Flag This Hub

Best Vogue Covers: Vogue Through the Ages

By

Vogue Through the Ages

I was recently inclined to look through old Vogue magazines in my apartment, because Vogue has hit a new milestone this month. (Very relevant to myself, I'd like to think!) This month Vogue Magazine has finally declared that Asian Woman are Beautiful by featuring a two page spread of Asian models and declaring them as "redefining traditional concepts of beauty." American Vogue has never featured an Asian women on it's cover in the 40-plus years it has been featuring models, unless you count Naomi Campbell. Granted, it's no cover, but it's a start! The spread called Asia Major features Chinese models Liu Wen, Du Juan, Bonnie Chen and Lily Zhi and Korean models Hyoni Kang, So Young Kang, and Lee Hyun, and Japanese model Tao Okamoto.

This made me interested in seeing what Vogue covers have looked like in the past. It was a very interesting experience not only from the fashion point of view but through a history lens as well! I just wanted to share a quick "viewing catalog" of each decade of Vogue Covers. Make it more fun by looking for trends, background images, the model and even the "Vogue" heading!

Asia Major Vogue - Dec 2010
See all 21 photos
Asia Major Vogue - Dec 2010
Source: Vogue.com

1910's Vogue

September, 1916
September, 1916
Source: Cover Browser
December, 1917 Notice the use of "fantasy" rather than reality. Probably related to the fact that cameras were not as common!
December, 1917 Notice the use of "fantasy" rather than reality. Probably related to the fact that cameras were not as common!
Source: Cover Browser

1920's Vogue

November, 1924 I like the font of Vogue and I also love the lack of subtlety here: It's an issue about Christmas gifts and she's holding a giftbox!
November, 1924 I like the font of Vogue and I also love the lack of subtlety here: It's an issue about Christmas gifts and she's holding a giftbox!
Source: Cover Browser
January, 1927
January, 1927
Source: Cover Browser

1930's Vogue

February, 1933 I love looking at the 1930's covers with the Depression and WWII as a "background". And look, it's raining! But fashion prevails even in rain!
February, 1933 I love looking at the 1930's covers with the Depression and WWII as a "background". And look, it's raining! But fashion prevails even in rain!
February, 1939
February, 1939

1940's Vogue

November, 1944
November, 1944
Source: Cover Browser
March, 1948. It's unusual to see background people in today's Vogue covers. But I love how they show a woman just walking past a painter and his paintings. I like the artistic touch!
March, 1948. It's unusual to see background people in today's Vogue covers. But I love how they show a woman just walking past a painter and his paintings. I like the artistic touch!
Source: Cover Browser

1950's Vogue

April, 1952: Notice the caption that reads "Colour Chart - What to wear with what". That isn't outdated! I know people now who could still use a lesson!
April, 1952: Notice the caption that reads "Colour Chart - What to wear with what". That isn't outdated! I know people now who could still use a lesson!
Source: Cover Browser
January, 1957: I love this cover because of the elegance. I wish the 50's gloves trend would come back!
January, 1957: I love this cover because of the elegance. I wish the 50's gloves trend would come back!
Source: Cover Browser

1960's Vogue

December, 1960
December, 1960
Source: Cover Browser
September, 1965: I notice in the 60's there's a great head gear trend going on. I think it's because of the trend of bobbed hair. And bobs look great with head pieces!
September, 1965: I notice in the 60's there's a great head gear trend going on. I think it's because of the trend of bobbed hair. And bobs look great with head pieces!
Source: Cover Browser
Model: Twiggy October, 1967
Model: Twiggy October, 1967
Source: Cover Browser

1970's Vogue

New Years, January 1974: Rarely is a man featured on the cover of Vogue nowadays. The only famous men to grace the covers of American Vogue? Richard Gere, George Clooney and LeBron James!
New Years, January 1974: Rarely is a man featured on the cover of Vogue nowadays. The only famous men to grace the covers of American Vogue? Richard Gere, George Clooney and LeBron James!
Source: Cover Browser
Bianca Jagger March, 1974
Bianca Jagger March, 1974
Source: Cover Browser

1980's Vogue

Talisa Soto August, 1984
Talisa Soto August, 1984
Source: Cover Browser
Naomi Campbell December, 1987: What I noticed as the covers were getting older is the difference of impact when the frame is of just the face or the whole body. It's interesting to see what we notice first.
Naomi Campbell December, 1987: What I noticed as the covers were getting older is the difference of impact when the frame is of just the face or the whole body. It's interesting to see what we notice first.
Source: Cover Browser

1990's Vogue

Linda Evangelista September 1992: One of my favorite models of the 90's. Probably second to Cindy Crawford!
Linda Evangelista September 1992: One of my favorite models of the 90's. Probably second to Cindy Crawford!
Source: Cover Browser
Kate Moss March,1993: Twiggy brought us the "twig" look which Kate made popular again. (Not a huge fan of this look myself)
Kate Moss March,1993: Twiggy brought us the "twig" look which Kate made popular again. (Not a huge fan of this look myself)
Source: Cover Browser

2000's Vogue

Scarlett Johanssen October 2006: In this decade (current) I notice a lot of headings on the cover. This is a drastic change from the past. I guess woman readers want more words!
Scarlett Johanssen October 2006: In this decade (current) I notice a lot of headings on the cover. This is a drastic change from the past. I guess woman readers want more words!
Source: Cover Browser

Others are also reading...

Comments

anglnwu 18 months ago

Yay to featuring Asian models--it's about time. I enjoy looking at Vogue covers through the years.

Micky Dee 18 months ago

Great history of Vogue! Thank you for the beautiful pics!

yenajeon 18 months ago

anglnwu: I know! I was super happy about it too. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Micky: Thanks for visiting, I'm glad you liked it!

Derek Slark 18 months ago

That's a coincidence, I was just looking at past issues of Vogue on the internet today - interested in the Art Deco covers. Had not realised that an Asian woman had never appeared on a cover, can't understand why. Nice Hub.

yenajeon 18 months ago

Derek:

I also like their more artsy covers, but I generally leave the artsy to W Magazine. I can't understand it either! Thanks for commenting!

pmccray 17 months ago

Loved this trip through time and memory lane via Vogue. The magazine has long been famous for capturing fashion moments in time on their covers. Excellent hub. Happy Holidays to you and yours

saesha 16 months ago

very nice, i like how naomi campbells cover sticks out

yenajeon 16 months ago

pmccray: Glad you enjoyed this one! The magazine has been around for some time. Have a great weekend!

saesha: Thanks for viewing!

Laura 14 months ago

Does anybody know why the first cover/ september 1916 cover of Vogue is of a puppet theatre?

yenajeon 13 months ago

Laura: I actually have no idea why they chose a puppet theme for that cover; it would be interesting to find out though! Email Vogue!

Submit a Comment
Members and Guests

Sign in or sign up and post using a hubpages account.



    Like this Hub?
    working