All the April 2019 Magazine Covers We Loved and Hated

There’s quite a bit to talk about in the magazine space for April 2019. We got a good amount of diversity (at least, from an ethnicity standpoint — body type, not so much) and there were also a number of model covers, including Gisele and Shalom Harlow, that were surprisingly less than stellar. Luckily (often) underrated stunners Ashley Graham and Emily Ratajkowski saved the month. On a separate note, there was a very important lesson drawn from this month’s covers: There’s still a long way to go when it comes to gender equality, and the magazine industry is part of the problem. Why must powerful women look angry? Why must they be dressed like men? Why must “diversity” be called out and dressed up in cheesy ways? In the coming months, we’ll be looking for the choices of influential editors to push the needle forward. To check out the best and worst of April’s magazine covers, as well as some killer Chanel fashion and accessories, click through the slideshow above.

[ Next: Fall 2019 Runway Diversity Report: Racial and Age Diversity Step Forward, Size and Gender Inclusivity Step Back ]

All the April 2019 Magazine Covers We Loved and Hated

Allure

Not sure there’s a benefit to that flower in front of Gemma Chan’s eye, but all is forgiven with those gorgeous earrings…
Marie Claire Australia

Why does fearless look so much like anger with this Drew Barrymore shot?
Harper's Bazaar Australia

It's nothing groundbreaking, but Ashley Graham knows her angles and kills it every time.
InStyle

Ciara looks glamorously fresh-faced in Givenchy.
ELLE

Points for a pretty lipstick, but there's nothing new with this Taylor Swift cover.
ELLE UK

We're not sure that this Gucci explosion is doing Taylor Swift justice.
Vogue UK

Someone give Naomi Scott a beauty contract, stat!
Harper's Bazaar

Talk about a great use of Photoshop for once! Loving this fun, upbeat shot of Alicia Vikander.
Marie Claire

Why must women dress like men to exude power? Ava DuVernay, Jessica Chastain and Constance Wu all deserve better than this.
V

It might not be groundbreaking to have Lady Gaga on the cover, but even after all these years, she gives us something unique almost every time.
Vogue

Two diverse covers – one with Léa Seydoux, Angelababy, Adesua Etomi-Wellington and Elizabeth Debicki and this one with Scarlett Johansson, Doona Bae and Deepika Padukone — were released this month for Vogue's "global talent" issue. There's nothing groundbreaking here, but the actresses all look beautiful.
Vogue Germany

Gisele, you’re so much better than this cheesy, Baywatch-style cover.
Vogue Paris

Adut Akech, Andreea Diaconu and Raquel Zimmermann all stun on their respective covers this month, with the standout being this bright, bold and totally fabulous shot.
Vogue Spain

Penelope Cruz looking every bit Jackie O in vintage Chanel.
Vogue Japan

This looks like a Photoshop fail to us — the beautiful Shalom Harlow is looking a little too airbrushed.
Harper's Bazaar Japan

Emily Ratajkowski looking fabulous in Chanel.
Harper's Bazaar Russia

Very likely from the same Emily Ratajkowski shot as the Japan edition of the magazine, this photo proves that Ratajkowski knows how to work a camera and oozes sex appeal.
Vogue Netherland

This shot of Imaan Hammam looks like an American Apparel ad.
Tatler

A totally over-the-top shot of Sofia Richie (though, not gonna lie … it's hard not to want everything she's wearing).
Harper's Bazaar UK

Talk about a missed opportunity: This image of Jenna Coleman was shot inside Kensington Palace and you'd never know it.