The September issue of fashion magazines is the biggest selling issue all year — so it plays a big role in fashion. In RJ Cutler’s documentary, The September Issue Candy Pratts Price confirms that “September is the January in fashion,” confirmed by Candy Pratts Price. That is why when it comes to September cover, most publications play it safe by putting a blonde celebrity (or a model with celebrity status) in a pretty dress.

Let’s analyze last year’s September issues: Vogue put Charlize Theron, W put Kate Moss, Elle put Jennifer Aniston, Glamour put Jessica Simpson, Marie Claire put Ashley Olsen (or her twin—I still can’t tell them apart), and Allure had Amanda Seyfried. It was an all-blonde September — and Dodai Stewart from Jezebel was furious about it.

This year, some magazines still play it safe(ish). Harper’s Bazaar put Jennifer Aniston (she’s quite a popular choice, isn’t she?), Elle nabbed Julia Roberts, InStyle picked Hilary Swank. However, some tried to push the envelope delicately. Teen Vogue put Justin Bieber on the cover—which was genius because all these prepubescent girls will definitely buy a copy or two. Vanity Fair featured Lady Gaga who is blonde, but edgier than Jennifer Aniston or Jessica Simpson. American Vogue put Halle Berry in Anna Wintour’s cropped hairdo circa early ‘90s. (BTW, Halle is the second African American woman to appear on Vogue’s September cover. The first was Naomi Campbell in 1989.)

Perhaps my favorite is Stefano Tonchi’s W. It features up-and-coming actresses Kat Dennings (Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist and the upcoming Thor), Jessica Chastain (The Tree of Life), Yaya DaCosta (The Kids Are All Right), Greta Gerwig (Greenberg), Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World), Jennifer Lawrence (Winter’s Bone), Emma Roberts, and Zoe Kravitz. I love the pyramidal composition of the cover girls. The cover will be triple-page foldout and will have W’s new logo, which is an italicized “W”. The font choice is also much better than Vogue’s Futura.

Follow the jump for covers from more September issues.

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Cover: The magazine of high society, popular culture and style gives us a choice of cover for their September issue: Michael Jackson or Farrah Fawcett. We opted for the King of Pop. The magazine definitely gets some points for variety and a few more points for sentimental pop culture nostalgia. Grade: B+

Journalistic content: This is where the magazine shines. Of course there is a cover story of Michael Jackson – which is very thoughtful. In “The Boy Who Would Be King” (with photos by Annie Leibovitz), writer Lisa Robinson consolidates notes and interviews with Jackson to produce a great retrospective article of his life. The cover story on Fawcett is titled “Beautiful People, Ugly Choices” was written by Leslie Bennett and gives a look at her and Ryan O’ Neal’s life. Good content, not-so-good title. Other honorable mentions include “Out to Lunch;” an interview with Oscar de la Renta by John Heilpern and an interesting Q & A with Michael Kors. Then there’s the Best Dressed List – which is always a joy to read. Grade: A
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All the September issues have hit the newsstands and considering September is the moment for fashion magazines, we here at Fashion School Daily are more than happy to grade each of them with our discerning (and sometimes irreverent) eye. Our grading rubric will adhere, but not be limited to, the following items:

1.) Cover
2.) Journalistic content
3.) Photo spreads
4.) Trend coverage
5.) Celebrity wattage
6.) Overall appearance

That said, why don’t we start off with the mother of all September issues: Vogue.

Cover: Charlize Theron graces the cover this month. She looks regal and refined with her hypnotizing eyes being the centerpiece of the entire page. But there’s something about her partially opened mouth and blown hair that is awkward and tired. Beautiful? Yes. Refreshing? No. Grade: B- Read more…