US versus UK Magazine Covers: September 2011

1. VOGUE

Vogue US: I read somewhere online that Vogue did a very safe cover for their September issue by using Kate Moss. I'm not entirely sure if I agree. If using Kate Moss as a cover girl has become the boring norm, then something is wrong with the world. Lovely dramatic dress and great colors.

Vogue UK: I adore this cover. It's so edgy and dramatic with the flashy dress and visible movement. So for this showdown, it's flowy versus flashy. The only thing that kind of bothers me is that I'm not a huge fan of her face replacing the "G" in VOGUE and being hidden behind it. 

WINNER: Vogue UK. It has such a greater impact for me personally, but they are both really great.

2. COSMOPOLITAN

Cosmopolitan US: What did Dianna Agron do to her hair?? How sad... She looks 20 years older with that hair, I can barely recognize her. Other than that, an OK cover.

Cosmopolitan UK: What... is Fergie doing? The arms? If that is a dance move, it is a very interesting one. She looks very bright and radiant, though. The movement she is creating I would normally say makes the cover more exciting... but not if I'm feeling awkward looking at it.

WINNER: Cosmopolitan US. Not just because of Ferg's awkward arms, but it looks cleaner with less crowded text.

3. GQ

GQ US: I finally got my GQ in the mail this month! And it truly is lovely, GQ is an amazing magazine with some really fantastic designs. Also, when I left this magazine out on my dresser the other day my roommate from California saw it and told me she went to school with Mark Sanchez! (I had no idea who he was, but the football helps). Anyway, good cover except I think the green may be too green. Like St. Patrick's Day green.


GQ UK: A majority of the text on this cover is very bolded and thick. It's kind of weighing it down for me. I mean, Bar looks fantastic, but the text-to-photo-impact ratio is just too close for comfort. I need something to dominate this cover.


WINNER: GQ US. Just a fresh, great impact cover.

4. GLAMOUR

Glamour US: many many months in a row have passed with Rihanna gracing at least one cover. I'm not sure what this intense fascination the magazine world is having with her, but I'm not a fan of her personal style myself... Still, a nice, bright cover.

Glamour UK: I actually saw this magazine just today in the bookstore, and it's tiny! A mini-magazine. Like Teen Vogue size-ish, if that gives you some reference. I really like the orange color with that shade of blue, but there is something about the dress + her pose + her hair that is giving off a gothic middle schooler vibe to me. She kind of looks like a kid, to me anyway. I'm not sure...

WINNER: Both have a little too many lead lines here; it's looking a little crowded. But Glamour US kind of has the whole package for me here, more than UK.

5. INSTYLE

 

InStyle US: Stars are apparently a trend that is happening now. This cover and Anne Hatheway's below both have stars. I like the cover, especially the dress which is so glitz and glam like Beyonce, but I think the added stars sprinkled on the cover are a little unnecessary. It looks kind of kiddish to me.


InStyle UK: With Freida lying down on the ground at that angle with a black lacy dress on, and her expression, it's all a little to vampish for me. At least try and do something exciting with the hair or make-up.


WINNER: InStyle US, despite the scattered stars.

6. ELLE

Elle US: For their very important September cover, Elle decided to go with actress, singer, cookbook-writer Gwyneth Paltrow. The decided to do a VERY minimalist wardrobe, very classic and simple. I usually LOVE this sort of thing, because I think that is close to my personal style, but is it a little too simple for a September cover, which is supposed to be the guidebook of fashion trends for the year? I peeked at the editorial, and the rest of her wardrobe is very simple and more artistic photographs.  Maybe it would be better if the backdrop wasn't so au natural as well.


Elle UK: Adore this cover. I'm a huge Kirsten Dunst fan, I love her blonde hair and her whole look. The flowers are very editorial-esque. Also, less bold, skinny, bold, unreadable lead lines that make me cringe on US.


WINNER: Elle UK.


7. ESQUIRE 

Esquire US: I'm getting kind of worried. Esquire is losing it's edge, it's powerhouse covers that commanded men's magazine. Two Ryan Gosling's? Though it might be a teenage girl's dream, it isn't mine. Just strange... However, I do like the font used for Ryan's name.


Esquire UK: Okay, for some reason it's impossible to find the newsstand cover of Esquire UK anywhere! But if you can just peek at the small photo to the right, the bright blue cover with the darker blue circle filled with text, I believe that's it. I love the close frame on Daniel Craig and the bold colors.  


WINNER: Esquire UK: sorry you can't see it better!


8. HARPER'S BAZAAR

Harper's Bazaar US: Gigantic text, saying basically the same stuff as always, every month. Other then that, Lea actually looks very nice. A very quality photo.


Harper's Bazaar UK: Looking so fierce, so edgy, so Beyonce-- this cover is perfection. Very high fashion, like usual, with small text that actually changes every month.


WINNER: Harper's Bazaar UK.

9. MARIE CLAIRE

Marie Claire US: Great colors with fun boxes, circles, and shapes. However, I don't know if it's Sarah Jessica Parker aging, but the eye make-up just does no favors.


Marie Claire UK: I did read an article about this cover somewhere, how some people hate it because of the dress with the stars all over it. Someone said it reminded them of pajamas, nothing fashionable at all. Actually, I kind of like it! In fact, I LOVE this cover! Anne's make-up is perfection, she looks so naturally pretty, especially with her light brown hair. I love pink as the accent color (and I don't say that very often). It's just beautiful.


WINNER: Marie Claire UK. In love!

FINAL TALLY:

US: 4

UK: 5

And here we go, my favorite of the month:

Vogue UK's editorial was Arizona Muse and Freja Beha Erichsen working together to star in an Old Master- inspired shoot, photographed by Mario Testino.

A very interesting editorial, that's for sure. Which magazine had your favorite, all-important, September issue?