These Controversial Fashion Magazine Covers Will Make You Gasp

By Sheila

These Controversial Fashion Magazine Covers Will Make You Gasp

Fashion magazines have followed the "Any publicity is good publicity" philosophy for as long as they've existed. So, it's not surprising that they continue to use shocking images to spike our interest every now and then. Here are some controversial fashion magazine covers that really got our attention...and then some.

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1

Vogue Hommes, Fall 2012

Vogue Hommes, Fall 2012 Shot by Terry Richardson, this Vogue cover featured Marlon Teixeira seemingly strangling model Stephanie Seymour. Many questioned whether or not the magazine was glamourizing domestic violence. Well, you be the judge.

UPD:

The Vogue Hommes cover for Fall 2012 sparked intense debate and criticism for its depiction of model Stephanie Seymour being strangled by Marlon Teixeira. Shot by controversial photographer Terry Richardson, the cover raised questions about the glamorization of domestic violence in the fashion industry. Despite the backlash, Vogue defended the cover as a representation of the power dynamics in relationships, while others argued that it perpetuated harmful stereotypes. The debate surrounding this cover highlighted the need for more responsible and ethical representation of women in the media, particularly in the fashion world.

2

Purple, Spring 2010

Purple, Spring 2010 Religion combined with fashion will almost always evoke some form of controversy. So when Lindsay Lohan appeared as Jesus Christ on Purple magazine's cover, it did not go down well with the public. It was supposed to signify the media crucifixion she was receiving at the time. The result of this cover? More crucifixion. Ouch. Interestingly enough, this one was also shot by Terry Richardson.

UPD:

The cover of Purple magazine's Spring 2010 issue caused quite a stir when it featured Lindsay Lohan as Jesus Christ. The photo, shot by controversial photographer Terry Richardson, was meant to symbolize the media's harsh treatment of Lohan at the time. However, it only added to the public's criticism of the troubled star. This cover sparked a debate on the use of religious imagery in fashion and the boundaries of artistic expression. It also brought attention to the ongoing scrutiny and media pressure faced by celebrities, especially young women in the industry. Despite the controversy, the cover remains a memorable and thought-provoking moment in fashion magazine history.

3

Vogue, April 2014

Vogue, April 2014 When controversy's favourite child Kim Kardashian appeared on the cover of Vogue with then fiancé Kanye, it really caused quite the stir. In fact, editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour actually had to defend her decision to feature the twosome. Personally, I didn't get what all the hoopla was about. I thought they looked lovely!

4

Vogue Italia, September 2011

Vogue Italia, September 2011 That right there is what a waist of 13 inches looks like ladies. Ouch! Apparently the cover was an ode to Ethel Granger, the woman with the smallest waist in the world. Needless to say, the cover wasn't well received by people with regular waists. Heh.

5

Vogue Hommes Japan, September 2011

Vogue Hommes Japan, September 2011 Shot by Terry Richardson (yes, again!), this cover featuring Lady Gaga wearing raw meat raised more than a few eyebrows, especially among animal rights activists. Of course, Lady Gaga went on to outdo her own cover by wearing the infamous meat dress to the MTV awards show.

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6

V Magazine, 832013

V Magazine, 832013 This might not seem like a big deal now but it did cause quite an uproar when it first appeared, because the world still viewed Miley Cyrus as the sweet Disney girl. It was sort of a prelude to what was coming because shortly after came the Wrecking Ball video and all that twerking!

7

Dazed & Confused, September 2012

Dazed & Confused, September 2012 When the ever controversial Azealia Banks appeared to be blowing a condom on the cover of Dazed & Confused, It was banned in seven countries! Editor Rod Stanley reportedly said, "It's funny that in a world where extreme images are so accessible, someone posing with something that is used for safe sex is what we get worked up about." Can't argue with that.

UPD:

In the September 2012 issue of Dazed & Confused, Azealia Banks caused quite a stir with her cover photo. The rapper appeared to be blowing up a condom, which led to the magazine being banned in seven countries. However, editor Rod Stanley defended the cover, stating that in a world where extreme images are readily available, it was ironic that a photo promoting safe sex would cause such controversy. This issue sparked a larger conversation about censorship and the double standards in the fashion industry. Despite the backlash, the cover remains a powerful statement on sexual health and the importance of promoting safe practices.

8

Elle, Oct 2010

Elle, Oct 2010 Elle got into a lot of trouble with its readers when they featured Gabourey Sidibe with a visibly lighter skin tone. The worst part? They refused the allegation altogether. We're not blind, Elle!

UPD:

In October 2010, Elle magazine faced backlash from its readers when they featured actress Gabourey Sidibe on their cover with a noticeably lighter skin tone. The magazine was accused of digitally altering her appearance to conform to societal beauty standards. Despite the outcry, Elle denied any editing and stood by the cover. This controversy sparked important conversations about diversity and representation in the fashion industry. It also shed light on the damaging effects of whitewashing and the pressure to conform to Eurocentric beauty standards. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of inclusivity and diversity in the media.

9

V Spain, Fall 2011

V Spain, Fall 2011 When Naomi Campbell was featured bound and gagged on the cover of V magazine, as a dedication to Spanish film director, Pedro Almodovar, many failed to see the funny side of the shoot.

10

Lui Magazine

Lui Magazine Trust Rihanna to make jaws drop every single time. This time it was for posing topless for Lui, a French erotic magazine. When she posted pictures from this shoot on Instagram, she was banned! The NSFW version of this picture can be viewed here

UPD:

Lui Magazine is a French men's magazine known for its provocative and risqué content. It was first published in 1963 and has since gained a reputation for pushing boundaries and featuring controversial covers. Rihanna's topless photoshoot for Lui Magazine in 2014 caused quite a stir, with many social media platforms banning the images due to their explicit nature. This incident sparked a debate on censorship and freedom of expression in the media. Despite the controversy, the issue featuring Rihanna on the cover became one of the best-selling issues of Lui Magazine. The magazine continues to feature bold and daring covers, making it a popular choice among readers seeking unconventional and controversial content.

11

Vogue, Sept 2012

Vogue, Sept 2012 This cover wasn't as controversial for its photograph as it was for how different it is from the original picture. Here's a side-by-side look.
Vogue, Sept 2012 Not cool!

12

Candy, Winter 2010-2011

Candy, Winter 2010-2011 If you haven't seen this one before, you'll be pretty shocked to know that this is actually James Franco! Are your eyes popping out yet?! I think he's an absolute star for doing the cover. Seriously, how many mainstream actors would actually be okay with dressing in drag? Besides the amazing Jared Leto of course.

UPD:

The cover of Candy magazine's Winter 2010-2011 issue caused a stir in the fashion world, featuring actor James Franco dressed in drag. This unexpected and controversial choice for a mainstream magazine cover was praised by many for breaking gender norms and promoting diversity. However, it also sparked backlash from some who felt it was disrespectful to the LGBTQ+ community. Despite the controversy, Franco's willingness to challenge societal expectations and embrace his feminine side was widely applauded. The issue also included interviews with other famous men who have dressed in drag, further pushing the boundaries of traditional masculinity in the fashion industry.

13

Paper Magazine, 2014

Paper Magazine, 2014 And of course, this list is incomplete without the infamous Kim Kardashian champagne shot that was the subject of slut-shaming, Photoshop allegations and endless discussions on whether or not it's okay for a mother to pose sans clothes. View the entire shoot here.

So, did any of these controversial fashion magazine covers irk you or did you think they were no big deal?

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

Yup just need to click the photo

the covers are so hard to see! We need an update fixing the new photo display.

I do not see any problems with these. Fashion has many forms and styles. People need to realize what century we are in.

Seconded x3!

Click on the photos to get the enlarged image 😊

the covers are so hard to see! We need an update fixing the new photo display.

the covers are so hard to see! We need an update fixing the new photo display.

Wow. How you could forget Demi's naked cover when she was pregnant is amazing. That rocked the world back then.

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