by MediaSlut (@MediaSlut) Today is Friday the 13th… so it’s fitting that today we publish my #MagLoveTop10 list of the worst magazine covers of 2016! A reminder that 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?!” Better luck next time…
Here’s the publishing schedule for 2016’s #MagLoveTop10 series:
- Friday, 2 December 2016: Best South African magazine covers of 2016
- Friday, 9 December 2016: Best international magazine covers of 2016
- Friday, 13 January 2017: Worst magazine covers of 2016
- Friday, 20 January 2017: Sexiest magazine covers of 2016
- Friday, 27 January 2017: Best food magazine covers of 2016
- Friday, 3 February 2017: Best travel magazine covers of 2016
- Friday, 10 February 2017: Best business magazine covers of 2016
Find a cover we should know about? Tweet us at @Marklives and @MediaSlut.
Want to view all the covers at a glance? See our MagLove Pinterest board!
View 2015’s worst magazine covers here.
#10. Marie Claire (US), February 2016
OMG, where to even start?! That flower beheading her? The skater’s outfit? The chopped-off arms?
This is Marie Claire US’s first appearance on this list.
#9. Bloomberg Businessweek (US), 5 December 2016
For its issue focusing upon “new money”, it doesn’t seem as if a lot of money were spent on the cover…
This is Bloomberg Businessweek’s first appearance on this list.
#8. LYRA (UK), Issue 2
LYRA’s description reads that it offers “a bold feminine perspective on society, politics and the arts”… Maybe this cover image relates more to the arts-side of things but I’m sure many feminists wouldn’t appreciate your “feminine perspective” in this regard…
This is Lyra’s first appearance on this list.
#7. Interview (Germany), May 2016
Don’t you just hate it when your evening dress starts melting and gets stuck to the floor? The only thing you can really do, then, is to ‘strike a pose’… FYI: The Germany edition of Interview recently changed its masthead and look-and-feel completely, in case you’re wondering if you’ve arrived at the incorrect website.
While this is Interview Germany’s first appearance on this list, Interview US made it onto the 2015 list, and to #6 in 2014.
#6. T: The New York Times Style Magazine, 23 October 2016
This cover image and shoot reminds me of that one time last year, in the height of summer, when I went for a walk in the field. It was 40° weather, and I also dressed in a big-black-bubble from head to toe. Those were the good old days…
This is T’s first appearance on this list.
#5. V Magazine, Issue 99
What were they smoking?
This is V’s first appearance on this list.
#4. Runner’s World (Netherlands), July 2016
Can you say awkward?
This is Runner’s World Netherland’s first appearance on this list.
#3. Marie Claire (South Africa), May 2016: Hair Issue
Don’t get excited; it’s not Marie Claire South Africa’s annual best-selling (fake) Fur and/or Rug Issue, but rather its Hair one…! The magazine’s team got a lot of flack and bad feedback for this cover, and I think their hair still stands up on the back of their necks when someone mentions this May 2016 issue.
Marie Claire South Africa made it to #2 in 2012.
#2. WIRED, August 2016: Food Issue
If I could include the vomiting-emoji, I would, as it summarises my reaction perfectly! If this is the future of food trends, or “crazy food mashups” (as WIRED puts it), then I’ll stay far, far away! Definitely not finger-licking good…
This is WIRED’s first appearance on this list.
#1. VOGUE (Paris), December/January 2016
Don’t we just love how big international magazines promote positive and healthy-looking people, with great posture, for young girls to look up to? Tsk, tsk, tsk. How could you, Vogue Paris?
While this is Vogue Paris’s first appearance on this list, Vogue US made it to #2 in 2012.
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 anonymous (for now) 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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