I don't believe that those who've responded negatively have done so out of pure spite, or because they hate Karlie or because they take pleasure in dissing magazines. Good covers get the credit they rightly deserve. Just nip round to Rosie's Harpers Bazaar 2012 thread; the comments are overwhelmingly positive. This, however, is a very divisive cover (and Karlie is a model who polarises opinions), certainly not the prettiest or earth-shattering, very much open to interpretation. By consciously choosing to espouse the avant garde, Vogue Italia has thrown itself open to such comments.
Hope to see the review soon.