by MediaSlut (@MediaSlut) A “bad” cover isn’t just always about bad layout or photoshop; it’s also when a cover tries too hard, is too creepy, or makes you go WTF… Here’s my list of the Worst Covers of 2014.
Our #MagLoveTop10 magazine cover series include:
- Friday, 5 December 2014: Best South African magazine covers of 2014
- Friday, 12 December 2014: Best international magazine covers of 2014
- Friday, 9 January 2015: Worst magazine covers of 2014
- Friday, 16 January 2015: Sexiest magazine covers of 2014
- Friday, 23 January 2015: Best food magazine covers of 2014
10. The Oprah Magazine, May 2014
I know, I know… it’s not bad-bad, but hear me out.
It’s the overly-posed-pose, overly-styled-hair… all too very dramatic and overly-Oprah when placed with the cover story, “How to Love the Skin You’re In”.
9. Rolling Stone, 10 April 2014
I love nothing more than four old men in black leather and makeup on my covers. Not.
8. Sports Illustrated: Swimsuit 2014
This cover definitely caused a stir, especially in the US! You can read the background story here but, basically, Barbie’s people paid to get her involved with Sports Illustrated’s 50th anniversary Swimwear issue.
New York Times wrote, “Two familiar brands that have for decades been the targets of complaints about their depictions of women have joined forces for a promotional campaign that tells critics they are proudly ‘unapologetic’ about who they are.”
Uhm, OK…
7. Hoe overleef ik…
It’s all good and well to have your cover ‘talk’ to the target market, but I think Hoe Overleef Ik… managed to kill the last bit of cuteness by trying to use every single design element that might catch the eyes of teenagers.
My. Eyes. Hurt.
6. Interview, September 2014
“It’s Fashion”, but yet it’s not…
I’m struggling to see any element of ‘fashion’ on this cover. I only see someone with bedroom-hair, and what appears to be eyes half-open (look closely).
Nah, not fashionable, or sexy at all. Just a mess.
5. PLAYBOY South Africa, October 2014
“So all I have to do is push this lever, with my breasts?”
I must admit that the prop (whatever it is) used in this shoot to cover the essentials is smart but desperate at the same time.
And it doesn’t look like she’s very happy either…
4. YOU, 23 October 2014
Poor YOU magazine (and Huisgenoot, too)…
It really did have the best intentions when it published (photoshopped) bald pictures of South African personalities, for “Cancer Awareness”. But it backfired. Massively.
You can read the complete back story, and dozens of angry comments from readers, right here.
3. Scamp, Summer 2014
I’m confused. Extremely confused and distraught, actually.
But what is Scamp? “The sparkling new companion of the art and fashion shiterati”.
If you like the shiterati going on on the cover, you’ll like its website even more…
2. Heat South Africa, various
So, for a collection of various covers (these are but a a few), Heat South Africa rolls into the no. 2 position.
And, for extra measure, it needs to be pointed out that its Joost van der Westhuizen cover, with “WHY WAS JOOST AT A GAY CLUB AT 4AM?”, was a low blow, especially as there was no real story behind it.
1. PAPER, Winter 2014
I found Kim Kardashian revolting on these covers and in poor taste (and, yes, she actually did go full frontal – extra images may be viewed here).
PAPER set out to “Break the Internet”, with some success, and people are still talking (and mocking her) about it but this just proved once again that Kardashian will go to any length to have people talk about her.
Even though these covers and the marketing campaign behind it will one day be used in case studies, Kim K — and the length she goes to — make for the Worst Cover for 2014.
Find a cover we should know about? Tweet us at @Marklives and @MediaSlut.
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MagLove by @MediaSlut is a regular slot featuring the best local and international magazine covers every week, recognising well thought-out, powerful and interesting (and hopefully all three-in-one) covers and celebrating the mix of pragmatism, creativity and personal taste that created each of them. The (for now anonymous) blogger behind MediaSlut knows way too much for his own good about media in South Africa, magazines in particular. His mission is to show when SA magazines fail but, most importantly, also when they succeed. If you’re looking for a library about SA magazines and news, this is your one-stop pitstop.
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