Fashion's Best Magazine Covers

A good magazine cover will stir up emotion and make you think. They're glamorous, creative, and serve as windows into the industry that fascinates magazine junkies around the world. From all the covers printed this year, we've picked the ones we love best. Check out our faves!

  1.Kristen McMenamy - 'Vogue Italia'
Trust Vogue Italia to make a fashion statement out of one of the most horrific environmental disasters in American history. With unique model Kristen McMenamy in a starring role, the cover is emotionally provocative but enchantingly beautiful at the same time.Photographer: Steven Meisel
Site: Vogue Italia / Cover story

2.Lady Gaga - 'Elle'

Lady Gaga has catapulted to record levels of fame this year. But instead of shooting Gaga in all her out-there glory, Elle stripped her down and captured her in black-and-white for its January cover. The magazine kept the pop star's flair intact with signature shades and outrageous headgear. Photographer: Tom Munro
Site: Elle

3.Natalia Vodianova - 'Harper's Bazaar UK'

We love how literally Harper's Bazaar UK depicted a strong woman by putting Natalia Vodianova in a gold coat of armor on the November cover. There were few cover subjects so thought-provoking as this gilded Joan of Arc.Photographer: Michelangelo Di Battista
Site: Harper's Bazaar UK

4.Lara Stone - 'Vogue Paris'

The 90th Anniversary cover of Vogue Paris sums up exactly what the magazine is about—provocation, mystery and challenging fashion. With the voluptuous Lara Stone wearing nothing but lace gloves, a cameo choker and Philip Treacy's couture lace mask, this cover definitely tries to turn you on. Did it succeed?

Photographer:Steven Klein
Site:Vogue Paris

5.Marc Jacobs - 'Industrie'

It's one thing to put a man in drag on the cover of a magazine. But to put fashion trailblazer Marc Jacobs on the cover in a pair of thigh highs? Well, there's not much else to say about that. Industrie's cover is daring, innovative and ballsy—just the way we like it.

Photographer: Patrick Demarchelier
Site: Industrie

6.Daphne Guinness - 'Zoo Magazine'

The December cover of Zoo Magazine sends chills down your spine. Daphne Guinness' delicate lace ensemble coupled with a lurking shadow in muted sepia tones is eery, artsy and absolutely fabulous.

Photographer: Bryan Adams
Site: Zoo Magazine

7.Tom Ford - 'Vogue Paris'

Tom Ford is back! Vogue Paris featured the fashion genius and guest editor on the sultry 70s-inspired cover of its December/January issue. If this is any indication of how 2011 will look with Tom back in the game, it'll be a ridiculously glamorous year indeed.

Photographer:Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott
Site:Vogue Paris

8.Katy Perry - 'Harper's Bazaar'

Our first thought at the sight of this December cover? "Wow." From her ruby red Swarovski crystal-encrusted lips to the prismatic effect of her lushly lashed eyes, Katy Perry was breathtaking on the dramatic holiday cover of Harper's Bazaar.

Photographer: Alexi Lubomirski
Site:Harper's Bazaar

9.Alexa Chung - 'L'Officiel'

The August L'Officiel cover features a serene Alexa Chung posing in a vintage-inspired dress. It's the inherent simplicity that we love: Magazine covers don't need bells and whistles to make a statement, and this cover reflects a calm innocence and retro glamour.

Photographer: Guy Aroche
Site: L'Officiel

10.Sigourney Weaver, Jane Fonda, Susan Sarandon - 'V'
The three covers of V's winter edition—featuring Susan Sarandon, Jane Fonda and Sigourney Weaver—celebrated the glamorous and downright natural beauty of these over-50 leading ladies. Who cares about age, indeed!

Photographer: Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin
Site: V Magazine