Creativity in print as we look at the Top 10 Magazine Covers of 2011

by Yemi Olowu

These glossy magazines had us at first sight with their creatively crafted cover. This was a combined effort by the stylist, make-up artist, photographer and not to forget the cover star, who is usually the idolized object of the cover.

Tonto Dike on Wow!


This cover screams sex in a very tasteful way and imprinted Tonto as one of Nollywood’s sex icons. This cover definitely outshines many others and remains Wow magazine’s best yet – in our opinion. Tonto Dike is wearing a silver chain dress by Wada Couture with very little make-up on. It was photographed by Mossa Mossa.

Genevieve Nnaji on Y! Magazine


There are very few faces on earth that can stop a heart beat for a second or two, Genevieve Nnaji has one of those mesmerising faces.  Miss Genny’s added sophistication made it a huge “hit”. The comments said it all. Photographed by Kelechi Amadi Obi, the cover gave an impression of a beauty shot and was likened to Essence magazine covers.

Helen Ajayi on TW

All we could say was wow, as former Miss Nigeria, Helen Prest Ajayi appeared on the cover of (TW Today’s Woman). Not only did she look radiant and elegant,  her youthfulness was amazing. It was hard to tell she’s 51!

The first family on the cover of Thisday Style


Dame Patience Jonathan and her family unit on the cover of Thisday Style was a rare beauty. We could barely recognise the First Lady. Photographed by TY Bello, The Dame, Mr President and their offsprings were a wonder to look at.

Bryan on Bloke Magazine


This cover screamed:  I’m sexy and I know it! The first issue of Bloke Magazine was heated up by former Mr Nigeria, Bryan Okpara. With the ocean as his backdrop, Bryan was wearing nothing but a swim trunk, with his packs in full view, no wonder it’s been tagged a man’s manual for women. Bryan was photographed by Obi Somto.

Nike Oshinowo Soleye and Miss Nigeria 2010 on Wow!


Beauty across generations. Nike Oshinowo and her Lady-in-Waiting, dazzled on the June issue of Wow Magazine. The cover projects a close relationship between Nike and Damilola, the latter being the envy of many, for who wouldn’t want Mrs Soleye as a mentor.

MBGN 2010 and Miss Nigeria 2010 on Thisday Style


The beauty about this cover was the paper dress by Toju Foyeh, which the Beauty Queens wore. It was  probably the first time in Nigerian print history where that type of high fashion creativity landed on a cover. The paper dresses were made from past issues of Thisday Style (talk about recycling), and the Queens were graceful, paper dress or not.

Asa on Victoire Magazine


Victoire is a Belgian publication, but Nigerian superstar, Asa on their June issue can not be ignored. The arty and quirkiness of the styling soothes Asa so well. The eyewear made us fall in love some more. Only Asa can rock one made out of pencils.

Stephanie Okereke on Complete Fashion

Nollywood actress, Stephanie Okereke’s Compelete Fashion cover brings an edgy feel to the glossy. The direction of the vintage themed shoot had an added twist to it with that geometric bob.

Stars cover Genevieve Magazine


It was a collector’s item –  a Genevieve magazine cover graced my Ramsey Noah, Basketmouth, Uti Nwachukwu, Banky W, Lola Maja, Monalisa Chinda and Damilola Agbajor. And it was simply stunning in its simplicity.

Comments (3)

  1. That delicious Genevieve cover made my year!

  2. The Tonto Dikey cover was a pleasant shock! It reall stoof that magazine out. If only the content made more sense

  3. I agree with you Tosin, great round up indeed. And I never saw the Asa cover until now. An interesting list I must say. Tiwa Savage should grace more covers next year, would like to see her on one of these mags.

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