UK Vogue September 2018 : Rihanna by Nick Knight

[Phuel]

The Good:
Before The Lights Come On by Jessie Lily Adams. My fav shoot. The mood is so strong, and the concept is so simple. Warm, rich and slightly eerie in its vibe. Too bad it’s ruined by a terrible layout where some spreads are crammed with up to 4 shots.

There’s No Place Like Home by Alasdair McLellan. It’s a classic 60s English story that is full of melancholic charm and family warmth. Simple but shot well with a great cast.

The Age Of Opulence by Charlotte Wales. The brand of story that The Face, Another and Arena would conjure in the late-90s. Slyly surreal, and gorgeously executed. She literally resembles a porcelain doll in some shots.

Soft Armour by Anton Corbbijn. Anton’s signature sense of texture and saturated color and mood is as appropriate in 2018 as it was back in the 90s. Beautiful imagery dragged down by a weak layout.

The Bad:
The rest. Rihanna’s story is even weaker as a complete presentation. Her and Nick seem to be just going through the motions. And Edward doesn’t have anything to say with her as a coverstar— other than brand-recognition. The September issue should look and feel like the Season’s event, with her as the statement of the Season. This issue is crammed with more ads than usual of course— except here it's even going so far as to run as a facing page to a feature story’s spread! That’s where the bulk of the 400+ pages account for (including the annoying “What to Buy” feature that's plagued the issue like weeds on a lawn). As the issue of the Season, there’s no excuse for such thoughtless art direction.

And the Ugly:
Ugly ugly ugly art direction. Most will not care for such inexcusably, thoughtless art direction. Edward certainly doesn’t seem to. And it’s this reason Emmanuelle’s Vogue succeeds by leagues over other Vogues. Her art director may not be Fabien— but no one is. At least her Vogue cares enough to showcase the imagery and highlight the fashion stories in the best light. With Edward, it’s just cram as much content into a spread as possible: His is like a flea market stall with ugly price stickers over everything crammed onto tables. Melancholybaby is doing Edward a huge favour by not posting the graphic designs accompanying the stories...

 

[VogueGirl8910]

Solid issue, all the editorials are good.

 

[vogue28]

None of the contents particularly interests me but I couldn't NOT pass up the chance to grab the newsstand cover for the price of £2 when I was out earlier. My subscription just arrived this morning but now seeing the two covers side by side, I much prefer the newsstand cover!

Rihanna really can get away with just about anything in terms of fashion, and I admire her for being willing to try something different (unlike most other overrated singers out there) and the dramatic makeup look and styling throughout takes me back to the glory days of John Galliano and Dior.

 

[8eight]

The September issue on newsstands for £2 ? That isn't good sign.. usually its the quiet months they discount.

Flying in the florist for Rihannas shoot FROM TOKYO cant be cheap... Edward must be spending that budget well...

 

[tigerrouge]

I'd say he's keen to boast that his first September issue out-sold Alexandra's previous efforts AND the other competing mags on the newsstand. He'll not care if those sales figures come from cover price and not the merit of the content.

 

[fluxxx]

I had high expectation about Rihanna's ed..the result is tho it's good but it just fell a bit flat. There's No Place Like Home is an absolute winner for me from this issue. Though it has been done a lot, but it's so charming, well styled and the casts are just perfect.

 

[tigerrouge]

I still haven't received my subscription copy, and looking online, it seems they've accidentally cancelled it part of the way through. Yet they're sending me letters about re-subscribing at an inflated rate. It's a complete mess.

This isn't #NewVogue, this is #NoVogue.

 

[Perickles]

I don't like her eyebrows and all that stuff that she has on her head. I don't like the neutral and dead background either, you can be more creative than that. She's got her look at a yard sale: cheap bedspreads and artificial flowers bouquet.

 

[fierrousa]

So glad that Nick knight got the september cover. he must be included in more regularly. he btings teh kind of luxe and glamour that i am aiming for Vogue. Rihanna delivers as always.
the editorial are really good. but i dont need 25 pages of fran summers by 2 differents photographers. She has been in so many shoots already. No need ahother carline trantini

 

[Phuel]

After running through the insufferably sanctimonious US Vogue issue, my God— I’m appreciating this issue so much more. That issue's faux female-empowerment gimmick is so tiresome, from coverlines like “In Her Own Words”, to “On Her Terms” to-- I kid you not, even Oil Of Olay is getting into the female empowerment gimmick with their ad LOL

And after seeing the Beyonce shoot, I’ve gained a smidgen of appreciation for this Rihanna shoot.

It’s still looks like they didn’t make the effort they’re capable of— especially Nick. Instead, just relying on her high profile and designer labels, but at least it feels and looks in the spirit of HF than that other one. Nix the floral headdresses and keeping her natural brows would have elevated the shoot by leagues. And Rihanna with huge Diana Ross hair would have been so gorgeous. (And leather gloves instead of the cheap wool ones). She has so much potential to drag HF forward to places other Pop girls wouldn’t dare tread, it’s such a shame she doesn’t make the effort. The Beyonce one— take away the hype of Tyler being the first Black photographer to land a Vogue Sept cover, and there’s nothing else worthwhile, let alone anything HF about it. It’s just generic, trendy photography of the times— basically Anna’s Vogue in a nutshell.

 

[kasper!]

Solid issue like W used to be....