues I think are really worth it.

After a few months on the up British Vogue is quickly dipping in terms of cover style. Last month's multiple royal wedding covers were as bland as can be and this month's Alexa cover genuinely looks like you've picked up a magazine a couple years old. Her editorial inside doesn't try anything new in terms of styling and photography and it's just Alexa being Alexa in Alexa clothes with Alexa hair. The only thing that saves the issue is one double-page picture by Patrick Demarchelier and styled by Lucinda Chambers in the "Let's dance" story.

Vogue should really learn from the other British fashion titles. This month's ELLE and Harper's covers are chic and spot-on. And I'm especially keen on ELLE's rotated frame on their subscriber's cover. They keep getting it absolutely right every month and it's making me want to get a subscription.

[TFS]