After seeing the last cover of Vogue's American edition, I knew I had to write a little about this.
Apart from the fact that Anna Wintour is an icon that we may or may not like, I'm not going to write about her directly...just about the magazine, or I should say some of the last issues of it...I could keep going, because Vogue's history is quite long now, but I think this brief analysis of some of the facts that make me feel this love/hate thing about American Vogue are quite representative.
Ok...I HATE Vogue's last covers. That's it. I can't stand them. They don't make me want to buy the magazine. I don't even like them around in the house. I would cover them with a giant sticker or something.
What happened? They used to be quite good (although I prefer Paris Vogue or Vogue Italia's covers by far...).
Many people say that they don't like the fact that there are always actresses on them lately. I personally don't care that much...as long as they look good.
Because they don't. They don't look as beautiful and stylish as they usually are...why?? I can't understand it. It's a fashion magazine, with the best photographers, graphists, make up artists, hairdressers, and a bunch of other excellent professionals...And things like these have been happening a lot lately:
The last Vogue's cover, November 2008: Reese Witherspoon. I don't find her especially stylish or attractive, but I do think she has charm, and a sweet attitude that was totally ignored here. Instead of it, she looks older and has a strange expression in her face. ANd you can't say anything about her clothes. This is a fall issue...and I can't see "fall" anywhere here. It makes me think of Mediterranean summer or of the USA flag (a bit too obvious, the elections are in November, but I wouldn't have used those colours). Apart from that, the "other" major figure here is Olivier Theyskens, who appears with Reese in some of the photos in the editorial inside. Ok, well, I can't see Olivier's touch anywhere in that technicolor cover.
May 2008: Gwyneth Paltrow. What can I say about this infamous cover? It's unspeakable. Still a mistery for me. The bizarre position of her body. The horrible background. Colours that don't work well together. Her face looks creepy. The hair. Well...and, of course...the helmet.
September 2008: Keira Knightley. The background, again. I don't think those red letters match at all with the whole thing...But the top doesn't match at all with the trousers and belt either...Again, her face looks strange, I don't know what is it, but it does (maybe the Photoshop retoucher hates Keira or something?). And...why didn't they comb her hair?? At this point, I'm not even asking for a nice hairstyle...but, please, at least comb her hair.What do you think?
With this, I'm not saying that I hate American Vogue, of course...but I think covers are important, and they are just not working lately, apart from other things that are not working either...and I have to say that I know that advertising is basic here. But that September issue just had too many ads. It was ridiculous.
What I love about Mrs. Wintour's beloved magazine?
Many many many things...but from them, I should say that they have created some of the moest elegant, sofisticated and stylish editorials in fashion history.
I had to choose one, and although I remember some fabulous ones made by Annie Leibowitz (remember "Alice in Wonderland" editorial with Natalia Vodianova, back in 2003?), I'm choosing one from October 2008 issue...just to keep it to the last months too.
It was photographed by Patrick Demarchelier, and the editor was legendary and fabulous Grace Coddington. It was a hommage to Haute Couture, but not only for the dresses and designers...it was a hommage for all those who make, too, the crazy fashion dream of Haute Couture come true...of course, they are the tailors, dressmakers, all the couture tecnicians that work hours and hours for that...for dreams like these wonderful creations.
I love it!
Christian Lacroix
Givenchy
Dior
Jean Paul Gaultier
Chanel
