Fashion Nostalgia: The Beautiful Covers of British Vogue

As a graphic design geek, in addition to my fashionista creds, I could not help but gawk in awe over the amazingly beautiful covers from British Vogue. Under the editorial eyes of Dorothy Todd, Elspeth Champcommunal, Alison Settle, and Elizabeth Penrose, these gorgeous covers introduced British women to the must-haves during a fab time in fashion, the Roaring 20's and 30's. It was the time when flappers ruled which is the continual theme throughout these lovely covers.

The covers were illustrated by a number of artists/photographers including Helen Dryden (November 1920), Georges Lepape (November 1924, January 1925, February 1933), Eduardo Benito (July 1926), Pierre Mourgue (March 1932), Pierre Roy (April 1937, The Coronation Issue for King George VI), and René Bouché (May 1939).

The other appeal of these covers is the use of typography as a graphic element. Unlike today where it is important that your masthead look the same each month, these covers explored the whimsy and stylish effect of a great typeface. It was also unusual to see the infrequency of issues compared to today. Here were the best covers from 1920-1939. British Vogue's Covers are archived on their web site.


My Favorite, July 1928, Edited by Alison Settle



1920's

November 1920


November 1924


January 1925


July 1926


January 1927



The 1930's

January 1930


June 1930


May 1931


March 1932


August 1932


February 1933


December 1933


November 1934


May 1935


April 1937


May 1939

Fashion Rant: Oscar de la Renta on Michelle Obama

I was reading on Vogue UK that Oscar de la Renta was blasting Michelle Obama because she was wearing some European designers while she was travelling overseas. You have got to be kidding me, right? Can he just sit down and shut up!!?? First of all, Michelle Obama has put quite a few AMERICAN designers on the map like Jason Wu, Isabel Toledo, Maria Pinto and J.Crew needs to give her some stock for all that she has done to help them stay out of financial trouble during these difficult times. What is he talking about? Is he really upset because she hasn't worn one of his gowns? Why would she? Don't get me wrong, Oscar is the man. But everybody and her momma wears de la Renta to every bloody red carpet event in the country. There is nothing special about that. What First Lady Michelle Obama seems to be doing is wearing something unique and memorable. I will admit that she had a few misses but very few. So First Lady, continue to do you no matter what. Oscar, you need to take a chill pill.