‘Vogue’ vs. ‘Elle’: Two Diametrically Opposed Takes on Beauty

I’ve long wondered who would be the first fashion rag to showcase an un-retouched cover (or, better yet, a fully un-retouched issue). We’ve had the "all black" issue; and Love proudly proclaimed itself anti-sample size when it launched. But, up until now there’s been next to no non-enhanced images of supermodels or celebrities in fashion magazines (save for a Juergen Teller fashion spread or two within the pages of W -- which is nothing to scoff at). But, finally, French Elle has answered the call: “this month’s issue, which hits newsstands Saturday, features Eva Herzigova, Inès de la Fressange, and actresses Monica Bellucci, Sophie Marceau, Anne Parillaud, Karin Viard, Charlotte Rampling, and Chiara Mastroianni, who all agreed to appear without any makeup or retouching. Peter Lindbergh did the honors, and inside the magazine, five more unnamed celebrities are promised,” says Fashionologie. However, back in the land of heavily tweaked images is the much anticipated May issue of American Vogue.

In conjunction with the upcoming Costume Ball and according exhibition ("Model as Muse") at the Metropolitan Museum in New York, Vogue features “the faces of the moment.” Seasoned supes Liya Kebede and Natalia Vodianova grace the cover alongside newbie Anna Jagodzinska (perhaps the best kind of endorsement the latter could receive). Meanwhile, the adjoining pullout features Isabeli Fontana, Jourdan Dunn, Raquel Zimmermann, Lara Stone, Caroline Trentini, and Natasha Poly. In addition to featuring both old-school models along those new to the game, the cover is noteworthy for two reasons, says Bryanboy (and I agree). One: “it’s the third consecutive time American Vogue featured a black woman on the cover.” And, secondly, “a few of them look way too photoshopped.” So, sadly, while on one end of the spectrum the industry is embracing the real, non-enhanced beauty of women already blessed with great genes, on the other end one of the leading rags in the industry is negating the former by severely photoshopping the “freshest” and most beautiful women casting directors and designers can find.