Top 14 Fashion Magazines In The World

If fashion is your hobby, you probably always keep an eye out for the top fashion magazines. Apart from the brunches and parties, lying on your couch with a good fashion magazine is another preferred pastime among many. Also, no digital application can beat the satisfaction of flipping through the silky soft pages of your favorite magazine. Before the emergence of Instagram and YouTube fashion influencers, editions like Vogue and Cosmopolitan were our go-to for new outfit ideas. They are still one of the best sources for celebrity columns and lifestyle updates. Swipe up to explore our list of popular fashion magazines!

Top Fashion Magazines In The World

1. Vogue

This is arguably the most famous fashion magazine in the world – it tops all charts. Vogue was first published in 1892 as a weekly newspaper that slowly turned into a fashion magazine. It was taken over by Conde Nast Publishers in 1909, whose focus steered towards women. It started becoming bigger (even though it is unisexual), covering a host of columns for women. Anna Wintour taking it over in 1988 was a turnaround story for Vogue. With 11 million subscribers and stretching across 23 countries, it continues to dictate the fashion world and its trends. It has featured some of the most prominent fashion designers in the world.

One of the reasons for Vogue’s enduring popularity is its commitment to showcasing the latest trends and designs in the fashion world. The magazine features in-depth coverage of fashion shows, designer profiles, and industry news, providing readers with an insider’s perspective on the world of fashion.

Did You Know?

Arthur Baldwin Turnure was the founder of Vogue. However, he started it as a weekly newspaper in New York City.

2. Elle

Elle is a French magazine that was started in 1945 with the sole focus on women’s fashion. It means ‘she’ or ‘her’ in French. A few years into publishing, it started a campaign slogan that translated into ‘If she reads, she reads Elle’, which gained traction and slowly turned it into the giant it is today. Having started in the United States, Elle is now published in 44 countries with a focus on fashion and all other things exciting for women. Many fashion models desire to be featured in this coveted magazine as it is a sure shot way for them to become popular.

Elle Magazine Subscription

3. Harper’s Bazaar

Harper’s Bazaar, started in 1862, is America’s first fashion magazine that targeted the upper middle class by publishing content that is polished, informative, and thought provocative. From the latest trends and runway shows to fashion updates in both casual and couture, the editorial covers exciting content. It transitioned from weekly publishing to a monthly magazine and is now into blogs and other digital platforms. Headquartered in New York, the magazine is published in 32 countries.

Harper’s Bazaar Magazine Subscription

4. Cosmopolitan

Cosmopolitan, popularly known as ‘Cosmo’, stays true to its name by publishing women-centric content everywhere. With 64 international editions published in 35 countries and 110 languages, Cosmo is truly global. It started as a family magazine in 1886 and slowly evolved into a lifestyle magazine by the 1960s. The magazine got a facelift with Helen Gurley taking it over in 1965 and publishing groundbreaking content related to fashion, sex, relationships, feminism, and all things that were considered taboo. ‘Fun Fearless Feminism’ became the magazine’s theme. This fashion brand spread like wildfire and started flying off the stands like no other – and it continues to do so.

Cosmopolitan Magazine Subscription

5. BoF – Business Of Fashion

Business of Fashion is indeed a coming-of-age magazine started in 2007 by Imran Amed. It is the new kid on the block that garnered massive subscription and loyalty in a short period, right from students, editors, and stylists to everyone else who truly believes in fashion. BoF focuses on content that is authoritative and has an agenda that is rightly called ‘The Economist of Fashion.’ If you are a fashion enthusiast who is interested in the inside stories of what goes into making real fashion trends, setting patterns, and influencing the economy – BoF is the magazine you need to get your hands on!

BoF Magazine Subscription

6. W

W, founded in 1972, is an American magazine known for its authentic and thought-provoking content on culture, fashion, celebrity news, lifestyle, etc. It is yet another giant that was taken over by Conde Nast publishers in 2000 and is headed by Stefano Tonchi. It is known for engaging in content that most magazines usually steer away from. This is the reason it gained popularity, and this is also the reason it got slack for controversial columns and features.

W Magazine Subscription

7. InStyle

InStyle is a go-to for not just women but everyone with interest in lifestyle and fashion. It is one of those few editorials that is equally known for hard copies and blogs. Ariel Foxman, who joined InStyle 25 years ago, was the head of content until Laura Brown took over a couple of years ago. InStyle is in 16 countries and is distributed internationally. Whether it is celebrity styling tips, hair makeover, lifestyle choices, or fashion advice that you need – turn to InStyle!

InStyle Magazine Subscription

8. Allure

Allure is an American magazine and a brand that primarily focuses on beauty, health, and wellness for women. It is one editorial that is not new to anyone who has a habit of stopping by at the newsstands. Founded by Linda Wells in 1991, Allure went through an overhaul over the next few years in terms of cultural content and vital (but straightforward) details like the sizing, etc. With an average viewership of 8 million online and over 5 million subscribers, Allure has enjoyed the trust of its consumers since its inception.

Trivia

The original Allure magazine format was oversized and wasn’t fitting into the grocery-store checkout slots. As a result, the magazine had to opt for the standard-size glossy design, something that exists to this day.

9. Numéro

Numéro was founded in 1998 by Elisabeth Dijan with an intent to create content and raise its standards to match the needs of smart, intellectual, and intelligent women. With a host of topics from fashion, lifestyle, design, music, and art – it continues to be one of the most influential publications since its inception.

Numero Magazine Subscription

10. V

V, founded by Cecilia Dean, started in 1998 as a limited edition magazine, publishing lifestyle and fashion content every quarter. It has four seasonal releases that predominantly cover the changing trends in culture, music, fashion, etc. Stephen Gan was known as a Creative Visionary Head for the magazine, which encourages free reign for artists and fashionistas and showcases unique voices through groundbreaking columns and images that otherwise go unheard. With over 3 million subscribers, their quest for unique stories continues to grow.

V Magazine Subscription

11. Grazia

Grazia, Italy’s top runner in fashion and lifestyle, published its first edition in 1938. Unlike most magazines, Grazia uniquely blends fashion, lifestyle, and arts with current affairs, news, and economy. Its unique approach gained sophisticated and dynamic readers, both in the digital and offline communities. It is spread across 5 continents, 20 editions, and has a total readership of 35 million. Grazia continues to bring unexplored subjects and unravel stories in a way you do not get elsewhere.

Grazia Magazine Subscription

12. Marie Claire

Evelyn Prouvost, a fashion industry legend, founded Marie Claire in 1937 to explore her insatiable curiosity for culture and lifestyle. It won readers from the get-go as her first edition sold over half a million copies, and the second one doubled the number. The magazine did not just talk about fashion shows, trends, culture, and art but was also the voice of women in the rapidly changing times after World War II. It brought fashion and responsible journalism together and piqued people’s interest. It has continued to grow ever since and is currently distributed in 35 countries and 24 languages.

Marie Claire Magazine Subscription

13. Vanity Fair

Another magazine and yet another big name under the Conde Nast’s umbrella! It first started in 1913, ran for two decades until 1936, and had a revival in 1983 after Conde Nast took over. Vanity Fair boasts of the leadership and guidance of legends over the years, which explain its originality and unparalleled standards. It is treasured by industry experts, new age fashion bloggers, fashion enthusiasts, and everyone else with interest in lifestyle, art, and fashion.

14. Essence

Essence, the American Lifestyle magazine is specially dedicated to women of African-American origin. It covers beauty, celebrity news, travel, entertainment, fashion, and culture. Founded in 1970, it has been creating waves in the beauty world and caters to a global audience. It celebrates women of color and their achievements boldly. It is a magazine that voices its support for black people and strongly believes in ‘global diversity’ Till date, it is one of the most-read women’s magazines across the globe. This magazine group also hosts the famous Essence Music Festival that is one of the largest music festivals in the world.

Vanity Fair Magazine Subscription

Infographic: Top 5 Influential Fashion Magazines

Fashion magazines are like a staple food for every fashionista. Some of them have been game-changers for many models, fashion designers, and even fashion enthusiasts. Below is an infographic that will introduce you to 5 of the most influential of the lot that have significantly impacted the fashion world with their valuable content. Take a look.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Which fashion magazines do wealthy people subscribe to?

Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar are the two magazines loved by the affluent people.

Which is the oldest fashion magazine in the world?

The Female Spectator and Harper’s Bazaar are among the oldest fashion magazines. While the former ran from 1744 to 1746, the latter began its journey in 1862 and is still running.

Are fashion magazines still popular?

Yes, they are. Although the demand for their hard copy has decreased due to the availability of digital versions, the end of fashion magazines is not near. With the change in styles and trends, fashion magazines continue to thrive.

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Sandhya GargFashion Expert

   

Sandhya Garg is a fashion expert with 15 years of experience in the field. She has bachelor’s degrees in Design from London College of Fashion and NIFT, India. Sandhya was seen in season 13 of Project Runway and owns a popular resort wear brand based in the US. Her collections were shown at the Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week, and...more

Pratima AtiFashion & Lifestyle Writer

 

Pratima Ati is a postgraduate in International Business from Staffordshire University. After working in Marketing and Business Development for a few years, she jumped ship to pursue two things she loved – fashion and writing. She’s a Fashion & Lifestyle writer with three years of experience and has never looked back ever since. She sleeps early, reads often, and when...more

Madhumati ChowdhuryAssociate Editor

Madhumati is an associate editor with seven years of professional experience. She has previously worked as an editor, proofreader, and a writer with various organizations, helping her navigate through the various facets of content creation and refinement with ease. She graduated in English Literature from Jadavpur University, West Bengal. Her educational background lends a critical perspective and depth to her...more

Pahul NanraBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Pahul Nanra is a content writer with a penchant for all things fashion and beauty. She has two years of experience in writing across beauty and lifestyle genres. She is an English Honors graduate from Delhi University with a diploma in Fashion Designing from YMCA. This beauty and couture enthusiast also has a varied interest in Korean culture and cinematography...more