A friend and I were recently having a conversation on how magazine covers have really shifted over the years. Recently there have been quite a few models speaking about the fact that they are rarely used on covers anymore (at least in American editions) and it's all about celebrities. It seems that these days you have sing, dance, act and also happen to be stunning to land a cover. I think that in itself is an interesting topic to discuss, and also speaks to how commercialized everything is (as these covers are often to promote other projects, movies etc). Looking back at older editions of magazines, I can't help but think that the covers were more artful and often, works of art themselves. A good friend shared some beautiful examples here (+ see below) and started me thinking about this. I can't imagine any of these being on the cover today - I'd definitely pick them up if they were - how creative and interesting! I love the lack of a dozen different distracting cover stories each competing for your attention.
I do still really love many of the Vanity Fair covers. This one in particular (below) was one of my favourites and I plan to frame it one day.
All this being said, magazines have and will always remain a passion of mine and the source of many of my favourite little moments of personal indulgence and always, so much inspiration. I really love the idea of framing a whole set of them as a bright, bold and beautiful art statement. A lovely homage to one of my most favourite things.
You can find beautiful vintage magazine covers and art here, at the Conde Nast store online.
{Photos: 1-3 via Suite Henry; 4- Vanity Fair;
5- saved from my little stash of Domino magazine archives}
8 comments:
What a great post, and I like how you tied it all together with that last image from Domino...
Northern Light
I agree! It seems when I go to the store nowadays there are all these magazines with bright colours fighting for people's attention. I always end up with the ones with simplistic covers! Love the Vanity Fair cover with Katherine Heigl. xx
Love this! I adore all magazine covers, and so wish we could find them WITHOUT copy. xx's
I love these covers! And Katherine was so perfect for that one.
Vanity Fair seems to do really interesting covers. They are unapologetic about the celebrities (that's obviously a big thing for them) and they always do such wonderfully inspired covers. Very Old Hollywood and glamourous.
I've always felt funny about hanging my magazines - but that last image is pretty hard to argue with!
Love them & wish I saw things like this at the Christie Antiques Show today but ne such luck.
I think you're right - a magazine cover without text would make me take notice right away. Great idea to display them all.
That's a great idea makes for an Interesting piece of art I was drawn to the cushion the chair too!