It’s no secret that due to the ongoing global health crisis, magazines have been hit hard. Despite the best efforts of editors to keep our favorite glossies afloat, there have been some changes. Which translated to historic moments down at newsstands when it came to 2021 magazine covers.
Condé Nast streamlined operations. Editions of Vogue now share content as a cost-cutting exercise resulting in some being left unable to produce localized content. Nevertheless, we encountered back-to-back British Vogue covers photographed by forum favorite Steven Meisel. Anna Wintour also appears to be shaking things up over at American Vogue with 14 of the magazine’s 20 cover stars never gracing the fashion bible before. Not to mention Emmanuelle Alt departing Vogue Paris on a high note with the unveiling of the title’s landmark 100th anniversary issue.
Meanwhile Samira Nasr continues to find her footing at American Harper’s Bazaar. Laura Brown’s InStyle remains one of the most buzzworthy publications. Michelle Lee helped Allure celebrate 30 years in print. At i-D, Alastair McKimm’s mission to reinstate the magazine as one of the most cutting-edge publications appears to be working.
From overuse of Photoshop on Madonna’s cover of V Magazine to Iman gracing British Harper’s Bazaar to diversity reigning supreme at British Vogue, here are the best and worst magazine covers of 2021.
Best and Worst Magazine Covers 2021
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HIT: British Harper's Bazaar February 2021 Iman by Paola Kudacki
For most fashion titles, diversity isn't always on the agenda. But British Harper's Bazaar really delivered back in February dropping a stellar set of covers featuring modeling icon Iman who looked sensational on both the newsstand cover and subscribers' alternative.
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MISS: Vogue February 2021 Kamala Harris by Tyler Mitchell
American Vogue failed to do Kamala Harris justice choosing to showcase her in an ill-fitting blazer and Converse sneakers.
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HIT: Allure March 2021 Jennifer Lopez by Daniella Midenge
To celebrate 30 years in print, Michelle Lee pulled out all the stops for Allure's milestone anniversary issue. The magazine bestowed upon us none other than Jennifer Lopez serving up an amazing cover that made us dash to the newsstand.
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MISS: Vogue Italia February 2021 The Everyday Issue by Carlos Nazario
During Emanuele Farneti's reign at Vogue Italia, we were forced to endure our fair share of themed issues. But the magazine truly hit a new low when it gave us an issue dedicated to everyday life with pedestrian covers.
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HIT: i-D Spring 2021 Naomi Campbell by Luis Alberto Rodriguez
Naomi Campbell's cover for i-D's Spring 2021 issue was truly the standout of the eight options offered. The legendary supermodel transported us to Kenya posing topless on the beach while sporting an ostrich feather headdress.
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MISS: Vogue Japan March 2021 Shanelle Nyasiase, Natasha Poly, Kayako Higuchi, He Cong and Edita Vilkeviciute by Luigi & Iango
We're usually head over heels for a Vogue Japan by Luigi & Iango collaboration. But not even top models decked out in Prada could save the mediocre cover image.
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HIT: British Vogue April 2021 Achenrin Madit, Janaye Furman, Mona Tougaard and Precious Lee by Steven Meisel
The holidays arrived early this year with Edward Enninful gifting us a quartet of groundbreaking British Vogue April 2021 covers featuring Achenrin Madit, Janaye Furman, Mona Tougaard and Precious Lee. Diversity? Check. Glamour? Check. Steven Meisel? Check. A thrilled bunch of forum members? Check.
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MISS: Vogue Spain March 2021 Bella Hadid by Micaiah Carter
More often than not, Bella Hadid delivers. Due to Patti Wilson's questionable styling efforts and Micaiah Carter's bland photography, Vogue Spain's March 2021 offering was declared a miss.
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HIT: WSJ. Magazine May 2021 Amber Valletta, Carolyn Murphy and Shalom Harlow by Lachlan Bailey
Models on magazine covers is always a good idea. Especially when it involves 90s supermodels. WSJ. Magazine's May 2021 cover was absolutely stellar thanks to Amber Valletta, Carolyn Murphy and Shalom Harlow.
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MISS: Vogue Germany April 2021 Edie Campbell by Giampaolo Sgura
Vogue Germany simply isn't the magazine it once was. Take this extremely odd cover of Edie Campbell looking rather demonic before the lens of Giampaolo Sgura.
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HIT: InStyle June 2021 Andra Day by Chrisean Rose
One word describes this cover — glorious! Andra Day served nothing but face and effortless beauty in a flawless portrait as InStyle's June 2021 cover star.
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MISS: Interview Spring 2021 Naomi Campbell by Hugo Comte
Interview, Naomi Campbell and Hugo Comte should have been a match made in heaven, but the publication's Spring 2021 outing proved to be less than desirable.
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HIT: Vogue Paris June/July 2021 Imaan Hammam by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin
During the summer months, we're always able to rely on Vogue Paris for covers that make us want to book a one-way ticket to a tropical location. Dutch beauty Imaan Hammam made her long-awaited debut on the French fashion bible captured on location in Mexico.
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MISS: Harper's Bazaar August 2021 Gigi Hadid by Collier Schorr
Samira Nasr has produced a plethora of dull and depressing covers during her time at American Harper's Bazaar. Although the publication's August installment felt even more depressing than usual with a glum-looking Gigi Hadid gazing lifelessly down the lens of Collier Schorr.
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HIT: Vogue China September 2021 Jinghan Fan by Hailun Ma
Margaret Zhang made her official debut as editor with Vogue China's September cover. Jinghan Fan posed atop the majestic mountains of Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park resulting in a striking shot.
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MISS: Vogue September 2021 Kaia Gerber, Anok Yai, Precious Lee, Bella Hadid, Sherry Shi, Ariel Nicholson, Yumi Nu and Lourdes Leon by Ethan James Green
Models on September covers will forever have a special place in our hearts. Although we couldn't have been more dissatisfied with American Vogue's cluttered September cover lensed by Ethan James Green.
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HIT: British ELLE October/November 2021 Michaela Coel by Danny Kasirye
Farrah Storr has been doing wonderful things with British ELLE, but truly outdid herself with the magazine's double October/November installment featuring Michaela Coel channeling Grace Jones.
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MISS: W Magazine Volume #5 2021 Dolly Parton by Harmony Korine
An icon like Dolly Parton deserved far better than this cover. Where is Steven Meisel when you need him?
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HIT: British Vogue November 2021 Adele by Steven Meisel
Both the American and British editions of Vogue shared the same cover star for November, but the latter really delivered the goods with Adele sporting voluminous hair, winged eyeliner and a Vivienne Westwood corset.
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MISS: V Magazine V133 Winter 2021 Madonna by Steven Klein
Madonna paying homage to the equally legendary Marilyn Monroe for V Magazine's highly-anticipated Winter 2021 edition should have been stellar. But the heavy-handed use of Photoshop made Madonna almost unrecognizable.
