Fashion Magazines Spark Debate With Strikingly Similar November Covers
Vogue, Elle, and WSJ. Magazine each feature a cover shot by photographer Szilveszter Makó with a comparable aesthetic, leading to online discussion.
A notable similarity across the November 2026 covers of Vogue, Elle, and WSJ. Magazine has sparked conversation among fashion observers. All three publications enlisted photographer Szilveszter Makó, and their respective covers share a distinct visual theme, leading some to question if it was intentional or coincidental.
Vogue's cover features actress Jenna Ortega, depicted in a minimalistic, box-shaped setting, seated on a stool and looking directly at the camera. She wears a flowing white gown with roses, and one leg is prominently displayed. Her hair is styled in loose curls, complemented by dark makeup.
Elle's November cover showcases transgender actress Hunter Schafer, also seated on a stool against a plain backdrop, gazing towards the camera. Schafer is pictured in a black and white patterned gown, holding two stuffed rodents. Her styling in this cover also bears resemblance to Ortega's.
WSJ. Magazine's cover, released earlier in the month, features model Gigi Hadid. She stands against a white, boxy background, similar to Vogue's, and uses a stool for the shot. Hadid is styled in a dramatic blue feathered bodysuit with a black tail, white tights, and blue heels, her hair pulled back in a bun.
Makó has a history of shooting similar concepts for various publications, including Vogue Italia, Vogue Arabia, British Vogue, and Interview Magazine. He has previously spoken about his artistic approach, telling Aperture that he often thinks in opposites and enjoys creating tension between severity and play. Makó also acknowledged his tendency to revisit similar themes and objects.
"I don’t think photographing the same objects or concepts over and over again makes the work any less effective," he stated. Makó also shot a cover for Vogue Italia featuring Alicia Keys in a comparable pose.
Social media users have noted the visual parallels. One user on X commented on the intriguingly similar designs and the use of a chair or box-shaped space across the different magazine covers, questioning if it was a coincidence or a shared compositional idea from the freelance photographer.
In a related note, Schafer shared in her interview with Elle that she recently underwent gender-affirming bottom surgery. She described the experience as amazing and expressed satisfaction with the outcome. According to UChicago Medicine, bottom surgery encompasses a range of gender-affirming procedures on the genitals.