Fashion Flashback: 17 Era-Defining Models’ First British Vogue Covers
“The arrival of a major new face in modelling is always a thrill to behold,” Edward Enninful writes in his introduction to the April 2023 issue, which features a trio of models on its cover: Paloma Elsesser, Jill Kortleve and Precious Lee. “Runways become re-energised, editorials fizz with new immediacy and a fresh mood can sweep fashion as someone tilts the very notion of how we want to feel – sometimes, even, of who we are.” In honour of Elsesser, Kortleve and Lee’s inauguration into the supermodel sisterhood, Vogue looks back at other history-making models’ first British Vogue covers.
1/17Kate Moss
Kate Moss launched her fashion career with a British Vogue cover photographed by Corinne Day for the March 1993 issue, featuring a portfolio devoted to “London Girls, London Style”.
2/17Kaia Gerber
Kaia Gerber followed in mother Cindy’s footsteps on the October 2019 cover of British Vogue, wearing full-look Valentino.
3/17Adut Akech
Adut Akech celebrated party season in Marc Jacobs on British Vogue’s December 2018 cover.
Irving Penn4/17Veruschka
Veruschka embraced monochrome in a shoot with Irving Penn for February 1969; “New wave of colour: see blue, sea green,” read the cover.
Patrick Demarchelier5/17Cindy Crawford
The late Patrick Demarchelier captured Cindy Crawford in a bouclé dress and matching hat by Chanel paired with oversized ’80s pearls for her first cover in January 1987.
Herb Ritts6/17Claudia Schiffer
Claudia Schiffer modelled couture gowns in Paris to accompany her first cover shoot for British Vogue, photographed by Herb Ritts for October 1989.
Raymond Meier7/17Gisele
A fresh-faced Gisele made her cover debut in August 1998, wearing a lilac Versace dress.
Ronald Traeger8/17Twiggy
Twiggy’s famous cropped hair and spidery ’60s eyelashes made their debut on the October 1967 issue, photographed by Ronald Traeger.
