Iconic Magazine Covers

My most favoured magazine cover which I think is also the most iconic is Candy’s fall/winter 2010 cover, featuring James Franco, photographed by Terry Richardson. I have previously written about this cover in my blog as I feel the message as well as the makeup is beautiful and powerful. The subject matter and the makeup are both fearless and strong and embody what Candy magazine is all about. It is labelled the “first fashion magazine ever completely dedicated to celebrating transvestism, transexuality, cross dressing and androgyny, in all its manifestations”- Luis Venegas. The cover for the fashion and art magazine is classically shocking because a man is wearing makeup and feminine clothing but the art has to be appreciated. The fearless Amanda Lepore style makeup paired with a classic tuxedo and patent leather gloves dare to be messed with and really holds its own. I also think featuring James Franco, who is straight but like the challenge of playing gay roles in films really give the viewer something to think about. He looks beautiful, flawless and powerful. He has not been made up in drag to look funny or stereotypical and instead shows a valiant comfort in his own sexuality and the sexuality and preference of others. Although I absolutely love the makeup and the styling behind this photograph, which is bold sleek and strong, moreover, I love the message and bravery behind it and the entire magazine, as fashion, makeup and hair presented in a Vogue style  targeted at this specific audience are rare. I think this cover inspired many, shocked some but could not possibly be hated, as the overall styling is so cleverly and beautifully done.

This specific issue featured a staggering 337 pages and only 1000 copies were made. 

James Franco on the cover of Candy Magazine

This particular 1986 Vogue cover is a particular favourite of mine as well as being the Cindy Crawford’s iconic first Vogue cover. I think this particular cover is as powerful as any shocking and controversial cover as it is a cover made up of legends as my favourite photographer, Richard Avedon and my favourite makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin collaborated to create this beautiful shot. I really like the fact that the collaboration didn’t have to include nudity or shocking themes to create a memorable cover and instead changed the perception of the American blonde haired and blue eyed girl-next-door to a sultry brunette with professionalism and intelligence. Although Cindy is styles in baby pink, with pink lips and big hair, Avedon has captured a youthful and beautiful Cindy Crawford looking very confident, powerful and aware of herself. Aucoin’s makeup is so well applied and brings softness to her striking pose, which enables her to look approachable and feminine. His main goal when applying a woman’s makeup was to make her feel confident and beautiful and I think he did just that. Cindy Crawford will always be an icon as she, alongside the likes of Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington epitomised the era of the supermodel and I believe, this is where it all began for Cindy Crawford. I also think this cover sums up what Vogue is all about- glamorous and feminine beauty for the powerful woman. This cover is simple elegance at its best, created and captured by a team of iconic artists who all carry a legacy of their own.

Cindy Crawford first Vogue cover 1986

References

Candy magazine cover-  Upload.wikimedia.org, (2015). [online] Available at: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f7/CANDY_2.jpg/640px-CANDY_2.jpg [Accessed 2 Feb. 2015].
Cindy Crawford Vogue cover- Modelinia.com, (2015). [online] Available at: http://www.modelinia.com/_content/slideshows/1627/images/Cindy.jpeg [Accessed 2 Feb. 2015].