Essence January/February 2021 : Rihanna by Lorna Simpson

[amby]

 

[THD96]

Look like fan made no? Sis need to drop the album before gracing any magazine cover.

 

[matheus_s]

Wtf

 

[Benn98]

Looks like Essence got a redesign? Would be interesting to see how that takes shape going forward because it looks very....unique.

I don't like the cover at all despite it being shot by a respected artist. My first judgement is that it looks terrible but I maybe like the faint Nefertiti/Cleopatra vibes?
Magazine editors are so obviously creating covers for the internet. This won't work/sell on newsstands where people don't have the time/inclination to let an image sink in.

Don't mind Rihanna but it would've been ballsier to give the cover to Cicely Tyson or Ayanna Presley. Women with a stronger message. But I get it, Rihanna will give them clout.

 

[KoV]

When you’re extra and the doctor recommends an ice pack to soothe your migraines

 

[amby]

Source: Essence.com

 

[amby]

There are two more photos but I couldn’t upload them from the phone

 

[MDNA]

Don’t care about another Rihanna cover, but nice to see her supporting school projects.

 

[Benn98]

I'd pay good money for whatever this artist was on when she conceived these images!

Will the Essence reader like or even engage with this? I'm not too sure.
I've seen the type of covers and content they do. It's basically like Glamour magazine, but tailored to black women. Nothing wrong with that but these images belong in W magazine's art supplement, which probably died a much justified death last year.

I like the shot with the fashion hazmat suit. That one looks quite chic-ish.....somewhat.

 

[Deleted member 45369]

She looks a little bit like Monique on the cover, headwrap on her head and annoyed at Precious for not bringing her her food. Am I crazy?

 

[[Piece Of Me]]

You can't go wrong with the queen. This is instantly iconic, love it.

 

[MON]

What in the rock salt is that cover?

The editorial is gorgeous though.

 

[Xone]

Hahaaha NO.

 

[mikel]

I love it! Love the vintage vibe of the cover.

 

[Avonlea]

Looks like a medical/wellness magazine you can buy at pharmacy.

 

[WAVES]

the cover is not great but the other shots are nice especially the one that looks like she’s inside a shell (clam? )

Im surprised she didn’t get any bigger covers like Elle, Allure or even Glamour as she’s promoting her new Valentine’s Day Fenty Lingerie and all her Fenty lines usually swell like hotcakes right?

 

[mepps]

That cover is atrocious. Much better images in the editorial, and that's not saying much.
Rihanna needs to take a break from magazines. She's beautiful, but so ubiquitous, and almost never interesting.