When Vogue Was Painted: The Magic of Illustrated Covers

Long before fashion became a digital swirl of pixels and high-gloss photography, Vogue covers were painted — not shot. These early covers were hand-drawn artworks that captured more than just clothes. They told stories. They reflected eras. They evoked emotion with a stroke of ink or a splash of watercolor.

From the magazine’s earliest issues in the early 1900s through the 1930s, Vogue was graced with illustrated covers that felt like windows into a dream. Fashion illustration wasn’t just decoration — it was fine art, blending elegance with imagination.

Who created these covers?

Among the most iconic illustrators in Vogue's history:

George Wolfe Plank – known for his symbolic, poetic style, often blending Art Nouveau with theatrical flair.

Helen Dryden – one of the first female illustrators at Vogue, her work was romantic, elongated, and full of Deco-era charm.

Eduardo Benito – a Spanish-born artist who defined the Art Deco style of the 1920s with bold lines and sculptural beauty.

Georges Lepape – a French illustrator whose vibrant, flowing scenes brought fashion to life with movement and elegance.

Erté (Romain de Tirtoff) – a legend of decorative glamour, known for his intricate, dramatic designs that still inspire today.

Each cover was a moment frozen in brushstrokes — a couture fantasy filtered through the eyes of an artist.

Why did the covers change?

As photography evolved and printing technology advanced, illustrated covers gave way to photo shoots. In 1932, Vogue published its first full-color photographic cover in the U.S., marking a shift into a new era — the age of fashion photography.