Do not judge a book by its cover? Well, nobody sent us (The Avid Magazine Readership Society of Nigeria – AMRSN) that memo. For us, a magazine edition begins it’s ascension to glory, or its fall to ignominy, from it’s very first spotting in the hands of that over-eager vendor, chasing your car down in traffic. Or that chance sighting in a supermarket as you hunt for the latest incarnation of Kellogs cereal or condoms (whatever).
Did it (the cover) make you stare? Did you do a double take? Did you walk over to check it up close – to see what it was all about, or signal the vendor so you could get a better look? Magazine covers (in the local parlance of the industry) SELL magazines – simple!
Here’s the top ten list (plus 1) of 2013′s very best Nigerian Magazine covers – in no particular order. Enjoy:
(1) Linda Ikeji’s newspaper headline (Style Mania Magazine, May 2013 cover)
Exquisite dress, regal poise, great photography, directing and styling, all come together to make this cover a collector’s item keepsake. I kept staring at this one for days! (I kinda still drool from time to time)
(2) Patricia Olufemi hits the zenith with this one (Zen Magazine July 2013 cover)
The makeup (by Maria Luca), absolutely killed this one! With lips that say: “please kiss me”, I dare anyone to produce a better looking photograph of Patricia. Thumbs up to the Zen team – well done!
(3) Sultry, sexy, sumptuous; Omowunmi Akinnifesi – sizzling hot! (Y! Magazine June 2013 cover)
” The World’s Most Beautiful Woman” is a bold claim for anyone to make, but I’d pick Omowunmi (Miss Nigeria 2005) every time over People’s magazine’s Gwyneth Paltrow – every time. The power in those eyes, the dress, that thigh – sigh… Y! Magazine – The high priest of Nigerain pop culture.
(4) All hail the Queen! Oluchi Orlandi (New African Woman magazine October 2013 cover)
Oluchi leaves no one in doubt as to who’s the Cock of the Walk on this one. I especially like some of the cover shots on the inside of the magazine. You might want to get a back copy, if you don’t already have it.
(5) The Exquisite Waje (Exquisite Magazine April 2013 cover)
Waje has got some good magazine covers in her kitty, but this no doubt is one of her best yet. Great dress, animated look, simple two coloured theme cover design. You almost get the sense that the picture is moving – great photography!
(6) Goth’dam chic: Chidinma is ballin’ here! (Mystreetz Magazine April 2013 cover)
This cover does it’s job – it makes you want to be a star. ‘Nuf said.
(7) The iconic Agbani Darego stuns in Ermanno Scervino (Genevieve Magazine September 2013 cover)
Hmm, the dress! the dress! the dress! Having said that, no one carries couture like Agbani, she was born to pose. The simple colour tones of the cover design do not hurt too. Iconic edition? You can definitely say that again.
(8) IK completes fashion! (Complete Fashion July 2013 cover)
Who else can pull off a brick orange suit with such aplomb, if not Mr Dapper himself – IK Osakioduwa. It takes a bold brother to wear an orange suit, and IK nailed it here! This one gets my vote, just for the balls of it.
(9) Yvonne Nelson, WOW! (Wow! Magazine May 2013 cover)
Wait, Iyanya you lost her medicine? What were you thinking? “A body to die for”, is the first cliche that crosses your mind when you see this cover. I won’t even begin to analyze this cover, because it will seem irreverent. What’s that bible quote about our bodies being temples again? I’d sure love to worship at this one.
(10) Doll faced Dolapo Oni, makes us forget our spelling (Wow! Magazine October 2013 cover)
Something about this cover just gets me (or maybe it’s everything about it). We all got lost in the innocent sexiness of this cover pose – the carefully scattered hair across her forehead, the glint in her eyes, the shy smile, the pink blush – and we just didn’t see that “Dolapo” was misspelt “Dolapi” (Oh, now you see it too!). Who cares anyway, I just want to drink in those eyes.
The Plus 1 (Complete Fashion October 2013 cover)
What’s going on here? Cringe! It did make me look twice though, so I guess it did it’s job.