Vogue’s Emma Stone September Cover Is Boring…
Okay, so let’s talk about the September issue of Vogue because I have quite a few thoughts. If you want my quick summary, I’m not a fan of it. I think it was quite dry and quite flat. Now that’s out of the way, I think we really need to examine why the September issue, which is one of the most important issues that Vogue produces every year, especially American Vogue, is this drab and flat. When you read the article, it was actually really cool. Emma Stone was talking about motherhood and going to the Oscars and being self-deprecating and all these very interesting themes, yet none of this really translates in the issue. And while I understand the comparisons that people are drawing to this issue, I just think that we can’t be comparing such a dry September issue to something like this. We just can’t be doing that. I’ve also seen people saying because Grace Codington did the styling and Jamie Hawksworth did the photography that it’s inherently a good September issue, which is absolutely insane. Anyone that works in fashion will know that sometimes it’s really just about doing what’s on the brief. And that really is just the nature of doing a job. I don’t think just because certain names are attached to something inherently makes it good or bad just because someone’s name is there. I don’t really think that. Now, Vogue covers have transitioned a lot over the years. When I was studying fashion journalism in school, I did a whole project on Dan Veland’s time at Vogue, and I really looked into the archives, and it was really interesting to see all the insane stuff they were doing. The Richard Avdon shoots, stuff was absolutely insane. The budgets were insane. It was really cool. But we all know when we think of Anna Wintor’s time at Vogue and kind of what her thing is, she is the person that pushed a focus onto celebrity culture, especially with the covers instead of using models. We talk about this in fashion all the time, literally. And I think for the longest time, actually, the covers have been kind of dry. I don’t think this is anything new. And so considering Vogue is a business, Vogue makes money. Vogue has advertisers, I think it says a lot about kind of what American consumers like and what they consume that these magazines have made so much money turnurning out these sort of dry campaigns and these dry covers and these dry shoots. Vogues from every other region are always more interesting than Vogue America. The American Vogue is literally the least interesting one anywhere. And it’s always been like that at least for the past 5 plus years. A conversation needs to be had about what consumers want and why has American Vogue gone in this direction and kind of what people expect from these magazines and why people are more enamored with celebrity culture than what Vogue used to do where it was heavily focused on the stories and lives of designers themselves and models. So, we can have that discussion in the comments. I’m curious to know what you guys
Yes, the Vogue September issue featuring Emma Stone fell flat but we need to examine why American Vogue has lost its steam in recent years. What are your thoughts?
#vogue #americanvogue #voguemagazine #emmastone #emmastonevoguecover #fashion #fashionjournalist #fashioncommentator #fashionnews
26 Comments
Vogue has issues for sure
It's on brand for Emma Stone. She embraces weird and obscure. Just look at her last 4 movies she's been in.
Hot take but a pair of jeans need to be absolutely otherworldly if they're making it to the cover of a fashion mag in 2025. I actually really like most of the shoot in the castle, but the backdrop ones were the worst of the lot, both in terms of styling and composition.
Vogue US has been so disappointing in its output. Other countries put so much thought and creativity into their shoots. I think marketing is for sure a factor but you can absolutely have a celebrity front cover without it being drab. Emma at least looks radiant herself.
I stopped buying Vogue because I am interested in fashion, not celebrities.
the American vogue covers have been quite bland honestly. I feel like there could always be more done for the covers since they don't hit the spot. I found the ad campaigns inside the magazine more interesting than the covers, but it's not always the case. Since Sketchers and Guess used A.I. in their recent ads this year though, I've decided to cancel my subscription since it's just not it
Shocking cover
They could of had so much with this and missed an opportunity. Vogue should celebrate the art and creativity behind fashion and not worry about being commercial. Bring back the story telling and escapism. The photo of Emma in the black v shaped jumpsuit should of been the cover. Plus they experiment with the typography more?
Personally, I don’t think American Vogue has been good since the mid-2010s. I haven’t bought a Vogue or even a fashion magazine in years, to be honest.
As an American, I can confirm…it’s dry here, lol. Plain, simple, conformity and bs quiet luxury has a choke hold here. Also think Vogue represents Anna Wintour’s style. Instead, give me an Isabella Blow any day.
I can't help but feel like they're trying to prep us for the recession…
Wait is this one of Anna’s last covers.😳
Oh this is excellent timing. I was just watching an interview with Recho where she was dragging American Vogue and Anna for refusing to truly retire. I stopped reading American Vogue in the 2010s tbh.
Totally agree with you about the “drab” 😂(so well put!) US Vogue. It speaks to how much US”fashion journalism” is only about celebrities—and dull celebrities at that. Who could possibly care what the Kardashians or Haley Bieber wears? Such incisive commentary—thank you ❤❤❤
Most of America is dry AF already. ☠️
I canceled my Vogue subscription a long time ago. Could you imagine a magazine where people interested in clothing, could see shoots referencing interesting designs (and designers) and not just shilling the latest collections from paid advertisers. Read interviews from people whose careers are to create looks, like designers, stylists and tastemakers and not the latest celeb selling their new movie. Where they can learn about rare or vintage collections or pieces and their importance and not marketed to buy buy buy the latest thing on every page. Instead of having to seek this all out on Pinterest, Reddit and YouTube.
I’d pay good money for that.
Knowing people who have worked for Vogue and Condé publications more broadly, ever since digital exploded, American Vogue has greatly downsized their budgets for shoots and their salaries for staff. The production design, styling, and set locations used to be SO grand and majestic, but now because they’re not as willing to pay the money required to fly out entire teams to go to distant locations or do more elaborate shoots that may be expensive, they always end up doing the same kind of boring shots either in front of a boring seamless in a studio or something like this cover where Emma is on location but there might just be one photographer and one stylist and Emma’s personal team on set—that’s it.
If the EIC (previously Anna) took a pay cut to accommodate the rest of the staff and facilitate shoots, it would be a lot more creative and interesting. If all the other Vogues across the globe can do it, American Vogue certainly should figure it out. Step it up 😤✨
American vogue has been bla forever.
The cover "models" were celebrities – there is really no difference. The unique history of Ms. Stone and M. Ghesquière is a great story of friendship, support, and creativity. The amazing couture garments and their stories is exciting and invigorating. This is the best Vogue cover and set of photographs in decades.
The moment I saw how they had Photoshop Adele on one of the covers of Vogue before her lbs-loss I literally stopped subscribing and to be honest I haven’t heard anybody talk about September issues because no one gives a damn anymore. The fashion industry is all fluff, no substance, just algo- love the way that street wear designers are on the up and up. We’re so fucking done with the status quo!!!!
ME TOO
does anyone have suggestions for a good alternative to vogue if i'm looking for more interviews with designers and creatives?
Well sorry, though I definitely agree with a few of the statements expressed,yes for.a many many & more years Vogue has gone diabolically horrible.But please think about this fact Ms.A W not for nothing is British… Might be a good idea to take not even a deep dive, however research the herstory on the why,what,how… I'm sure you'll fine there's something sinister behind it all😢
I think celebrity worship is a big part of the problem, but not all of it. Audiences these days simply take what's in front of them. There's little real curiosity about the design world or art itself. But that also is because instead of specializing and zeroing in on a niche, these publications chase big numbers by appealing to as many people as possible. This means pairing the safest fashion with the most recognizable names and faces. Enshittification ensues.
they could have done a spread with Emma with a variation of styles from recent rtw and couture collections. I'm sure tey already had those kinds of spreads with other models so they went the LV paid advertising route. If they had put a gallino spread my gay ass would be running to buy that shit Faster than you can say "grace cod sucks"..😬
Everyone mentions Anna W first cover with Christian Lacroix top and Gap blah blah blah . It was a beginning of the end for creativity American (spatially) Vogue