If you’ve been following this column at all, you know that I’m big on magazines. I love holding them in my hands, flipping to the exciting newsstands for my weekly fix, and generally enjoying a well-produced, glossy page. Sometimes, however, I want to pull my hair out (and let you in on a secret: it’s a very human reaction). When a magazine’s cover star drives me crazy, it’s usually because the magazine’s editorial priorities are completely out of whack.
Yes, I realize that Robert Pattinson is one of the most stunning men alive, and that his face is recognizable around the world. But aside from being a pretty face, is he the kind of person who should be gracing the cover of a magazine?
Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and revisit some of the most iconic cover photos of the past. I’ll highlight some of my favorites (in no particular order), and then I’ll ask you: Is Robert Pattinson the cover star of any of these magazines?
1984: THE MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR
I don’t know about you, but when I first came across this photo, my heart skipped a beat and I instantly recognized Robert Pattinson. It was 1984, and I had just turned 13 years old. I was obsessed with fashion and beauty at the time, and this image seemed to perfectly capture the sleek, fashionable vibe of the year. Of course, the fact that it’s 1984 also has something to do with it. As the years went on, I would become completely obsessed with this image and frame it on my wall. It was the inspiration for my very first YouTube channel, which is still active today. I especially love how he seems to be looking directly at the camera, as if daring anyone to contradict him.
This magazine cover sparked my interest in fashion, but it wasn’t until I moved to New York City that I really became obsessed with style. It was there that I saw some of the most famous fashion photographers in the world. And it was then that I realized that being a great photographer wasn’t enough; you also had to be great at fashion. Otherwise, you were out of a job. You could learn a lot from great fashion photographers, but you couldn’t simply follow their lead and think that you would automatically be a great fashion photographer. It takes more than good looks and a knack for getting people to pose.
1988: ELLE DECORATION OF THE YEAR
While I was growing up, my parents would take me to the ballet and the opera often. It was there that I saw some of the greatest designers in the world create luxurious gowns and suits for famous female dancers and singers. After those events, I would rush home and try on the clothing items I had seen, in the hopes of looking just like the famous women I had seen on stage. I still have many of those gowns and suits, and it was then that I really began to understand what drives fashion. It’s not just superficial, it can be a means of expressing yourself and being unique, even if you are completely covered in feathers.
This is one of my favorite magazine cover photos of all time. I first noticed it when my Grandfather brought it home from the newspaper offices where he worked. It had been featured as part of a special section devoted to fashion and decoration, and he decided to give it to me as a present. Needless to say, I was incredibly touched, and still am today when I look at it. It’s just so fitting that Madonna should be the one to grace the cover of Elle Decoration, as she would become one of the most colorful and iconic figures of the 1980s.
1995: LOVE STORIES HOLIDAY SPECIAL
Speaking of special sections, I always wonder what happened to the Love Stories holiday special that apparently featured George Clooney and Barbra Streisand (I’m almost 100% sure it was them). I could never find a copy of that issue anywhere, and since it was such a big deal, I imagine most of us wanted to own a copy. I’d love to see what that issue looked like, since it was essentially a combination of the two greatest movie stars of all time. Streisand was a legend even then, and it would’ve been such an amazing opportunity for any fashion-loving kid in 1995. I bet if we searched hard enough, we could find a copy somewhere. Or, maybe they were just really fortunate that Christmas fell that year.
2000: VOGUE BIKINI SALE
This is an interesting one, because although I had seen plenty of editorial spreads of Victoria Beckham in Vogue, I had never actually paid much attention to the actual sales pages. It was only when I started work that I would see the sheer volume that is Vogue, and how they factor sales into their editorial. Now that I’m actually familiar with it, I can see that some of the most iconic models of all time were featured in the 2000 Vogue Bikini Sale, including Eva Longoria, Christy Beckingham, and more. It’s always been my goal to feature some of the most iconic models in my YouTube videos, and here I have one of the best opportunities of all time. Imagine walking in the doors of a sleek, fashionable shop, and being greeted by a beautiful stylist, who offers you a coffee, or a cocktail? It would be such a shame to turn down either one, what with the opportunity like this.
2009: WALKING DEAD SPECIAL
Last but not least, let’s move away from celebrities and talk about some of the greatest style influencers of all time. Although today we might consider them to be style icons, the term influencer wasn’t really around back then. The style influencers of the early 2000s would simply be known as glamour bloggers, and it was here that I first encountered them. The most iconic member of the walking dead clan was, of course, Sarah Michelle Gellar (I’m sure many of you know exactly what I’m talking about). And, since she had started way back in 2002, it’s been an awesome journey so far. I love her blog, her YouTube channel, and everything about her. I think it’s great that she continues to use her platform to speak out against bullying, especially since so many of her followers are kids and teens. It’s an incredibly important matter, especially in the era of social media, where trolls and mean kids can be found lurking around every corner. While we can’t always control what others say or do, we can and should be responsible for our own actions. The best thing you can do for yourself, your friends, and your community, is to simply be your best self. That’s what Sarah Michelle Gellar would want us to do. And, as we all know, zombies can’t do it themselves. We have to do it for them.
Is Robert Pattinson the cover star of any of these magazines?
As I mentioned above, I feel that great editorial styles and stunning celebrities don’t necessarily mean that a magazine is a good choice for everyone. It really depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re a fashion fan (and who isn’t?), then you might want to consider looking at some of the above magazines. They’re all well-known for their incredible fashion spreads, and it would be a shame to not take advantage of them. But, if you’re more of the type that wants to read about the latest gadgets, news, and pop culture, then you might want to check out one of the above-mentioned publications as well.
It’s great to have so many choices in magazines, but it can be overwhelming. When you’re deciding which fashion magazine to purchase, or even which one to check out of the rack, it’s important to keep in mind what you’re looking for. Do you need something fashionable to wear in the coming months? Or do you just want to know what’s trending in terms of fashion? Once you figure that out, it will be easy to choose the perfect magazine.