Top 10 Fashion Magazines In India With Their First Cover Vs. Their Latest One For 2021

Fashion magazines have always been the ultimate fashion guide worldwide. Although these magazines have lost some impact over social media and youtube, they are still our go-to before the internet or Instagram influencers. These magazines are the trendsetter and they still hold much power in everyone’s fashion choices. You must be aware of these most popular fashion and lifestyle magazines with their issues in India. But do you know when did these magazines start in our country?

So here I give you the top 10 most popular fashion magazines in India as per the Indian Readership Survey, with their first launch cover vs their latest one for 2021.

1. VOGUE (Oct 2007 vs June 2021)

Vogue India is the Indian edition of the monthly fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue. It is the 17th international edition of Vogue and the first edition in South Asia. Vogue India is published by Condé Nast India Pvt. Ltd and was the first magazine released in India that is 100% foreign-owned.

Vogue was launched in 1892 and is one of the oldest fashion and lifestyle magazines in the world. However, it started its Indian edition in Oct 2007, featuring actresses Priyanka Chopra, Bipasha Basu and Australian model Gemma Ward on its first issue cover. Vogue has evolved into a more surreal and minimal approach with its latest cover in June 2021 featuring actress and model Taapsee Pannu.

2. ELLE (Dec 1997 vs Jun 2021)

Elle is the Indian edition of the worldwide lifestyle magazine of French origin called Elle. It is known to be the biggest fashion and lifestyle magazine in the world. The magazine is published by Ogaan Publications Pvt. Ltd, based in Mumbai and has offices in New Delhi and Bangalore.

Elle magazine started in 1945 in France but took a while to publish its first issue in India in Dec 1997, featuring Sophiya Haque, an English actress, singer, video jockey and dancer. A common thread in its first vs. the latest cover in June 2021 is that it featured Kim Jisoo, a South Korean singer and actress.

3. Harper’s Bazaar (Mar 2009 vs Jun 2021)

Harper's Bazaar is an American monthly women's fashion magazine. It is the largest-selling constantly published fashion magazine in the world. They published their first Indian edition of the magazine on March 1, 2009. The magazine is based in and published in Mumbai, in partnership with the Noida-based India Today Group.

Harper's Bazaar is said to be the oldest English fashion magazine for women, founded in 1867. In the Indian edition, it featured Kareena Kapoor and Swarovski crystals on the cover of its first issue. However, in the latest issue in June 2021, we could see beautiful Lisa Haydon flaunt her baby bump on the cover.

4. FEMINA (Jul 1959 vs Jun 2021)

Femina is an Indian magazine owned by Worldwide Media, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Times Group. Femina, the oldest women's English magazine in the country, has been published for almost six decades. The pages of the publication are packed with current fashion trends, beauty, health, fitness, travel, food, cuisine, relationships, brides, celebrity, culture, career and much more. Femina Magazine is targeted at modern and young women of India.

Being a women-driven magazine, Femina featured its very own first editor Frene Talyarkhan on the cover of its first issue in July 1959. In the latest issue in June 2021, it featured the extraordinary life of actress Lisa Ray on the cover.

5. GQ (Oct 2008 vs Jun 2021)

GQ is the Indian edition of the American monthly men's magazine GQ. It is a monthly fashion and lifestyle magazine that is directed mainly towards men readers. It is the 15th international edition of GQ and is published by Condé Nast India Pvt. Ltd., GQ was the second magazine released in India, after Vogue India, that is 100% foreign-owned.

The first issue of GQ featured Saif Ali Khan and Brazilian model and actress Giselli Monteiro on its cover, after the success of Love Aaj Kal. Whereas, on its latest cover in June 2021 Canadian Pop star Justin Bieber was featured.

6. COSMOPOLITAN (Oct 1996 vs May 2021)

Cosmopolitan Magazine is another American origin magazine in Indian Edition. The India Today Group launched the Indian edition of Cosmopolitan in 1996 under licence from the Hearst Corporation of the US. Cosmo Magazine is one of the best-selling magazines, mainly intended for the female audience. The publication covers a wide and eclectic range of topics, such as relationships, sex, health, careers, self-improvement, celebrities, fashion, horoscopes and beauty.

In October 1996, Cosmopolitan launched its first issue in India with French model, actress, and yoga teacher Magali Amadei on the cover page. On the other hand, in its latest special 'The Hope Issue' in June 2021 we witnessed an artwork about COVID warriors illustrated by artist Naina Hussain from Atlanta, GA.

7. VERVE (1995 vs Jun 2021)

Verve is an Indian premier luxury and lifestyle magazine. It was founded by Anuradha Mahindra, the wife of well-known industrialist Anand Mahindra in 1995. It covers various subjects such as women’s lifestyle, trends, fashion, beauty, art, travel, food, and the like. Verve is known for its annual list containing the powerful woman achievers of the respective year, best dressed and the January list of young achievers.

I tried looking hard for the first issue cover page of Verve magazine from 1995, I even tried contacting the publication team to get access to its first issue but unfortunately couldn't get any success. Hence, I am presenting its oldest available cover from January 1999 featuring Aishwarya Rai. If you have access to any of its issues older than this, please let me know in the comments below. The latest issue of Verve featured Marathi actress and theatre director Anjali Patil in June 2021.

8. Man’s World (Feb 2000 vs June 2021)

Man's World, also known as MW, is an Indian men's luxury lifestyle magazine. It was launched in February 2000 by Anuradha Mahindra, wife of industrialist Anand Mahindra. It is India’s first men’s luxury lifestyle magazine which not only comes with oodles of fashion pages but also helps out Indian men by covering other aspects of their lives including fashion, lifestyle, cars, gizmos, sports, etiquette, books, films and television, theatre, wine, food, music, fitness, adventure, travel and experiences.

Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan shot this cover for MW while he was shooting for Josh in Goa in February 2000. On the other hand, Vidya Balan promoted her OTT series on the latest cover for June 2021.

9. GRAZIA (Apr 2008 vs May 2021)

Grazia India is the Indian edition of the Italian women's fashion and celebrity gossip magazine Grazia. It is the 10th international edition of the magazine. The monthly magazine covers fashion, health, and current events, and is targeted at affluent urban women.

Grazia launched its first magazine in India featuring actress Bipasha Basu on the cover in April 2008. In its latest issue actress and model, Radhika Apte secured her place on the cover in May 2021.

10. FHM (Oct 2007 vs May 2021)

FHM India is the Indian edition of the British monthly men's lifestyle magazine called For Him Magazine. It is now published in India by TCG Media Limited and is the 32nd international edition as FHMIndia. This Magazine covers dating tips, trends in the fashion industry, style advice, viral news, life hacks, sports and entertainment for Men.

Supermodel Ujjwala Raut was featured on the very first cover of FHM in October 2007. Ujjwala Raut is the most successful overseas supermodel from India so far. On the other hand, in its latest issue, FHM featured a successful Vietnamese businesswoman Tram Luu. Tram moved to the US at an early age and became a serial entrepreneur with several successful business adventures.

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