The Best Fashion Magazines in the World: Icons of Style and Culture
In the fast-moving world of social media and instant trend cycles, it’s easy to forget where much of the industry’s fashion authority originally came from: the pages of a fashion magazine.
For decades, fashion magazines have served as the ultimate tastemakers. More than just glossy pages filled with clothes, they have shaped movements, launched careers, and defined the aesthetics of entire generations. While digital platforms now dominate much of our daily consumption, fashion magazines remain trusted curators—blending storytelling, visual excellence, and editorial integrity in a way that few Instagram posts can match.
Whether you’re a fashion student, industry professional, or simply style-obsessed, here’s a curated guide to the most influential fashion magazines still leading the way.
1. Vogue (Global Editions)
No list of fashion magazines could begin without Vogue—arguably the most recognised and powerful fashion title on the planet.
Founded in 1892 in the US, Vogue now boasts more than 20 international editions, each with its own editor-in-chief and localised point of view. From Vogue Paris to Vogue Japan, each edition highlights regional talent while reflecting the global fashion narrative.
-
Vogue US, under Anna Wintour, remains a cultural force—blending fashion with celebrity, politics and culture.
-
Vogue Italia is revered for its bold, avant-garde photography and conceptual storytelling.
-
British Vogue, currently edited by Chioma Nnadi, is leading with inclusivity, diversity and fresh perspectives on beauty and design.
Vogue is more than a magazine—it’s a brand, a business, and in many ways, the blueprint for the modern fashion press.
2. Harper’s Bazaar
Established in 1867, Harper’s Bazaar is one of the oldest continuously published fashion magazines. What sets Bazaar apart is its elegant aesthetic, aimed at women with refined, timeless taste.
Known for working with iconic photographers like Richard Avedon and artists like Andy Warhol, the magazine has always had a close relationship with the art world. It blends couture with culture—offering not just trends, but context.
-
Bazaar’s layouts are sophisticated and clean.
-
Editorials often focus on luxury, elegance, and enduring style over fast fashion.
-
Think: quiet luxury, minimalism, and modern femininity.
3. ELLE
ELLE is the world’s largest fashion magazine by global reach, with over 40 international editions. It strikes a balance between trend coverage, high fashion, and accessible style, making it one of the most commercially successful publications.
Founded in France in 1945, ELLE has always championed women’s voices—both in fashion and broader cultural conversation. ELLE is known for:
-
Trend guides that are genuinely wearable
-
Beauty features with industry insider detail
-
A strong focus on emerging designers
If you’re interested in both the runway and real life, ELLE is a consistently valuable source.
4. Dazed (Formerly Dazed & Confused)
Founded in London in 1991 by Jefferson Hack and photographer Rankin, Dazed is the go-to title for alternative fashion, youth culture, and creative rebellion.
Dazed focuses on experimental styling, boundary-pushing photography, and subcultures often ignored by mainstream media. If you want to understand where fashion is going—not just where it is—Dazed delivers.
It covers:
-
Emerging designers
-
Politics and fashion crossovers
-
Gender and identity in style
-
The avant-garde edge of the fashion world
Dazed is less about shopping guides and more about fashion as a vehicle for expression and disruption.
5. i-D Magazine
Another British icon, i-D was founded in 1980 as a fanzine and has since become one of the most influential cultural voices in fashion.
Known for its winking cover stars, lowercase typography, and street-style focus, i-D is rooted in youth, identity, and rebellion.
What makes i-D stand out:
-
Raw and real editorial shoots
-
Deep interviews with designers, models, and cultural leaders
-
Focus on inclusivity, diversity, and subcultural style
i-D remains vital for understanding how fashion intersects with music, gender identity, race, and politics. It’s where many creatives get their first big break.
6. LOVE Magazine
Created by stylist Katie Grand, LOVE launched in 2009 and quickly became one of the most visually arresting fashion magazines on the market.
-
Long-form fashion editorials
-
Frequent collaborations with models like Kendall Jenner, Adwoa Aboah, and Kaia Gerber
-
Editorials that blur the line between fantasy and fashion
LOVE is not a monthly read—it’s more of a collectible fashion artefact. It’s ideal for readers who want to study the aesthetics and production of high-fashion photography in depth.
7. L’Officiel
A lesser-known but deeply influential title, L’Officiel began publishing in France in 1921 and has played a key role in defining Parisian style.
While it leans towards luxury and high fashion, L’Officiel also embraces art, architecture, and cinema—making it a richer, more layered fashion read. Recent editions have become more digital and international, offering editions tailored to Middle Eastern, Asian, and South American audiences.
8. Numéro
Based in Paris, Numéro is a high-concept fashion and art magazine known for its slick editorial direction, sharp typography, and bold imagery.
Numéro is a pure fashion magazine in the most conceptual sense—editorials are visually driven, abstract, and avant-garde. It’s a go-to reference for stylists, photographers, and fashion students studying editorial composition.
9. The Gentlewoman
For a quieter, minimalist approach, The Gentlewoman is a must-read. Published biannually, it pairs fashion with thoughtful journalism—interviews with creative women across all industries, styled simply but beautifully.
Less trend-focused, more about personal style and intellectual depth, The Gentlewoman is both inspiring and grounding. Think Phoebe Philo rather than runway theatrics.
10. CR Fashion Book
Founded by Carine Roitfeld (former editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris), CR Fashion Book is a glamorous, slightly surreal fashion publication filled with high-gloss visuals, celebrity features, and bold styling.
CR is niche but globally respected. Its high production value and celebrity appeal make it one of the most luxurious new-wave fashion titles.
Do Fashion Magazines Still Matter Today?
In short—yes. While fashion content is everywhere online, print and digital magazines still offer:
-
Curated editorial voices
-
Photographic and styling excellence
-
Deeper industry insights
-
Credibility for emerging designers and photographers
They also serve as a permanent archive of cultural and fashion history—something no Instagram carousel can fully replicate.
Where Tellar.co.uk Fits In
Many of the designers and brands featured in these magazines—whether it’s Prada, Balenciaga, or emerging streetwear labels—offer incredible designs. But they also offer inconsistent sizing.
Fashion magazines inspire the purchase. But Tellar.co.uk helps make the purchase fit.
✅ Over 1,500 brand size charts
✅ Matches your actual body measurements
✅ One-time login, no passwords required
✅ Free printable tape measure available here
🟩 Find your exact size before buying anything featured in your favourite fashion mag
Follow Tellar for Fit-First Fashion
Tellar is helping bring clarity to a fashion world that too often leaves fit as an afterthought. Whether you shop Zara or Loewe, COS or Chloé, we make sure your style inspiration translates to a fit that works.
🟩 Create your free profile now
🟩 Check your size across 1,500+ brands
Tellar.co.uk – Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s Free & Easy.
Leave a Reply