US versus UK Magazine Covers: October 2011

1. VOGUE

Vogue US: Hello Michelle Williams breasts! Here she is, dressed as Marilyn Monroe to promote her new movie, My Week With Marilyn. It's interesting that Vogue decided she should stay in her movie character for the shoot, but when you think about it, it makes sense since she is bombshell Marilyn Monroe. Though I personally don't think she looks very much like her, it isn't really about that. I'm excited to see the movie. For the cover, I wonder if there weren't any other more striking, dramatic shots they could have used. And I think they could have gotten away with it too, since she is dressed in character.


Vogue UK: I love this photo of Adele. I love that her flowing, bombshell-diva hair is the backdrop for the leading lines. She does look a tad bit photoshopped and unnatural, and all I see of Adele nowadays is her with pounds of make-up and false lashes. I'd love to see a more natural look on her someday. Orange and navy was a great idea for a color combination though.


WINNER: Vogue UK. I mean, wow, what an impact cover of Adele. However, I have taken a peak at Michelle William's editorial shots, and they're fantastic.


2. COSMOPOLITAN

Cosmopolitan US: Sometimes I forget how much Cosmo is about sex... I mean the word "SEX" is quite big on both covers. Minka looks very natural and pretty, though not really modeling any designer creation as far as I can tell. I could just pick up an XS yellow tank top at Old Navy. Also, the cover is a bit summery for an October shoot.

Cosmopolitan UK: Usually it's the US covers that have overcrowding lead lines, but here, this text is very overpowering. Plus, the interesting victorian-style bodysuit Fearne has on is also very busy.  Though I do like the bright lighting and edgy feel to the cover.

WINNER: Cosmo US. It's just a little less complicated.

3. GQ

GQ US: WHAT a beautiful cover. Seriously, Leo looks so classy and elegant, the styling is perfection, the colors are classic, and there are just the right amount of lead lines. He doesn't look photoshopped and there are great textures there: I'm officially in love. 


GQ UK: Surprisingly, Kirsten looks elegant, sexy and beautifully retro here instead of painfully awkward like usual. Great styling and photography. I love how GQ is behind her head like a pillow, and how modern the slim, slick, sans serif "bite me" looks in comparison to the bold fonts. It's the little details. I'm in love with the black swimsuit (undergarments?) Kirsten is wearing here.


WINNER: Really a great job by both GQ's. Seriously, this magazine is really impressing me lately. If I had to choose one thought, I think I'd go with GQ US, because there is a little too much boldness and wideness happening on UK's fonts. And Leo looks so damn sharp, I can't help myself.

4. GLAMOUR

Glamour US: Three beautiful, vibrant, shining (and most importantly, very famous) faces gracing the cover of Glamour. However, there is something about this that says "family portrait." Maybe it's the levels: Demi standing (or sitting on some kind of riser), Jennifer sitting below her, and Alicia kneeling. Also the matching white tees. And it feel's a little 90's, doesn't it? I'm not sure, there is something just not modern about it. 

Glamour UK: No matter what any of these magazines or make-up people do, Britney never looks quite put together. Her face, hair, body, clothing, in so many photos I just feel like they could have done so much more to make her look 100% fantastic. While the girls on the left look so young and fresh, Britney (who may or may not be younger than all three of them), looks worn down and her make-up looks more morning-after then rocker chick. Her hair looks a bit ratty and teased. The lead line: "WOW! Look at Britney" does not quite match with the photo. 

WINNER: Glamour US. A bit to posey, but still fresh. 

5. INSTYLE

InStyle US: I'm honestly surprised Katy Perry is on the cover of InStyle. She doesn't really seem to fit with the magazine's main demographic, but maybe that's just me. I'm not a fan of the dress, how wig-ish the pink wig looks, and the purple with pink color combination with the red lip. Nothing really seems to match or add up here.

InStyle UK: An interesting concept here... the sequined headline, matching the bright gold sequin dress. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about it, I wish I could see it with just a black background, but it's very fun. I'm game for it. Diane Kruger looks AMAZING here, so bright and like a true model. 

WINNER: InStyle UK. While nothing matches on US, UK is matching perfectly. Plus, Diana Kruger might be my style hero. Her and Joshua Jackson? Cutest thing ever. Check out their style here.

6. ELLE

Elle US: Haha, isn't this hilarious? They are both doing the exact same pose, mirrored! But the poses say very different things. Elle US is more coyish, check-me-out kind of pose. Elle UK is more high fashion, model, I-know-my-angles-and-the-shape-of-my-body kind of pose. But all I can say about Elle's styling this month is that I HATE IT. Maybe only because it is nothing and no where near what my own personal style is. But, yes, the Victoria's Secret models covered this month's Elle, so there were many cover options... this is just one.


Elle UK: Fantastic as usual. Agyness looks like a confident, striking woman with super-awesome hair. The transitioning background rose color adds so much more impact than a solid color or white. And they always put JUST the right amount of lead lines, just delicately placed here and there. The thin sans serif is so modern and clean, and I really like her elbow tucked behind the E in Elle. Once again, it's these little details that truly make a difference.


WINNER: Elle UK. Elle US makes me want to run for the hills. Elle UK makes me want to buy the magazine and look at more beautiful shots like the cover.

7. ESQUIRE

Esquire US: I had the marvelous pleasure of hearing Esquire's editor-in-chief, David Granger, speak at my university two weeks ago or so. He was a very sharply-dressed, confident and humorous man. He showed us many of Esquire's past covers with their self-proclaimed "wall of words" which I have always adored. Here, the wall of words has been blown off the wall by an explosion. I'm not going to say, like I did last month, that Esquire is losing a bit of its class... but there is just something that isn't there anymore. It had such a classy, debonair yet fun and edgy style going for it. Now, I'm not sure.


Esquire UK: I am livid I cannot find the newsstand cover of the newly redesigned Esquire UK EVER, ANYWHERE. If you try and google it, there might be a tiny photo of it somewhere, it's red and looks like an actual cover. Anyway, here is Colin Farrell buying worms to go fishing I think? I like the photo quality, the vintage feel, and the very simple, black headline. Nice and minimalist.


WINNER: Esquire UK. What a contrast-- something so in-your-face compared with something so incredibly simple.


8. HARPER'S BAZAAR

Harper's Bazaar US: Okay, one thing I do appreciate here, is HB US doing something creative and slightly edgy for their cover, when normally they never do. Apparently this is Lady Gaga with no make up, but I'm not sure why she looks so strange with her mouth open. Plus, the usual GIGANTIC text overpowering my life.

Harper's Bazaar UK: I. Am. In. Love. With. This. Cover. How could I not, it's the British issue for god's sake! First of all Alexa Chung is my true hero, and the '60s British mod look is one of my favorite styles of all time-- and Alexa looks perfect in it. The lighting is so warm and inviting, the make up and natural hair is divine, and the lead lines are perfection. "the British issue" is just the right size and in a perfect place for people to pay attention to it.

WINNER: Harper's Bazaar UK. 

9. MARIE CLAIRE

Marie Claire US: Oh no. Two of my absolute favorite celebrities/actresses here. Reese Witherspoon looks so perfect here-- the messy hair, smokey eye and light pink lace top all just goes together so well. The vintage quality and lighting to the photo, plus the color combination of that wonderful shade of pink, plus white and black is great.


Marie Claire UK: I love Keira. Both magazines have similar color palettes also, which is interesting. I think this cover is way too text heavy on the left side, making it very unbalanced. Plus Keira may be at an awkward length away from the camera. I feel like they could have zoomed in more to her face, or zoomed out to show her body to make the photo more interesting. 


WINNER: Marie Claire US. Reese wins this time with her perfect hair. 

TIME TO TALLY UP THE SCORES:

US: 4

UK: 5

And it goes to the British, same score as last month! I loved writing about this month's covers. Most were really impressive, had really great people who I look up to on them, and I was entertained by how similar some magazines were to their British or American counterparts: Elle with the similar poses, Harper's Bazaar with the close ups, and Marie Claire's similar color palettes.

Anyway, here is my favorite for the month:

...and the marvelous editorial. Love the black and white shots.

So perfect. Ugh, I just love it too much, take me to London now! Do you have a favorite for the month?

--Raquel x