We couldn’t get over just how miserable Natalia Vodianova looked on Porter‘s last issue, but for the Summer 2017 edition, Net-a-Porter’s magazine serves up the perfect seasonal cover. Gracing the cover for the first time is fashion’s undeniable It girl, Bella Hadid. Photographed in the Bahamas by controversial photographer Terry Richardson, Bella (who’s certainly no stranger to the newsstand) looks serene — and just a bit sunburned — in the unretouched cover photo wearing minimal makeup and a windblown updo.
IMAGE: FATTONGUE.COM
The moment the cover struck, our forum members ignited a fierce debate. “Why do these women’s magazines (especially Porter, one of the smarter ones) keep using Terry?! Not buying!” posted an enraged t-rex.
“I find it appalling that a magazine that sells [itself] on the fact it is filled with, and is produced for, smart and intelligent women, looks to Richardson to shoot a cover for it. He’s as bad a photographer as he seems to be a human being. Anyone could have shot this image, Bella’s natural beauty is what is displayed here, no expertise of camera work,” fumed honeycombchild.
Also appalled by Porter’s choice was bun-bun: “Ridiculous that Richardson is being used here…and on a cover! Major slip up.”
“I actually love this! The fact they’re using Terry is a very challenging idea to get on board with, but speaking from a purely aesthetic point of view I think it’s beautiful. It feels vintage but fresh at the same time. I love the pale pink of the type against the blue sky and I love the lighting,” confessed LastNight.
Sharing the same sentiments was bluestar, admitting, “I really wish Terry wasn’t hired to shoot this cover but at least Bella looks very good on the cover. It’s raw and actually quite lovely.”
“That’s a great cover shot. People are just hating on it because they don’t like Terry,” mepps chimed in.
GivenchyHomme liked what he saw too. “It’s really soft and pretty. It’s a different side of Bella. She usually looks like a glamorous blow-up doll so it’s nice to see her look vulnerable and human,” he acknowledged.
Are you a fan? Would you have preferred a different photographer? Join the conversation here.
