US versus UK: Magazine Covers, August 2011

What's this? You forgot Eloise even existed? Ahh, I almost did for a moment too, things have been unbelievably busy. I'm so late on this August magazine post that I'm sure you have all seen these covers by now. But if not, here they are for you. Compared and put to the test, hopefully paired with some insightful comments from yours truly. Design contest--- GO!


1. VOGUE

Vogue US: I absolutely adore the Burberry coat, and I'm so glad Vogue decided to use it in the cover photo. However, Sarah Jessica Parker looks a little too posed for me. As if she is standing with friends in a facebook picture. I like a little more movement, or the illusion of movement in a cover photo, as if she was captured in a moment. I know it's not fair to ask our actresses and celebrities to ALSO be models, but unfortunately (or fortunately depending how you look at it), it's a part of the job.


Vogue UK: The first thing I notice is the "G" is gone from Vogue. I know her head is right there, so it shouldn't matter, but for some reason it does to me. Like Vogue US's, I think I might prefer all of the text to be behind the head, having Kate pop out a bit.


WINNER: Vogue UK just has wonderfully soft, beautiful atmosphere made up, and Kate Moss looks absolutely perfect with her hair, make up, and dress. I just feel more invited to look inside with the gorgeous colors!

2. COSMOPOLITAN

Cosmopolitan US: Another sultry cover of Kim Kardashian.. yawn. The thing about this cover is on the magazine stand it was actually pretty dark and overly shadowed. (Also I'm very intrigued on the article about "How to Outsmart a Bitch." Interesting..)

Cosmopolitan UK: Wearing the exact same outfit as Cosmopolitan from July. Surely it's a reprint, but they smartly used a different photo from the shoot. It just seems very busy with the print along with a ton of teasers of varying fonts.

WINNER: Cosmopolitan US. Simplicity is always better than a busybody cover.

3. GQ

GQ US: GQ always manages to work props seamlessly into a photograph and give it a lot of great visual interest. Mila Kunis looks very sexy, but also cute instead of sleazy. She looks radiant, fresh and young-- which I think appeals to male and female readers (if it's not just me...). 


GQ UK: Ominous-looking Charlie Sheen. I know it's meant to look like a noir 1950's film or something, but now Sheen just gives me the creeps. Design-wise the heavy, thick block text  just weighs it all down-- as if Charlie didn't hinder it enough.


WINNER: GQ US. Would you rather read and see pictures of cute, bubbly Mila Kunis? Or creepy, dark, heavy-hearted photos of Charlie Sheen? Polar opposites. 

4. GLAMOUR

Glamour US: Heidi Klum looks so young and vibrant! Glamour is great with bright cover photos that make me want to look inside and find out what they did to the cover model to make her look so great! Just a wonderful, clean-cut cover.

Glamour UK: What... is that dress? Jessie J even looks a little sickly in the face, especially compared to Heidi. The wild dress, the huge earrings, the blunt bangs and haircut is all just too much. 

WINNER: Glamour US. Klum altogether has a more appealing and inviting look.

5. INSTYLE

InStyle US: When I was looking this cover over I initially thought it was quite pleasant! And it still is, I mean I really like the one shoulder dress, but then I saw her teaser line "Katie Holmes" was on her hair. Now I can't NOT notice it. 


InStyle UK: Nicole Scherzinger looks pretty uh-mazing. Really great monochromatic styling- professional while maintaining a high fashion edge. I think her hair and make-up are so perfect for this look. An interesting choice with the light purple accent color, but it so works since it goes with her style and look.  It's so minimal in the best way!


WINNER: InStyle UK. It makes such a greater impact.

6. ELLE

Elle US: There is just something great about natural light in a cover photo that seriously brightens it up. (Even though in reality it might not have been completely natural lighting, but it looks real enough to me.) A very romantic-looking moment captured between them, like a modern fairytale. (Obsessed with her hair by the way!)


Elle UK: There are the stars again, just like Jessie J's dress. However, these stars look less obnoxious  and much more flattering, whimsical, and fashionable. I am absolutely in love with Lily Allen and she always does a good job with modeling for magazines. I adore the vintage look with her big, curly hair, dark eyebrows, and big eyes. 


WINNER: Really hard one this time! After sitting here for 10 minutes I think I'll go with Elle US. I can't get over the warm lighting and atmosphere the photo puts me in.

7. ESQUIRE

Esquire US: Messy, messy, messy. Yes, they made it into a joke, what with the "When is this cover due?" etc, but it's a little too lacking in effort for me. I mean, I'm totally OK with designs with handwritten font because it's fun and different from the norm, so maybe it's this selected type that makes it a little too sloppy.


Esquire UK: Firstly, what is that line going down her chest? Is that just a crease in her skin, or part of the dress? I'm loving the design-- the bright, bold, modernized 60s look going on here, but so far these girl cover models all look like they are trying way too hard. Take a peak at their June issue. Nothing is natural about what's happening here!


WINNER: Esquire UK, because it simply looks more put together and the design is easier on the eyes.

8. HARPER'S BAZAAR

Harper's Bazaar US: GIGANTIC TEXT! Truly a cover for blind people. If it got any bigger I wouldn't even be able to see Anne Hathaway. When will they realize? And they never have the cover model DO anything interesting! Just stand there and smile. 


Harper's Bazaar UK: Fantastic as usual, blowing US out of the water. Truly a fashion photography shot. Text is sparse, never over-powering, and now we can focus on Emma Watson's pretty face!


WINNER: Harper's Bazaar UK o' course!

9. MARIE CLAIRE

Marie Claire US: A very smooth, sleek cover for Marie Claire. I love how bright it is and the deep dark shadow behind her to make Olivia really pop off of the page. Lovely tiny text and big fonts for important points only!


Marie Claire UK: What a really fun and different cover! Though I'm not crazy for such a shockingly vibrant pink/purple accent color, (a little too reminiscent of the 80's for me), it's still very fun and fresh. 


WINNER: I think I'll go the unconventional route and pick Marie Claire UK! Side by side, UK is just more inviting for me. Audrey looks very friendly while Olivia looks a little more intimidating.

FINAL TALLY:

US: 4

UK: 5

Lovely! Though none of them I absolutely fell in love with, here is more favorite of the month:

Okay, not the most interesting cover story photos ever, but I did love her GQ cover shot. 

Which is your favorite for the month?