ELLE

Blake-Lively-Elle-March-2012-magazine-cover

2011 did not end on a good note for magazines. According to Audit Bureau of Circulations, the industry was down an average of 10 percent, WWD is reporting.

And that’s not even the worst of it. Some fashion titles fell much harder.

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As WWD‘s recent report of the best-and-worst selling issues of 2011 proved, celebrity covers sell magazines plain and simple.

But while the report is a good indication of which celebrities we can expect to see more of on covers (Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Aniston), and which ones we probably won’t (Justin Bieber, Reese Witherspoon), it doesn’t necessarily paint the whole picture. Because while the glossies are printed in the United States, many have dozens of worldwide editions which frequently use reprints (both covers and content) from their North American counterpart. So are the best-selling US celebrities consistent with those who showed up most around the world?

The Kardashian appeal tends to dwindle when you take the overwhelming North American market out of the picture, so logic would indicate that cover giants Jennifer Aniston and Sarah Jessica Parker would pull out in front, right? Well, that’s not always the case.

We take a look at six big titles which have editions all around the world including Cosmopolitan, Elle, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, and Marie Claire, and who showed up the most where. The results might surprise you.

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We love covers.

OK, that is perhaps the most obvious statement of the new year, but it’s true. What’s not to love?

You know the old adage “don’t judge a book by its cover?” Well, magazines are a bit different. A magazine only has a few seconds to catch your attention on a newsstand and compel you to pick it up. It’s a pretty tough gig, to tell you the truth. And while the cover photo (usually a celebrity) is the big draw, it’s hard to miss the headlines–those strings of text selling the inside on the outside with those teasing buzzwords (some more obnoxious than others) enticing you to buy.

To the left you’ll see a collage of the words appearing most on some North America’s most popular fashion, beauty and liftestyle magazines. It’s likely a catalog of words that you’ll recognize from just about any cover. Not only are the words on repeat, but the same formulas are in play all the time, one buzzword being substituted for another. There are subtle variations between publications, however, and thank goodness for that, but what separates one publication from another? We’ll take a look at how some of these magazines grab your attention by finding out their most popular key words from 2011.

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Kyle Anderson Editor

Ever since we found out Taylor Tomasi Hill was leaving Marie Claire for Moda Operandi, we’ve been wondering who would fill her (designer) shoes over at MC. And now we know: Kyle Anderson, formerly ELLE‘s Senior Accessories Editor, will be taking over as Accessories Director at Marie Claire, starting next week.

“I think after six years of working in the accessories department at ELLE, now is the right time to move on to a position where I can contribute more to the look of a magazine,” Anderson told us in an email. “And for me, working for Nina Garcia again and Marie Claire is the ideal fit.” Nina gave Kyle his start at ELLE six years ago and since then the two have remained close–back in August Kyle told Smart Chic Style: “I owe everything and all of my last six years of experiences at ELLE to [Nina] for taking a chance on me.”

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Could this be Naomi Campbell’s way of atoning for all those alleged temper tantrums? The supermodel and her boyfriend Vladislav Doronin will be recognized for their extensive charity work at Denise Rich’s Angel Ball in NYC on October 17. The gala, which will benefit Rich’s Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research, will include a performance by Patti LaBelle. {NY Post}

Christian Cota makes affordable boots for Aldo that you can shop today! You can never have too many pairs of boots. Christian Cota’s new line of flat boots for Aldo are fierce, affordable (under $250!) and available now. {Catwalk Queen}

Dita Von Teese releases a sexy capsule collection: The retro-glam burlesque artist has released Dita Von Teese Muse, a collection of four dresses and one trench coat, featuring–surprise!–corsetry details and body-skimming silhouettes. {Racked}

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It’s no secret that fashion and movies–and the actresses who make them–go hand-in-hand. ELLE knows this well, and is hosting its 18th annual Women in Hollywood event, co-sponsored by L’Oreal Paris, the Calvin Klein Collection, and David Yurman.

It’s a glam girl-power event every year that honors women’s achievements in film. “As has long been our tradition, this year we honor an extraordinary group of women who continue to redefine what is possible in Hollywood,” said ELLE editor-in-chief Robbie Myers (via a release). “From icons to stars to emerging talent, we are thrilled to celebrate their contribution to understanding what it means to be a woman in the wider world.”

The ceremony will be held this year on Monday, October 17 at the Four Seasons Beverly Hills Hotel. We were lucky enough to get a sneak peek at the lovely and talented ladies who are going to be honored next month.

And the honorees are…(*drumroll*):

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Proenza Schouler Doing Denim: There is a God; the boys at Proenza Schouler have a denim line in the works for some time in December or January. {The Fashion Spot}

Glee’s Lea Michele and Darren Criss Will Be At Saks Tonight: According to the official FNO twitter, the Gleeks will celebrate FNO at Saks tonight with Glee co-creator Ryan Murphy. Perhaps this signals a possible Anna Wintour appearance? {Twitter}

The Biebs Is Appearing at Dolce & Gabbana! He’ll be at the Madison Avenue store from 6-8pm tonight, and will autograph anything purchased (for a “limited time”), and all proceeds from the evening are going to Pencils for Promise, a charity supporting education for children worldwide. {WWD}

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Well, this is refreshing. ELLE‘s October issue (which drops September 20) features actual models on the cover–and not just any models. They’re Victoria’s Secret angels, all wearing swimwear. On four separate covers, Miranda Kerr, Doutzen Kroes, Adriana Lima, and Chanel Iman are styled to the hilt in 80s inspired swimwear. It gets a little racier inside, with just as many accessories and a lot more skin showing in the editorial. Read more »

Azzaro has a new creative director: Azzaro chose a young unknown to replace Vanessa Seward as its new creative director. Sao Paulo-born Mathilde Castello Branco, 39, will present her first collection for the Paris-based house in January for pre-fall 2012. She was at Lanvin before. {WWD}

Arizona Muse covers Australian Vogue: Kai Z. Feng. shot Arizon Muse for the cover of Australian Vogue‘s October issue–three of them in fact. We like. {Fashion Copious}

Fashion Week talking points: Here is a roundup of what will surely be New York fashion week’s hot topics, and there are some pretty interesting points, with fashion people like Scott Sternberg, Anna Sui and Vanessa Friedman weighing in on issues like the NYFW schedule, underground fashion, Lincoln Center’s effectiveness, young models and more. {Style.com}

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Rumor: McQueen: Savage Beauty Going To London? A McQueen spokesperson said there have been tentative talks with some London venues but an official announcement will be made if/when they reach a decision. Though there’s no comment from the Met, this sounds like something, if not the exact exhibit, is in the works! {Telegraph}

Elle and H&M One-Day-Only E-Commerce: Starting at noon today you can buy four looks from H&M’s fall collection on Elle’s website. An H&M spokesperson said it’s a preview of their full e-commerce launching next spring. Don’t worry if it sells out though–the full fall collection hit stores in two days. {WWD}

Models In Film: Gemma Ward and Dree Hemingway Cast In Films: Ward was recently cast in the upcoming production of The Great Gatsby (fingers crossed for her as Jordan), and now there are reports that Hemingway will star in the film adaptation of Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You alongside Lucy Liu. The fall cinema lineup is looking good! {Modelinia}

Rei Kawakubo Isn’t Excited About Fashion Anymore: She told the Wall Street Journal that “there are not enough of us believing in the same thing, that there is a kind of burnout, that people just want cheap fast clothes and are happy to look like everyone else.” I somewhat agree. {The Cut}

Behind-The-Scenes Of A Vogue Nippon Photo Shoot: Editor Anna Dello Russo posted a great series of photos from a very Dolce and Gabbana-heavy shoot. Sequined pants, anyone? {Anna Dello Russo}

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At the most surface level, I kissed girls because, hey, it’s a good time. Kissing is a sensual experience, and I fancy myself as somewhat of a hedonist who’ll take his pleasures where he can get them.

[F]or me the spectacle was nothing without the audience. I’m not saying I rallied crowds to watch the gay get the girl, but being in the vicinity of others not only didn’t make me hesitate, it encouraged me.

[I]n a weird way canoodling with women kept me alive to the fact that it’s foolish to shut down my sexual self in the company of the opposite sex. It can be useful, even at work. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not trying to kiss my way to the top. It’s more subtle than that. I work at a fashion magazine, where women are my bosses, colleagues, friends. And with all of them, I’m aware that my masculinity, my attractive guyness, is part of what I offer. Obviously, my professional skills are more important, but if a coworker or superior thinks I’m cute or captivating in some way, great! That gravitational pull is mine to leverage as I can.

–Seth Plattner, Elle EIC Robbie Myers‘ assistant, in a piece he wrote for the magazine about why he likes kissing girls as a gay dude. Read more »

I don’t have to tell you that the September issue is the most important issue of the year… But in case you’re living under a rock without a copy of The September Issue, it is.

Lucky for us, just about every magazine’s September issue cover has been revealed, from Vogue US romantic Kate Moss shot to a sexy Cindy Crawford on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar Singapore. Still missing from the pack is V‘s highly anticipated cover styled by Carine Roitfeld and Vogue Italia’s cover.

From the existing covers we’ve discerned that Louis Vuitton is the new Prada. Vuitton’s AW11 collection appears on 6 of the 51 covers shown here – more than any other label, so far.

And don’t forget that LOVE’s model covers hit newsstands on September 1! Will you be getting a Lara or a Mariacarla?

(p.s. Yes, that is Leigh Lezark on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar Korea – it’s the last slide.)

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