The Making Of A Vogue Cover: What Are The Steps?
365 days of fashion: the e-ncyclopedia of fashion
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Last week, we chatted about everyone working on a Vogue cover, and we promised to talk next about the steps that turn a Vogue cover from an idea to an iconic image.
As you probably have noticed, it takes a village to put together a Vogue cover. So the steps take a lot of planning as well, which begins several months before the cover hits the newsstands.
Whether you dream of working at a fashion magazine or you are simply curious to know how your favorite covers come to life, let’s discover today all the steps required to create the perfect cover.
Step 1: Conception of the idea
Theme Selection
The journey typically begins with selecting a theme, influenced by upcoming fashion trends, cultural events, and sometimes, global issues. Editorial meetings are held where editors, creative directors, and the editor-in-chief discuss and finalize a central idea or message. Mood boards are then built with the vision of the cover.
Cover Star Selection
Choosing the face of the cover involves various considerations: cultural relevance, current projects, and alignment with the selected theme. The selection may involve celebrities, models, activists, or even politicians, resonating with the magazine’s vision and theme chosen for that issue.
Step 2: Reaching out to the Star
Initial Contact and Contract Agreement
Once a cover star (or cover stars, if more people are invited on the cover,) is chosen, the magazine’s representatives, usually the booking editor or a similar role, get in touch with the star’s management team to discuss interest, availability, and initial details about the shoot. The contract outlining expectations, dates, and other pertinent details is then signed. It’s crucial that confidentiality is maintained to keep the cover a surprise for the public.
Step 3. Planning the shoot
Choosing the location and building the set
Based on the theme, a location is scouted and chosen, or a studio set is designed depending on whether to shoot - indoor, outdoor, or in an exotic location. The location choice is key to ensure that it complements the clothes, accessories, and overall aesthetic as well as the theme of the specific issue.
Creative Team Assembly