There has never been a truer word spoken when Candy Pratts Price uttered the words “September is the January in fashion” when interviewed for R. J. Cutler’s documentary The September Issue. The print industry’s biggest and most spectacular (…allegedly) offering of the year has been upon us throughout the past month. From Fashion Canada showing the likes of American and British Vogue demonstrating how to do multi-girl cover shoots with an effortless ease to Vogue Scandinavia attempting to break new ground (and failing) – we’ve rounded up the best and worst of the month, all in accordance to our unfiltered forum members:
HIT | Vogue Japan with Hailey Bieber by Richard Burbridge
“I like it. Sleek, glamorous, and beautiful. Not often you see that in fashion these days, which is a shame!” [MyNameIs]
MISS | UK ELLE with Cara Delevingne by Quentin Jones
“The cover could’ve almost worked if Cara didn’t look half-asleep while hanging from a bar with one leg in the air!” [Drusilla_]
MISS | US Vogue with The Supermodels of the 90s by Rafael Pavarotti
“I want to like this but the shoot is almost giving AI levels of airbrushing.” [thenewclassic]
MISS | UK Vogue with The Supermodels of the 90s (again) by Rafael Pavarotti
“It’s a no for me. The composition is awful. Cindy randomly sitting on the floor, Christy looking stiff and not even sure what Naomi is doing. Only Linda looks natural here.” [Benn98]
MISS | UK Harper’s Bazaar with Soo Joo Park by Boo George
“A cover line declaring the power of fashion paired with the most stiff, lifeless and drab cover image is downright baffling to me – even more so for a September issue! I am dumbfounded, to be completely honest.” [vogue28]
MISS | US Harper’s Bazaar with Kendall Jenner (along with Doja Cat & Paul Mescal) by Mario Sorrenti
“Where are the icons?” [MON]
HIT | Vogue Korea with Mariacarla Boscono by Luigi & Iango
“The coloring is gorgeous, and I love how coherent the three covers are alongside one another.” [vogue28]
HIT | Town & Country with Sofia Richie Grainge by Rebekah Campbell
“Glam bliss. Love it.” [matheus_s]
HIT | Vogue China with He Cong by Leslie Zhang
““Everything works for me. Cover is stunning and editorial is absolute perfection. Fashion with a capital F. BRAVO!” [thiago]
HIT | Tatler with Rita Ora by Luc Braquet
“I love the cover, very Tatler. Most Vogues and ELLEs can only dream of such quality at this point.” [Urban Stylin]
MISS | Vanity Fair with Riley Keough by Mario Sorrenti
“What a weird position… she looks drunk!” [DK92]
MISS | US Elle with Zendaya by Steven Klein
“It’s giving budget limitations. I don’t think a rooftop was the right setting. It needed a villa, something unapologetically lavish to really amplify the sex and excess. The cover isn’t good either.” [Benn98]
HIT | Harper’s Bazaar France with Catherine Deneuve by Deo Suveera and Pamela Dimitrov
“Harper’s Bazaar France just said… we’ll show you the REAL icons issue.” [vogue28]
HIT | Vogue Netherlands with Felice Nova Noordhoff by Luigi & Iango
“I think it’s great. Simple and effective, a stunning girl shot in a classic manner. Luigi & Iango really shine in B&W for me as opposed to color.” [marsnoop2]
MISS | Vogue France with Dua Lipa by Mert Alas
““Why is she even in fashion? I find Dua Lipa one of the most boring celebrities ever. Basic music, no personal style, she just wears hyped brands.” [artemovartem]
MISS | Vogue Germany with Ashley Graham by Felicity Ingram
“Embarrassing.” [liberty33r1b]
HIT | Vogue Mexico & Latin America with Cardi B by Alique
“No fan of Cardi B’s music here but these are, without question, some of the strongest September covers we’ve seen! Absolutely love how Cardi has photographed via Alique’s lens, love the photography overall, the styling and the beauty styling serves Cardi justice. It’s all just so perfectly executed, that I cannot help but to instantly love this.” [vogue28]
HIT | ELLE Spain with Erin Wasson by Javier López
“Yes yes yes!! This is everything a September cover should be, love everything!” [liberty33r1b]
MISS | Vogue Spain with Úrsula Corberó by Dan Martensen
“How is this a September cover? She always photographs really well but the team went with a dull direction.” [Urban Stylin]
MISS | Vogue Greece with Kim Cattrall by Charlie Grey
“This is so random. Kim Cattrall deserved better than this.” [phungnam96]
MISS | Vogue Scandinavia with Pernille Teisbaek by Petra Kleis
“Groundbreaking. Not.” [VERNIQUE]
HIT | Fashion Canada with Kirsten Owen, Irina Lăzăreanu, Jessica Stam, Winnie Harlow & Coco Rocha by Greg Swales
“Now this is how ALL fashion magazines should do September. This feels like an all-out celebration of all-things fashion, and I’m completely here for it.” [vogue28]