From wholesome illustrations to scantily-clad celebrities: Picture series reveals how the covers of the world's most famous magazines have evolved over the last century
- Filmmaker Karen X. Cheng and graphic designer Jerry Gabra compiled past and present issues of magazines to chart their evolution
- Cosmopolitan, Vogue, and Vanity Fair all featured in the project, as well as Time and National Geographic
From a wet-haired Beyonce posing seductively for Vogue to Late Show host Stephen Colbert snacking on a pickle on the cover of GQ, the recently debuted September issues are meant to draw as much attention as possible from readers. And now a fascinating new photo project sees how influential magazines have dramatically changed over the course of 100 years.
For the Evolution of Magazine Covers, filmmaker Karen X. Cheng and graphic designer Jerry Gabra compiled past and present issues of popular magazines to analyze how some publications have drastically altered its to keep up with the changing times as one famed literary magazine remains faithful to its beloved design.
And while Cosmopolitan went from being a literary publication to a guide for independent women, often opting for images of female celebrities proudly flaunting their bodies for its covers, the New Yorker has loyally stuck with its delightful hand-drawn illustrations for the past 90 years.
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![From wholesome to hot: In 1937 Cosmopolitan was a literary magazine featuring illustrations (pictured), and now its covers more often than not feature female celebrities wearing figure-hugging ensembles, including this 2015 cover of Nicki Minaj](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/08/31/20/2BBF51AD00000578-3217074-image-a-29_1441049661786.jpg)
![From wholesome to hot: In 1937 Cosmopolitan was a literary magazine featuring illustrations, and now its covers more often than not feature female celebrities wearing figure-hugging ensembles, including this 2015 cover of Nicki Minaj (pictured)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/08/31/20/2BBF51AD00000578-3217074-image-a-28_1441049661785.jpg)
From wholesome to hot: In 1937 Cosmopolitan was a literary magazine featuring illustrations (left), and now its covers more often than not feature female celebrities wearing figure-hugging ensembles, including this 2015 cover of Nicki Minaj (right)
![Over time: The magazine was once famed for its stunning artwork; now it serves more as a modern lifestyle guide for women](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/08/31/20/2BBF51B100000578-3217074-image-a-26_1441049661727.jpg)
Over time: The magazine was once famed for its stunning artwork; now it serves more as a modern lifestyle guide for women
![Famous faces: Gone are the illustrated covers of the past, and in their place are an array of popular celebrities](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/08/31/20/2BBF51B100000578-3217074-image-a-27_1441049661729.jpg)
Famous faces: Gone are the illustrated covers of the past, and in their place are an array of popular celebrities
'Together, these magazine covers reveal a peek into our history,' Karen wrote of their research. 'Sure, we’ve gotten more sexualized. More superficial. We read less. We have shorter attention spans.
'But we’ve also gotten more open-minded. At each step along the way, society has pushed the limits of what’s considered acceptable.'
One of them most shocking magazine transformations is undoubtedly Cosmopolitan. Ironically, the single woman's 'bible', which features attention-grabbing cover lines that have been deemed too sexually explicit for some newsstands, actually debuted in 1886 as a family magazine known as The Cosmopolitan before it became a literary publication.
Amid the sexual revolution of the 1960s, Sex and the Single Girl author Helen Gurley Brown became editor-in-chief of the magazine in 1965, transforming Cosmopolitan into a publication for single and sexually liberated career women.
![Then and now: In 1915, Vanity Fair also featured an illustration on its cover (pictured). One of its most recent issues, however, featured the first official picture of transgender Caitlyn Jenner](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/08/31/20/2BBF51A500000578-3217074-image-a-5_1441049661332.jpg)
![Then and now: In 1915, Vanity Fair also featured an illustration on its cover. One of its most recent issues, however, featured the first official picture of transgender Caitlyn Jenner (pictured)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/08/31/20/2BBF51A500000578-3217074-image-a-6_1441049661334.jpg)
Then and now: In 1915, Vanity Fair also featured an illustration on its cover (left). One of its most recent issues, however, featured the first official picture of transgender Caitlyn Jenner (right)
![Moving with the times: Vanity Fair, much like Cosmopolitan, made a away move from unique artwork in favor of famous faces](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/08/31/20/2BBF51A900000578-3217074-image-a-25_1441049661669.jpg)
Moving with the times: Vanity Fair, much like Cosmopolitan, made a away move from unique artwork in favor of famous faces
While a 1937 edition of the magazine features an illustration of a woman donning a modest blazer next to a horse, a 2015 cover shows Nicki Minaj flaunting her ample assets in a cleavage baring sequin leotard.
In addition to Nicki's sexy pose, the rapper was quoted saying: 'I demand an orgasm every time'.
The magazine continues to be dedicated to empowering its female readers, even after Helen's departure from the publication in 1997. Cosmo's current editor-in-chief Joanna Coles is battling heiress Victoria Hearst, who is working with the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCSE) to keep the magazine behind blinders on the newsstand.
And long before Caitlyn Jenner made her debut in an ivory corset on the cover of Vanity Fair in June, the magazine was first created as a high-society magazine meant to rival The New Yorker.
The magazine was formed in 1913 and thrived until 1936 when the Great Depression led to decreased circulation. As a result Vanity Fair merged with Vogue and wasn't revived until nearly 50 years later.
![Icons: Vogue has always primarily focused on fashion, however the way it shares its vision with the world has certainly changed over the years, going from high-fashion photographs (pictured) to celebrity-centered shoots, including the now-infamous Kim and Kanye cover](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/08/31/20/2BBF51C100000578-3217074-image-a-7_1441049661335.jpg)
![Icons: Vogue has always primarily focused on fashion, however the way it shares its vision with the world has certainly changed over the years, going from high-fashion photographs to celebrity-centered shoots, including the now-infamous Kim and Kanye cover (pictured)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/08/31/20/2BBF51C100000578-3217074-image-a-8_1441049661336.jpg)
Icons: Vogue has always primarily focused on fashion, however the way it shares its vision with the world has certainly changed over the years, going from high-fashion photographs (left) to celebrity-centered shoots, including the now-infamous Kim and Kanye cover (right)
![Fashion focus: Although Vogue remains one of the world's premiere style publications, its covers have gone through a remarkable evolution over the years](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/08/31/20/2BBF51C500000578-3217074-image-a-23_1441049661587.jpg)
Fashion focus: Although Vogue remains one of the world's premiere style publications, its covers have gone through a remarkable evolution over the years
![Leading ladies: The publication has always been renowned for featuring the world's most prominent style icons](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/08/31/20/2BBF51C500000578-3217074-image-a-24_1441049661589.jpg)
Leading ladies: The publication has always been renowned for featuring the world's most prominent style icons
In 1983, Conde Nast relaunched Vanity Fair as a magazine focused on pop culture, fashion and politics, employing famous photographers such as Bruce Weber, Annie Leibovitz, Mario Testino and Herb Ritts.
Karen and Jerry cleverly compared Vanity Fair's groundbreaking cover of Caitlyn with a 1915 edition featuring an illustration of two women in modest bathing suits.
The two noted that the magazine's 'most iconic cover this year is a woman who used to identify as a man', and while Vanity Fair's covers are usually 'littered with mounds of text' this one only featured three words: 'Call me Caitlyn'.
'They didn’t need to sell the other stories. This issue was all about her,' the added. 'Vanity Fair nailed it.'
Meanwhile, Caitlyn's former step-daughter Kim Kardashian made waves when she posed on the cover of Vogue in 2014 with her now-husband Kanye West, making him one of five men to be featured on the glossy's cover.
![Teen dream: Although its covers have changed in terms of their stars, Seventeen magazine still tries to maintain a wholesome image, no matter who is starring on the front of it, whether its a 50s housewife pin-up (pictured) or Iggy Azalea](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/08/31/20/2BBF51B900000578-3217074-image-a-9_1441049661337.jpg)
![Teen dream: Although its covers have changed in terms of their stars, Seventeen magazine still tries to maintain a wholesome image, no matter who is starring on the front of it, whether its a 50s housewife pin-up or rapper Iggy Azalea (pictured)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/08/31/20/2BBF51B900000578-3217074-image-a-10_1441049661338.jpg)
Teen dream: Although its covers have changed in terms of their stars, Seventeen magazine still tries to maintain a wholesome image, no matter who is starring on the front of it, whether its a 50s housewife pin-up (left) or Iggy Azalea (right)
![Youthful faces: Seventeen was the first teen magazine established in the United States in 1944, and its covers featured very little text until the 1970s](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/08/31/20/2BBF51BD00000578-3217074-image-a-35_1441049661874.jpg)
Youthful faces: Seventeen was the first teen magazine established in the United States in 1944, and its covers featured very little text until the 1970s
![Keeping up with the times: As newsstand competition increased, Seventeen started to feature more text on its covers. In 2015 (far right), the magazine's cover includes a variety of fonts in different colors and sizes](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/08/31/20/2BBF51BD00000578-3217074-image-a-34_1441049661873.jpg)
Keeping up with the times: As newsstand competition increased, Seventeen started to feature more text on its covers. In 2015 (far right), the magazine's cover includes a variety of fonts in different colors and sizes
And while some were outraged to see the reality star and her rapper beau on the fashion bible, editor-in-chief defended her decision last November, explaining: 'I think if we just remain deeply tasteful and just put deeply tasteful people on the cover, it would be a rather boring magazine!'
Vogue was founded by Arthur Turnure in 1892 as a weekly newspaper that focused on the New York elite and fashion, as well as sports for male readers. In 1905 Conde Montrose Nast purchased the publication and turned it into a bi-weekly magazine before staring international editions of Vogue.
Famed editor Diana Vreeland helmed the magazine during the sexual revolution in the 1960s and attracter younger readers by focusing on contemporary fashion and editorials that reflected the changing times.
25 years after Diana was named editor-in-chief Anna changed the look of Vogue by having her inaugeral cover feature a three-quarter-length photo of Israeli model Michaela Bercu when previous covers featured a close-up of the cover star's face.
![Different look: A 1962 issue of GQ starred President John F. Kennedy (pictured), while a vastly different cover featuring comedian Amy Schumer dressed a Princess Leia from Star Wars was photographed in 2015](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/08/31/20/2BBF518A00000578-3217074-image-a-30_1441049661819.jpg)
![Different look: A 1962 issue of GQ starred President John F. Kennedy (left), while a vastly different cover featuring comedian Amy Schumer dressed a Princess Leia from Star Wars (pictured) was photographed in 2015](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/08/31/20/2BBF518A00000578-3217074-image-a-31_1441049661820.jpg)
Different look: A 1962 issue of GQ starred President John F. Kennedy (left), while a vastly different cover featuring comedian Amy Schumer dressed a Princess Leia from Star Wars (right) was photographed in 2015
![Dapper dressers: GQ was founded in 1931 as Apparel Arts, a men's fashion magazine for clothing trade, and in 1967 it became known as GQ. From the 1950s to the 1980s, the magazine's covers typically featured men in suits](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/08/31/20/2BBF519100000578-3217074-image-a-11_1441049661339.jpg)
Dapper dressers: GQ was founded in 1931 as Apparel Arts, a men's fashion magazine for clothing trade, and in 1967 it became known as GQ. From the 1950s to the 1980s, the magazine's covers typically featured men in suits
![Hotter than ever: In the 1990s, GQ started putting sexy female celebrities and athletes on its covers to drive newsstand sales](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/08/31/20/2BBF519100000578-3217074-image-a-12_1441049661340.jpg)
Hotter than ever: In the 1990s, GQ started putting sexy female celebrities and athletes on its covers to drive newsstand sales
A 1950 cover is black and white and features far less text than Kim and Kanye's 2014 cover, however, both editions portray the elegant design and stunning photography the magazine is known for.
Meanwhile, Karen pointed out that Seventeen magazine is still pretty 'wholesome' although its covers have gotten 'louder and louder' to increase newsstand sales.
The publication was the first teen magazine established in the United States in 1944, and its first editor Helen Valentine wanted to provide girls between the ages of 10 and 19 female role models who were career oriented.
The magazine is still meant to empower young women, and often features cover stars whom teen girls look up to today.
![Serious content: National Geographic was a text-heavy publication in 1896 (pictured), while a cover from 2015 highlights the stunning images that made the magazine famous](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/08/31/20/2BBF51E500000578-3217074-image-a-13_1441049661341.jpg)
![Serious content: National Geographic was a text-heavy publication in 1896, while a cover from 2015 (pictured) highlights the stunning images that made the magazine famous](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/08/31/20/2BBF51E500000578-3217074-image-a-14_1441049661342.jpg)
Serious content: National Geographic was a text-heavy publication in 1896 (left), while a cover from 2015 (right) highlights the stunning images that made the magazine famous
![Trademark look: National Geographic debuted in 1988 and incorporated its signature yellow boarder on its cover in the early 1900s. By the 1930s, the magazine started featuring the bright yellow cover it is now known for](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/08/31/20/2BBF51ED00000578-3217074-image-a-15_1441049661343.jpg)
Trademark look: National Geographic debuted in 1988 and incorporated its signature yellow boarder on its cover in the early 1900s. By the 1930s, the magazine started featuring the bright yellow cover it is now known for
![Behind the times: While the magazine is also known for its gorgeous photography, National Geographic didn't feature images on its covers until the 1960s](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/08/31/20/2BBF51ED00000578-3217074-image-a-16_1441049661344.jpg)
Behind the times: While the magazine is also known for its gorgeous photography, National Geographic didn't feature images on its covers until the 1960s
For example, a 2015 cover staring Iggy Azaleais is covered in bright pink and yellow text in different fonts, while a 1955 edition features only one cover line and a model wearing a green gingham dress.
However, both Iggy and the unknown model were placed so their heads covered a portion of Seventeen's iconic logo, which has remained the same.
GQ is another magazine that has drastically changed over the years. GQ was founded in 1931 as Apparel Arts, a mens' fashion magazine for clothing trade. In the late 1950s it evolved into a quarterly magazine known as Gentleman's Quarterly. In 1967, it was re-branded once again as GQ.
Karen explained that before the magazine featured attractive women on its covers, it typically opted for a 'white man in a suit'.
![Famous faces: Charlie Chaplin starred on a 1925 cover of Time (pictured), while Mark Zuckerberg was chosen as the Person of the Year in 2010](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/08/31/20/2BBF51CE00000578-3217074-image-a-17_1441049661345.jpg)
![Famous faces: Charlie Chaplin starred on a 1925 cover of Time, while Mark Zuckerberg was chosen as the Person of the Year in 2010 (pictured)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/08/31/20/2BBF51CE00000578-3217074-image-a-18_1441049661345.jpg)
Famous faces: Charlie Chaplin starred on a 1925 cover of Time (left), while Mark Zuckerberg was chosen as the Person of the Year in 2010 (right)
![Pop of color: Time is known for its red border, which was incorporated in the 1930s, nearly a decade after it was launched in 1923](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/08/31/20/2BBF51D900000578-3217074-image-a-19_1441049661346.jpg)
Pop of color: Time is known for its red border, which was incorporated in the 1930s, nearly a decade after it was launched in 1923
![Although the magazine had a brief design change in the 1970s and 1980s, it has remained mostly consistent with its style](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/08/31/23/2BBF51D900000578-3217074-Although_the_magazine_had_a_brief_design_change_in_the_1970s_and-a-1_1441060582414.jpg)
Although the magazine had a brief design change in the 1970s and 1980s, it has remained mostly consistent with its style
'It’s a wonder it took them until 1990 to figure out that they might be able to sell more magazines by putting women on the cover instead,' she wrote.
Karen and Jerry paired a 1962 GQ cover of President John F. Kennedy with a 2015 issue starring comedian Amy Schumer dressed a Princess Leia from Star Wars.
The cover of Amy actually put the magazine in some hot water because it depicted Amy sexually with characters from the films without Disney's permission.
Interestingly, National Geographic, which is known for its amazing photography actually relied mostly on text for for seven decades after its debut in 1888.
![Staying faithful: The New Yorker's debut issue from 1925 (pictured) was recreated in 2015 for its special 90th anniversary issue](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/08/31/20/2BBF519500000578-3217074-image-a-21_1441049661348.jpg)
![Staying faithful: The New Yorker's debut issue from 1925 was recreated in 2015 (pictured) for its special 90th anniversary issue](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/08/31/20/2BBF519500000578-3217074-image-a-22_1441049661349.jpg)
Updated illustration: The New Yorker's debut issue from 1925 (left) was recreated in 2015 (right) for its special 90th anniversary issue
![Staying faithful: The New Yorker is the only magazine that hasn't changed a bit since it was launched in 1925](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/08/31/20/2BBF519B00000578-3217074-image-a-33_1441049661838.jpg)
Staying faithful: The New Yorker is the only magazine that hasn't changed a bit since it was launched in 1925
![Works of art: For the past 90 years the magazine has relied on charming illustrations, which remain timeless](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/08/31/23/2BBF519B00000578-3217074-Works_of_art_For_the_past_90_years_the_magazine_has_relied_on_ch-a-2_1441060582654.jpg)
Works of art: For the past 90 years the magazine has relied on charming illustrations, which remain timeless
The magazine developed its iconic yellow border in the early 1900s, with the yellow getting brighter in the 1930s. National Geographic started incorporating its stunning photography in the 1960s.
Like National Geographic, Time is known for its red border, which was incorporated in the 1930s, nearly a decade after it was launched in 1923.
Karen pointed out that although the magazine had a brief design change in the 1970s and 1980s, it has remained mostly consistent with its style.
However, The New Yorker is the only magazine that hasn't changed a bit since it was launched in 1925.
For the past 90 years the magazine has relied on charming illustrations, which remain timeless.
Karen and Jerry chose to compare the magazine's debut issue with the 2015 cover from its special 90th anniversary issue, which features a recreation of the first cover.
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Vintage graphic design is definitely superior.
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