Fashion magazines are increasingly spotlighting dogs rather than human celebrities, as seen in the recent covers of ‘Dogue’, a canine-focused counterpart to Vogue. While traditional September issues of British Vogue and Vogue US have drawn criticism, largely over airbrushing and bland photography choices, Dogue’s covers have been praised for their originality and charm.
The Canine Charm
This year’s Dogue highlighted the pets of well-known figures, including Bad Bunny’s beagle and Lena Dunham’s dogs, capturing a nostalgic ‘Lady and the Tramp’ style. Sansa, Bad Bunny’s beagle, features prominently, captivating audiences with candid canine expressions, a notable contrast to British Vogue’s cover featuring Nicole Kidman, which sparked debate over perceived excessive digital modification.
Changing Faces of Fashion
The scepticism around supposedly tampered Vogue covers is indicative of broader discussions in fashion media. Stylist Marian Kwei relayed mixed reactions to Kidman’s portrayal, arguing it symbolizes the current trend of the homogenized “Instagram face” – a phenomenon where distinctiveness is overshadowed by digitally-enhanced beauty standards. Kwei noted this shift as reflective of a cultural moment where individuality feels eclipsed by routine aesthetic conformity.
Critique and Context
The American Vogue’s September issue under new editorship also faced scrutiny. Featured stars Kaia Gerber and Homer Gere, connected through celebrity lineage, were depicted in a way considered uninspiring by some critics. Fashion journalist Lauren Sherman highlighted that while covers must resonate across demographics, the current choices felt disconnected. Kwei compared it unfavourably with powerful past covers and argued for more meaningful storytelling in fashion imagery.
Dogs and Authenticity
Dogue magazine’s founder, Oli Port, asserts that dogs’ genuine personalities make them perfect cover figures, contrasting them with the ego associated with humans. Dogs embody simplicity and authenticity, providing an antidote to the image-focused human celebrity culture.
The Appeal of Authenticity
Social media expert Jen Golbeck discusses the appeal of real, unmodified images in an age of prolific AI-generated content. In her view, dogs, devoid of socio-political baggage, provide relief from contemporary pressures surrounding body image and aesthetics. Golbeck suggests that the rise of such cover choices reflects a nostalgic yearning for authenticity, amid the digitally manipulated aesthetic norms.
The Natural Canine Stars
For aspiring canine models, individuality is key, according to a recent Dogue contest winner. The owner, Amina, praised Sir Spud’s charming personality, which captured hearts and secured the favour of judges, highlighting the dog’s inherent appeal and suitability as a cover star. Sir Spud epitomizes the ideal candidate for a cover: embodying love, elegance, and a lack of pretense, reminiscent of the qualities that make dogs humanity’s favoured companions.
Reporting based on coverage first published by theguardian.com.