Vogue Under Fire for Nearly Identical Covers to WSJ, Elle
The magazine's November cover featuring Jenna Ortega has drawn criticism for its striking resemblance to recent shoots by WSJ Magazine and Elle, both using the same photographer and artistic style.
Vogue's November cover, starring Jenna Ortega and photographed by Szilveszter Makó, has drawn criticism for its similarity to recent covers by The Wall Street Journal Magazine and Elle. Both publications also featured shoots by Makó, utilizing his signature painterly, box-like setup.
The WSJ Magazine's cover featuring Gigi Hadid was released earlier in the week, while Elle's cover with Hunter Schafer debuted three days prior to Vogue's announcement. This marks a rare instance of major fashion publications running such similar visual concepts in close succession.
Makó's distinctive aesthetic has also been featured in Interview magazine's September issue with Sandra Bullock, as well as on covers for Vogue Albania and Vogue Philippines over the summer. The repetition of his style across multiple high-profile magazines has led to surprise and concern within the fashion industry.
"This is a giant screw-up," a fashion media source told Page Six. "Vogue is the leader. It’s bad and unheard of. We don’t know the timing of the shoots, but it’s irresponsible from the photographer’s side not to let the magazines know they’re doing the same concept."
Compounding the issue, both Ortega's Vogue cover and Hadid's WSJ spread feature the same Balenciaga Couture feather dress within their pages. The source questioned how Balenciaga could lend the same couture piece to multiple publications so close together.
Sources close to the matter indicated that Hadid's cover was conceptualized in March and shot in July, described as a "photo-driven, digital-only couture feature." They added, "Any visual similarities across Szilveszter’s work are a reflection of his well-known signature aesthetic."
Despite the controversy, one insider praised Hadid's shoot as "superior" and highlighted its sophisticated styling. The situation also brings attention to the traditional practice of photographer exclusivity in the fashion industry. Historically, magazines like Vogue maintained close relationships with major photographers, but economic pressures have made such exclusive arrangements more challenging to sustain.
"There is a lack of creativity with all these magazines," another source commented. "It seems like a big coincidence or a big joke. I don’t hate the photos, but it’s bad timing for them."
Page Six has reached out to Szilveszter Makó and representatives for Vogue, Elle, and WSJ Magazine for comment.