Las nuevas ladies

You all know how fussy I am about magazine covers. I find it hard not only to like who's on the cover but I'm picky about the specific shot used. I am also extremely critical of how much text covers the picture in question. Well, the November issue of Vogue España is what I consider a perfect cover. Caroline Trentini, Iselin Sterio, Anne V, Toni Garrn and Kasla Struss show how it's models and not celebrities that belong in the opening page of Vogue. I love the kind of pyramidal composition and the neutral background with the right amount of black and white text evenly spread on top, bottom and sides. All of it shot by Patrick and Victor Demarchelier and styled by the amazing Belén Antolín, Vogue España's fashion director. I haven't yet bought a copy of the magazine because I am flying back to Spain the weekend after next but I can't wait to have it in my hands.

I know it's a weird thing to think but this issue almost feels like September. As if Vogue España has made of it more than just another volume of the magazine. It would be great if each version of Vogue picked their own month to create their best issue of the year. I'd love to collect random Vogue international editions. Crazy rant over. Enjoy this really fun video of the making of the November issue.

I'm off.

[Pictures: TFS]

Let the supermodels return

It's funny how, over the last decade, celebrities have taken over the covers of fashion magazines in such a way that it strikes as a surprise when they use an über-famous model for the instead. Christy Turlington, my favourite model from the 90's, covers Vogue Italia's July issue in a look very much in line with the 50's inspiration for Prada's and Marc Jacobs' FW10 collections. The colours are beautiful but the cover is scarily autumnal for a July issue. I always feel like summer is the season we enjoy the least in terms of fashion because by the time we're happy with what we have and have got around combining the pieces it is too late and jackets need to be brought out.

If you're asking yourself why do I find this cover special, the answer is very simple. If you look about 20 years back, when the faces on the Vogue covers were those of supermodels (no celebrities then), you will also notice how the pictures always had neutral backgrounds that let the pictures stand out and they included very little writing. It always irritates me when Vogue spoils their beautiful covers with all the information that should instead go on the contents page. A cover is to be enjoyed, which is why I love Vogue Italia's cover, it is modern and classic, just like them.

What do you think of the cover writing? Do you mind it?
I'm off.

[Pictures: Vogue.it, coverbrowser.com]