Yep, it's true—2012 is almost over, and, gosh, what a fashion-filled year it has been! From the breathtaking magazine covers to the oh-so-shocking haircuts to the incredible red carpet dresses, there certainly wasn't a dull fashion moment over the past 12 months. So sit back and relax as we reminisce about all our favorite style moments of 2012.
The hyper speed instant gratification of the Internet is awfully nice, but there's also something to be said for closing that laptop and cuddling up with your favorite glossy's new issue. There's the satisfaction of feeling the pages in your hands, that half paper half perfume ads fashion mag smell, that's the perfect combination of comforting and indulgent. I mean, until you get a paper cut, that is (we still work on the internet, after all). But seriously, we love fashion mags for many reasons, not least of which being their COVERS. Seeing our favorite celebs looking amazing, and often going out of their comfort zones. taking risks, and revealing new looks is something we look forward to every month. This was a big year for our fave mags AND our fave stars, which made picking our faves SO. HARD. But we did it, you guys. Just for you.
One Direction On Wonderland
One Direction (and puppies! on the November December cover of Wonderland.
Photo: Wonderland
One Direction and puppies. There's really nothing more to say, this cover speaks for itself. It's like Wonderland magazine has concocted a secret love potion that should never have been secret. It's a no brainer, right? You combine perfectly coiffed young pop stars, crisp collars and soft cashmere with snuggly, squirmy little white lab pups and what do you think is going to happen besides a collective gasp-swoon-faint combination.
Katy Perry On Interview
Katy Perry on the cover of Interview.
Photo: Interview
This is what we were talking about when we said one of the reasons we love magazines so much is because they let our favorite stars step out of the box. We didn't even recognize Katy Perry on the March issue of Interview, what with the thick eyebrows and KILLER sultry stare. There was no sign of the bubbly pin-up we've become accustomed to, but don't get it twisted, we were definitely NOT mad.
Adele On Vogue
Adele on the cover of Vogue.
Photo: Vogue
We don't need to tell you that 2012 was a MASSIVE year for Adele. With six Grammy's in hand for her record 21, the British mega-star was on top of the world, and what better magazine is there in which to celebrate such an achievement than the hallowed pages of Vogue. On the March cover, the singer stayed true to her signature all black look and classic 60's cat eye, while also sporting some impressive decolletage and a stare that seems to go right through you. We just wish her hiatus would end already (yeah we know she's busy having a baby and being happy) so we could see more of this gorgeous, talented superstar.
Taylor Swift On Vogue
Taylor Swift on the cover of Vogue.
Photo: Vogue
While it was never hard to guess that Taylor Swift might harbor a major admiration for Joni Mitchell, her February Vogue cover and interior photo shoot made us absolutely sure of it. In a floppy brown felt hat, her bright blue eyes staring straight into the camera, Taylor showed off her straight blonde locks, bangs and simple beauty look in a cozy looking sweater against a light blue sky. While this certainly wasn't her only cover this year, and we loved many of them, this was the one we felt really ushered in a Taylor's current look and style.
Nicki Minaj on Complex
Nicki Minaj's double covers on Complex's 10th anniversary issue.
Photo: Complex
Nicki Minaj shared QUADRUPLE covers with Justin Bieber for Complex's 10th anniversary issue. While Justin got the crap kicked out of him, Nicki went for a different kind of graphic look on her two covers, pairing a fluffy white bobbed wig with a lavender lip and abstract, modern makeup. Licking a lollipop with a black and white striped tongue in her first cover, the magazine captures that combo if insanity and genius that's pure Minaj and we can never get enough of. Nicki was another star who saw her share of covers, but it was this one that we think will stand the test of time as one of her iconic looks.
Lady Gaga On Vogue
Lady Gaga on the cover of Vogue.
Photo: Vogue
Lady Gaga let the news leak that she was going to be Vogue's September cover girl a wee bit early, and obviously left us all panting for the photo. It was well worth any waiting we had to do though. That purple dress reminded us of a perfectly wrapped candy, that high-as-heaven hair of the clouds themselves, and we LOVED it. It was Gaga's second cover for the mag, and after her first, the perfect pink helmet of a bob and the hands on her hips stubborn pose, we had very high expectations. They were met completely, and now here we are again, panting for the next one.
Charli XCX, Sky Ferreira, and Grimes On V
Charli XCX, Sky Ferreira, and Grimes on the cover of V.
Photo: V
It's one thing seeing your favorite superstars all over the local newsstand (or in your Google Reader), but there's a whole next level kind of excitement that comes from seeing one of your favorite up-and-coming artists looking out at you while you buy your morning coffee. You know what we mean: those artists whose stars you've been watching rise since they were just starting out, and who you'll be rooting for all the way. Well we got that excitement times three with V put Charli XCX, Grimes, AND Sky Ferreira on their cover. Together. We know they'll all be blowing up covers individually some day soon, but seeing them altogether warmed our cold cold hearts until they melted.
Emma Stone On Vogue
Emma Stone on the cover of Vogue.
Photo: Vogue
Emma Stone's Vogue cover was but one of MANY covers she did this year, but it was by far our favorite. It took Emma out of her usually cheery comfort zone with a look that was sultry and soft, a combination that is NOT easy to achieve, We loved her kohl lined eyes and peachy makeup, paired with a satin dress and comfy-looking sweater. It was just as high fashion as we expect Vogue to be and almost more so for being so effortless.
Selena Gomez On Elle
Selena Gomez on the cover of Elle.
Photo: Elle
It's so hard to pick just one of Selena Gomez's 2012 covers, but we had to, and we decided that our favorite was for Elle. It was a major grown up moment for the former child star, and she OWNED it. Let's be real, though, this girl ALWAYS looks amazing, but this was one for the scrapbook for sure. In an embellished mesh Dolce & Gabbana corset and a brick red lip, Selena looked classically beautiful AND like she could eat you for breakfast. She has a lot to look forward to in 2013, though, so this is clearly not that last we have seen of this glamazon.
Check out our top covers from last year and let us know your 2012 picks in the comments!
Big & Best of 2012: A Year End Celebration Presented by T-Mobile goes LIVE at 12pm on 12/12/12. Watch at www.bigandbestof2012.com for 8 hours of LIVE performances by Grace Potter, Metric, Alt-J, Thompson Square, First Aid Kit, and Dustin Lynch; surprise guest appearances, prize giveaways, special editions of Rapfix Live, Big Morning Buzz Live, MTV News After Hours, You Oughta Know and much more!!
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