Rihanna covers the latest American Vogue
TFS

I haven't been this happy about the cover of American Vogue since Emma Stone was featured back in the July issue. And I am so glad that Rihanna is partly responsible for my joy. Her last American Vogue cover was so awkward and the Vogue UK one that followed wasn't much of an improvement, which is a shame because I think Ri-ri would be a stylist's dream as she is super chameleonic but her personality always comes through. And they've finally managed that in this shot by Annie Leibovitz.

The signer models a red-hot Valentino (cooked) lace dress from the Resort 2012 collection. It looks absolutely amazing with the matching lips, the smoky eyes and the short hairdo she's sporting these days of which I'm a great fan. But, mostly, I love the fact that this cover reminds me of a Vogue Nippon story featuring Daria Werbowy back in 2009. If Vogue can keep this sort of slicker and edgier feel on their upcoming covers I would totally start buying the magazine again.

Keira Knightley covers the latest American Vogue
Vogue.com

A preview of Keira Knightley's latest American Vogue cover came out a few days so I had enough time to make up my mind about it. And I love it!

Styled by Grace Coddington in  mostly couture and shot by Mario Testino, Keira looks amazing in her Chanel lace dress and cuffed silver gloves (very Karl!). The magazine is back to their close crops for cover images but this one really works. It's the mix of the luxurious look and the more casual pose that really make it great.

The story inside, which I hope is longer than what we can see online, is as beautiful as it is simple as most of the shots are just in a studio. It's about the couture pieces on Kiera, who is probably one of the best celebrities in the world to rock any of them.

What do you think of the cover?

Vogue’s Stylish Faces and Talents of the Moment
Vogue.com

If you manage to get past the cover, the September issue of American Vogue has lots and lots of great content inside. And, as usual, Vogue.com is running a lot of brilliant content in parallel. A good example is their latest feature: "The Vogue 120: The Stylish Singers, Designers, Actors, Models, and More (Under 45) of the Moment" all shot by Norman Jean Roy.
Not only the photography and compositions are stunning but it's so interesting to see who Vogue sees as the influencers of fashion at the moment. My favourite, for several reasons, out of all of them is this one entitled 'The Socials' featuring: Vanessa Traina, Jenna Courtin-Clarins, Prisca Courtin-Clarins, Virginie Courtin-Clarins, Claire Courtin-Clarins, Lauren Santo Domingo, Shala Monroque, Alexia Niedzielski, Lily Kwong, and Elizabeth von Guttman described as "the new breed of social slasher: Editors, entrepreneurs, artists, eco-warriors, models, advocates for social change, these women do it all and do it with style, inspiring the designers with their original approach to fashion, from the immaculate to the irreverent".
Check the whole story here and watch the video of the making of here.

Lady Gaga covers the September issue of American Vogue
TFS

I was so shocked when I saw the September cover of American Vogue this morning. At first, I thought it was just fan art – someone had photoshopped Lady Gaga's face, the September cover star, onto a dress and added some copy around it. After checking Vogue.com I realised I was in the wrong, this was the actual cover.
I don't know quite where to begin. Let's start with the only two good things about the cover, perhaps. It has a very contemporary feel that American Vogue has been missing for a while now. And the layout is a lot cleaner than it usually is, there is no feeling of clutter. But everything else is all over the place.
The Mert & Marcus cover image is so incredibly retouched I am still wondering whether any of the body we see belongs to Gaga or if they have just photoshopped her face onto it. The highlights and shading have been done in such an amateur way it's embarrassing. As is the crappy red waving banner on the Vogue title. Not only it doesn't make any sense aesthetically but the unnatural colour takes away from the effect that the purple gown should have instead.

What do you think of the cover?

Marion Cotillard steals the August covers
TFS, Courtesy of Glamour España

Just as it happened last month with Emma Stone, Marion Cotillard has taken over the August issue cover of some of the most important fashion magazines around the globe. There seems to be a common thread that links them, which is how natural Marion looks. Something similar happened with Emma – these are not women who enjoy (or need) too much photoshop or makeup.
The first to come out was the WSJ magazine with its avant-gard feel. They've been doing such a great job lately – remember this incredible cover? Vogue Paris followed shortly afterwards. I received the issue yesterday morning and it's simply incredible how stunning such a simple idea can be. I was pleased but surprised to also find her on the cover of American Vogue because they always seem to have the exclusive way ahead of everyone. I liked how they kept things simple although I would have appreciated some copy editing on the cover. Glamour Spain went for a more young and sexy take but it's amazing how natural it feels to Cotillard. ELLE South Africa captured her best, in my opinion. She looks effortlessly beautiful, fresh and natural. And I love the contrast of the casual pose and the super chic red dress.
Which one is your favourite Marion Cotillard cover?

Emma Stone steals the July covers
TFS, Courtesy of Glamour Spain

When I said Emma Stone is having a moment I really meant it. It's a bit annoying that she needed a film like Spiderman to get the attention from certain audiences because she was amazing in films like Easy A or The Help. This week, many magazines have unveiled their July issue covers and as it turns out Emma is on many of them.

The first one was obviously the American Vogue cover, which is so far still my favourite. Then it was New York Magazine. I love this cover because I think it really captures the goofy character that made Emma famous in the first place. It's just really cute.

Teen Vogue chose her and on and off-screen boyfriend Andrew Garfield (who incidentally is one of the best dressed guys at the moment). Who wouldn't want to buy this cover? You want to look like them. You want to be them. I want this issue!

Glamour Spain also featured Stone at the front of their latest issue. This cover looks familiar, you might say. And you'd be right because that same Patrick Demarchelier picture covered last year's August issue of Vanity Fair. Another example of this editorial recycling that fascinates me so much.

Emma Stone covers the latest American Vogue
TFS

So it turns out we really didn't have to wait until tomorrow to see Emma Stone's American Vogue cover in HQ.
I have either been dissing or ignoring the American Bible for the most part of this year because it really plays it safe sometimes. It is a shame because it used to be one of my favourite magazines. And it ¡'s exactly issues like this – July 2012 – that remind me why.
Mario Testino shot an absolutely Stunning Emma Stone for the latest issue. The background is soft and looks great against the sexy Nina Ricci ensemble on Stone. This semi see-through black lace is not often seen at the front of American Vogue... and I love it! Emma's face is flawless, of course. I really like how they've brought our her eyes between the background colour and the eye makeup.
The editorial inside is also quite interesting. There's a quirky theme going on that makes me think of stories from Vogue Italia. Anna is really going European on this issue. My favourites are her in Prada, in a lovely Versus number, and two super sexy looks – one by Givenchy and the other by Jil Sander.

What do you think of the cover?

June cover swimwear face-off: Vogue Deutsch vs. Vogue US
TFS

Yesterday American Vogue released their June cover and editorial centred around the London Olympics. Hope Solo, Ryan Lochte and Serena Williams shot by Annie Leibovitz jog on the beach for 'Team USA'. Vogue Germany also released their June cover featuring the beautiful CArolyn Murphy shot by Alexi Lubomirski.

I don't even know where to begin with the American Vogue cover... The picture is so gimmicky and unnatural i just can't deal. It's almost like the conservative version of a Men's Health cover. I just don't understand how it was so difficult to come up with a fun and clever concept for a sports issue, especially if you consider that so many of the new collections are so heavy with sportswear elements. The colours are also a bit dull (even the sea!) and the swimsuits (very Michael Kors) are super dated.

Vogue Deutsch, however, celebrates their love for summer, curves, fashion and stars with a stunning shot, great styling and amazing colours that really evoke the new season.

Are these covers the most boring of the year?

I am not a very hard person to get excited about new magazine covers. Even American Vogue, which I might not always agree with on cover choices, always surprises me a bit. Vogue Paris has always been my favourite and I seem to always understand with what they do on their covers.
However, the May issues of both magazines have been released this week and I can't say I'm impressed. I don't know whether to blame Mario Testino, who shot both covers, or whether it's May's fault. No one ever seems to do anything special on the May issue because the actual summer wear is in the June issue. And then we have July and August, which come as one issue in a lot of cases and they start introducing FW – with the famous "La rentrée" issue.
In any case, I am so bored by both covers – Vogue Paris' cover with Laetitia Casta is pretty and, I suppose, chic but there is no vibe, not even interesting styling. And the same goes for Scarlett Johansson on the cover of American Vogue. Once you manage to find Scarlett's face amongst the heaps of copy it is really disappointing – she looks very dated/vintage. I understand that the 1950's are in fashion but couldn't they do it in a contemporary way?

Adele covers the March issue of American Vogue
Vogue.com

Anna Wintour can see the future. How else would you explain the fact that Adele's first US Vogue cover was released early today, perfectly timed with the singer's utter success last night at the Grammys? Adele picked up five awards then: Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, and Best Short Form Music.
The cover, shot by Mert & Marcus, looks quite a lot like a British Vogue one though it isn't nearly as bad as that one. I like the fact that it's a bigger body shot. And her face looks really beautiful but I find the pose and the hair too unnatural. Still, I love the fact that someone who is not a sample size can be the front of the biggest fashion magazine in the world.
The editorial inside, which you can see here, isn't very original (it's by Mert & Marcus) but it's truly beautiful. Speaking of which, I will post later today my favourite looks from the BAFTAs and the Grammys and I looks like Queen A is competing for a place. She looked incredible last night with a shorter hair do that really suited her and a sparkly black gown.

What do you think of the cover?

Michelle William's Marilyn covers: Vogue US vs. Vogue Germany

It's been a great last few months in terms of magazine covers for Michelle Williams. First it was the sweet Interview cover in May, then the American Vogue cover shot by Annie Leibovitz for the October issue and then the fun ELLE UK cover in the Prada dress. She is now at the front of the latest issue of Vogue Germany. It's fair to say that American Vogue is usually first in tapping celebrities to cover the magazine but they don't necessarily do it the best way. I loved their October front because it had a much more different feel that the previous ones of the year but I feel like the new Vogue Germany captures the essence of Michelle as Marilyn a lot better, no? I also really like the layout that reminds me a lot of the older Vogues. I guess that's how the real Marilyn would have covered Vogue too.
What do you think?

Meryl Streep covers the new American Vogue
Vogue.com

I can not tell you how happy I am to see Meryl Streep on the cover of the January issue of American Vogue! Meryl is, to me, the greatest living actress. Wether she plays Miranda Priestly in "The Devil Wears Prada", Sophie in "Sophie's choice"or Francesca in "The Bridges of Madison County" she always nails her roles and brings a character depth not many people are capable of. Her upcoming role of Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady" is the 'excuse' to grace the front of the American bible.

I love that there's less Mario Testino and more Annie Leibovitz covers, especially in this case. She is a great choice to shoot a woman who has become iconic for great work and natural beauty. In a world driven by photoshopped models and endless layers of make up it's so refreshing to see Meryl look so great and so 'raw' at her 62 years. I also love the location –a grey day at the beach–, which ties the cover to last month's Charlize Theron one, and the styling –there is such a Carolina Herrera vibe to this look.

Do you love it too?

Vogue.com

As usual, I am having mixed feelings about the latest Vogue cover. Charlize Theron, styled by Camilla Nickerson and shot by Annie Leibovitz covers the December issue with a marine theme not far from what Largerfeld did with Florence for his SS12 Chanel show.

 Charlize looks stunning on the cover. I love the fact that this feels a bit more relaxed and cheerful than what Anna usually does for the front picture. The hair and makeup are super natural, as is the pose and I love that she's actually in the water. My only problem with it is the dress, which I guess suits the theme but fails to make anything interesting for the cover.

The shoot inside, however, is simply beautiful. My favourite picture is the one of Theron in the McQueen dress standing on a rock with the waves breaking on it. It reminds me a lot of the famous 'The Birth of Venus' by Boticelli. I also really like the other two pictures of her in Marchesa and Salvatore Ferragamo. But I don't get the one of her in Christopher Kane swimming under water. It's just too artificial.

Click here to go to our Facebook page and see the whole story.

TFS

I love the Olsens. In fact, I love them so much I would become a mormon so I could marry both. But you didn't need to know that, right?
I love their style almost as much –or is that part of the reason why I love them in the first place?– so I am thrilled to see them covering the latest special issue of Vogue Best Dressed.
I am loving the little Chantilly lace veils that sort of remind me of that great picture of them from a few years ago for Numéro Tokyo wearing the lacy Maison Michel bunny ears.
My only complaint about this cover is the fact that below their 'dynamic duos' section they've included Kate and Pippa Middleton. Seriously? What does dynamic duo even mean here? People move if they're alive so it's a good thing they're dynamic.

Also this week Net-a-Porter released their latest magazine featuring a special piece about The Row alongside a video where MK and Ashley explain what are the foundations of their brand and describe each other's style. They're just so cute and elegant and cool. Click here to watch the video.

TFS

We already saw a preview of the cover over the weekend and I knew I would be happy with this one. Rooney Mara, shot by Mert & Marcus and styled by Tonne Goodman, covers the November issue of American Vogue. This is exactly what I would like the magazine to always look like –elegant and slick, with an edge.

I think the choice of Rooney for the cover is both expected and unexpected –the first because she already covered W and she stars in a blockbuster, and the latter because she doesn't have the typical look American Vogue usually has on the cover.

Tonne has done an excellent job on the styling. The cover dress, a black Ralph Lauren dress from the F/W11 collection, has that subtle sophistication you need for a cover garment and I love the dragon detail on the back, no matter what other people might think, it's witty.

The editorial inside (click below on read more to see) is even better. It's very much inspired by the work of John Everett Millais  and the Pre-Raphaelite movement. As tired as I've been of Mert & Marcus lately, I must say they've nailed this shoot. The way they always use colour is just right in this case. I am officially obsessed with this issue!

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!

[Vogue.com]

If you read Know Wear often you'll be really aware of how I haven't been too happy with the last few American Vogue covers in terms of photography, crops, styling, layout... Well, I can finally say that I love this one!

Emma Watson covers the July issue shot by Mario Testino and styled by Camilla Nickerson. Everything about the cover and the story inside is absolutely spot-on. The burgundy and orange work brilliantly together and feel both summery and sophisticated. The headlines, while still overpowering, have been reduced in number and increased in size, which somehow works quite well. The hair and makeup are stunning and slick. I particularly like the intensity of the lips, which are the centre of attention in the picture, and the very subtle eye shadow.

The editorial inside follows the same line. Very intense colours and quite a lot of metallics. I am in love with the Tom Ford chain-mail top and the brass feather skirt just as much as with the Prada paillette dress. These choices seem quite edgy for the American bible, something that makes me very happy and gives me hope for future issues.
Check out the whole shoot here.

I know it's quite a normal thing to do for the smaller editions of big-name magazines to recycle the covers and editorials of the more influential titles. There shouldn't be a reason not to. After all, not that many people buy more than their country's version of Vogue so they wouldn't know whether it's new content or not.

Vogue India has used Annie Leibovitz's shot of Rihanna for American Vogue from back in April for their latest June issue. You would think that there isn't much that can be changed but you'd be wrong. Even though I still don't like the very awkward pose I think the picture works much better on the Vogue India cover. It's a slightly wider crop, which makes it feel less stuffy and the amount of writing has been reduced, so there's plenty of space. They have used a red title instead of the gold/bronze the American version used. I love that they have because it enhances Ri-ri's hair and it makes the cover feel a lot more summery.
Which one do you prefer?

[TFS]

No one is as surprised as I am by the fact that I'm posting about Penélope Cruz. I am not her biggest fan but when something's fair, it is fair.

There has been a lot of fuss on the Fashion Spot forums about her cover of American Vogue for the June issue. Yes, it is a massive deal to be featured on it and I am the first one not only to admit that but to join in its praise. Despite the crowded text and the unoriginal close-up crop of the picture the Mario Testino picture makes a brilliant cover.

My favourite thing about it is how young and fresh Pe (as they call her in Spain) looks. I love the really light make up and the fact that you can see her freckles. The hair is casual and there is barely any clothes in the shot. It's becautiful simple photography and it's all about her incredible brown eyes and the amazing lips.

To top it all, Pe looked smashing at the London premiere of the new 'Pirates of the Caribbean' film in a white Givenchy dress. I love the classy feel that the long sleeves give it but there is an edge and a flirty factor introduced by the front slit and the perpendicular zips.

I can't wait to see the rest of the Mario pictures inside and I am excited for what's to come at the red carpet.

[JustJared, TFS]

It seems the May issue of American Vogue is full of fashion jewels. If Reese Witherspoon's beautiful editorial by Peter Lindbergh wasn't enough, Anna also decided to include an even more stunning story by Bruce Weber.

The concept for the shoot is supposed to be Natalia posing with all these Hollywood young talent. To be honest, no one really caught my attention apart from Chloë Morezt, Hailee Steinfeld and Elle Fanning posing with Natalia, in Oscar de la Renta, before bedtime. And that's what makes Bruce Weber so great. He's got the cinematic quality of Annie Leibovitz but he tells his stories in a more documentary glossy way.

I couldn't find a styling credit anywhere. Wouldn't it be great if Anna herself had done it? After all, Natalia is wearing her Balenciaga Pre-Fall dress in one of the pictures.

[Vogue.com, Style.com]