Vogue

ELLE

Harper's BAZAAR

W

Marie Claire

Cosmopolitan

GQ

Esquire

L'Officiel

Madame Figaro

Arena Homme+

Dazed

Allure

Other Magazines

Noblesse

D'ICON

Singles

Other Korea Magazines

Other Japan Magazines

Other UK Magazines

FASHION MAGAZINE NOTES & INFORMATION
___________________________________1️⃣ Cover Appearance Methods & ProcessGenerally, there are three ways for a celebrity to appear on the cover of a magazine:
1. Magazine Invitation:
The magazine invites a celebrity to appear on the cover and attracts brands to place advertisements, after which the brands claim sponsorships on the clothing worn. Typically, the magazine only extends such invitations when it highly recognizes the celebrity’s fashion influence and status. The celebrity usually already has a certain level of fame, popularity, social influence, and commercial value.
Magazine invites celebrity for a photoshoot → Magazine informs various major brands → Brands submit sponsorship proposals to the magazine → Magazine ultimately selects the final brand partners based on its theme.
2. Brand Sponsorship:
After negotiations between a brand and the magazine to feature a celebrity partnered with the brand, the brand purchases the cover for the celebrity, with the clothing / accessories brand clearly indicated. Usually, the entire outfit is from the same brand, and the brand covers all costs. Typically, brand-sponsored covers prioritize shooting brand-related content, with the brand making the official announcement first, followed by magazine exposure. The shooting style and theme will align with the brand’s promotional tone. A brand-sponsored cover often indicates that the brand has already collaborated with the celebrity or is considering them as a potential ambassador—the celebrity’s social influence, commercial value, potential, fan sentiment, and purchasing power will all be evaluated by the brand. If the magazine releases promotional material first, the campaign will usually use the brand’s copywriting and slogan (the cover and all platforms will focus on the brand) and directly tag the brand. If there is no brand-related information in the magazine’s promotion, then the brand and celebrity likely have no collaboration, and the cover appearance is unrelated to the brand.
3. Self Sponsorship:
A purchased promotional cover by the celebrity’s team. Usually occurs when a celebrity, during a promotional period for a related project, contacts the magazine to secure a cover opportunity. This requires paying a promotional fee or exchanging resources.Hierarchy based on prestige:
Personal invitation from the magazine > Celebrity’s brand sponsors the cover > Celebrity themselves sponsors the cover (usually for promotional purposes)Why magazine-invited covers are considered more prestigious:
Fashion magazines make money by selling ad space. The cover is very valuable. If it’s an invited cover, it means the magazine is giving up this income, or believes you’re worth spending this money on. If it’s a brand-sponsored cover, it means the brand is willing to invest a significant amount in you - the brand believes you’re worth it.
An invited cover proves recognition from the fashion industry, while a sponsored cover demonstrates close collaboration with brands. Invited covers carry higher prestige.Zhang Hao’s covers of L’Officiel China (February 2024) and Madame Figaro China (October 2024) were the result of invitations from the magazines.
SuperELLE China (January 2025) was a joint invitation from the magazine and GUCCI.● L’Officiel China (February 2024): Givenchy, Jonathon Sketch, Fendi, Sean Suen, and Loro Piana on the two covers. Inner pages feature Zhang Hao wearing pieces from GUCCI, Fendi, Sean Suen, Loro Piana, Enfants Riches Déprimés, Courrèges, Dries Van Noten, Dexperado, Givenchy, Jonathon Sketch, Alexander McQueen, Grounds, GARÇON BY GARÇON, and MYne.
● Madame Figaro China (October 2024): Gaurav Gupta, GUCCI, and Georges Hobeika each on one cover. Inner pages feature Zhang Hao wearing pieces from Peet Dullaert, Yuima Nakazato, Georges Hobeika, Gaurav Gupta, GUCCI, Robert Abi Nader, Anamika Khanna, and Christian Louboutin.
● SuperELLE China (January 2025): Full GUCCI on both covers. Inner pages feature Zhang Hao wearing pieces from GUCCI, Yohji Yamamoto, Jimmy Choo, WE11DONE, UGG, Mihara Yasuhiro, Marc Jacobs, Moncler X Rick Owens, Palm Angels, Golden Goose, and Diesel.___________________________________2️⃣ Magazine Issue TypesMain Issue: Has its own publication serial number, with the cover indicating the issue number or monthly designation.
Special Edition & Supplementary Issue & Feature Issue: Uses the main magazine’s serial number, retaining or slightly modifying the main magazine’s name. These usually do not count toward the main magazine’s issue numbering and are sold separately.
“Book-in-Book” & Booklet: A free addition included with the main magazine, lacking a serial number and not sold independently.PS: Appearances in inner pages and on “book-in-book” covers are not counted towards a celebrity’s professional achievements.___________________________________3️⃣ Hierarchy of Magazine VersionsBy country: Original / source country’s magazine > Other regional editions of the magazine (ie. Vogue US > Vogue Korea; ELLE France > ELLE US)
By kind: Women’s magazines > Men’s magazines > General magazines > Special edition / supplementary issues > Weekly magazines > “Book-in-book” (edition bundled with main issue)
By issue type: Main issue > Special edition / supplementary issue > “Book-in-book” > Standalone booklet > Digital issue > Inner pages (Main > Special > “Book-in-book”) > Mini booklet / brochure (promotional ads and such bundled with main issue)
By issue type magazine tier: Top-tier magazine (explained below) main issue cover > 2nd-tier magazine main issue cover > Top-tier magazine special edition / supplementary issue cover (excluding anniversary issues) > “Book-in-book” / booklet cover
Chinese Magazines by issue month: Anniversary issue > September (“Gold September”) > March (Season Opener) > January (Year Opener) > October (“Silver October”) > December (Year Closer) > Other months
Note: March issues kick off the Spring & Summer fashion season, while “Gold September Silver October” issues kick off the Fall & Winter fashion season. Magazine advertising volume is highest in September and October. This hierarchy varies by magazine, and traditionally, only the “Big Five” women’s magazines (explained below in 5️⃣ Achievements) follow the “Gold September Silver October” rule. Some men’s magazines have adopted the concept, but it is not yet widely recognized in the industry.
Western Magazines by issue month: The most important issue is September, followed by March (Spring / Summer preview).
By appearance method: Personal invitation from the magazine > Celebrity’s brand sponsors the cover > Celebrity themselves sponsors the cover
By cover figures: The only cover figure of the magazine’s entire month (see note below) > Solo appearance with multiple covers > Solo with one cover > Group appearance with multiple solo covers each > Group appearance with one solo cover each > Group cover only > Inner pages only
Note: In China, many magazines have multiple cover figures every month. To be the only cover figure of the magazine’s entire month (“OG” = Only guy/girl) is a high honour.Overall worldwide fashion magazine ranking:
Vogue US > ELLE France > Harper’s BAZAAR US > Their regional editions > All other fashion magazines
Vogue regional ranking:
Vogue US > Vogue UK, Vogue France, Vogue Italia > Vogue China, Vogue Japan > Vogue Korea, Vogue Germany > the rest
Top Chinese fashion magazines ranking:
(Top-tier:) Vogue China > ELLE China > Harper’s BAZAAR China > Marie Claire China, Cosmopolitan China > GQ China, Esquire China > (Quasi top-tier:) L’Officiel China, Madame Figaro China > BAZAAR Men China, L’Officiel Hommes China, ELLE Men China > (Other mainstream magazines - not purely fashion magazines but of high status:) T Magazine China, Numéro China, WSJ. China > 2nd-tier > 3rd-tier
Top Korean fashion magazines ranking:
(Top-tier:) Vogue Korea, ELLE Korea, Harper’s BAZAAR Korea > GQ Korea, Esquire Korea > (Quasi top-tier:) W Korea > (2nd-tier:) Marie Claire Korea, Cosmopolitan Korea > (Other mainstream magazines:) Dazed Korea, Arena Homme+ Korea, Allure KoreaNote: May shift with time and changes in the fashion industry. On the whole, all types of fashion magazines, regardless of tier, serve as valuable resources and exposure opportunities for celebrities, representing recognition and attention from the industry.___________________________________4️⃣ AdvertisementsOutside front cover > Outside back cover > Inside front cover (inner flap of front) > Inside back cover (inner flap of back) > Ads in the inner pages___________________________________5️⃣ AchievementsIn China, a “Full Achievement” (满贯) refers to the accomplishment of a celebrity having completed appearances on the covers of several major fashion magazines. Below lists the main types in order of prestige. The highest honour is all 13 covers: The Big Five and Small Two (Vogue China, ELLE China, Harper’s Bazaar China, Marie Claire China, Cosmopolitan China, L’Officiel China, Madame Figaro China), the top five men’s magazines (GQ China, Esquire China, BAZAAR Men China, L’Officiel Hommes China, ELLE Men China), and T Magazine China.1. 主流男女刊全满贯👑 (All 13 covers)
2. 一线男女刊全满贯 (The Big Five + top two men’s magazines)
3. 主流女刊（五大二小）满贯 (The Big Five Small Two)
4. 五大女刊满贯 (The Big Five)
5. 男刊2+3/主流男刊满贯 (top five men’s magazines)Note: Vogue China is the hardest cover to secure, so If a celebrity has covers of all Big Five women’s magazines except Vogue, it is considered a “Quasi-Full Achievement” (准满贯).___________________________________6️⃣ Haute Couture LooksSecuring Haute Couture looks for magazines and events is a huge marker of influence as well as recognition in the fashion industry.Zhang Hao Haute Couture Looks (as of 250327): Total of 4 looks
● Madame Figaro China (October 2024): 4 looks (FHCM guest members Gaurav Gupta, Georges Hobeika, Peet Dullaert, and Yuima Nakazato - two on covers + two in inner pages, as well as couture looks from Anamika Khanna and Robert Abi Nader)___________________________________7️⃣ SalesChinese magazines have four types of sales:
1. limited time and limited quantity
2. limited time and unlimited quantity
3. unlimited time and limited quantity
4. unlimited time and unlimited quantityFor C-fandoms, if there is a limited quantity of stock, it is imperative to sell out the issue as soon as possible. Additionally, most demonstrations of fans’ sales power are reserved for solo appearances only.___________________________________Check out the zhcharts carrd for Zhang Hao’s magazine covers in chronological order
Check out the HaoFashion weibo account’s explanations and charts in Chinese: link 1, link 2