Behind every photoshoot from our 25 years of image making, there are so many stories to be told. That’s why we have called this mini anthology “Fashion Stories.” Remembering just some of the many moments that have collectively created fashion photography history. From Lady Gaga and Lana del Rey, to Beyoncé and Britney Spears, scroll through to discover V’s Greatest Hits from the last two and a half decades of fantasy!

Anne Hathaway

THE CINEMA SWEETHEART

When it comes to Anne Hathaway (or Annie as V has come to know her), it’s no secret that one of America’s sweethearts is familiar with the idea of transformation. Since her acting debut in the Disney film The Princess Diaries, starring alongside the legendary Julie Andrews, the world has seen her metamorphosis both on and off screen over the course of two decades. V finally got our chance to capture the supernova as she was set to star in the highly anticipated rom-com The Idea of You earlier this year. Gracing not one, but two gen- der-bending covers for V148, the actor pretty much broke the internet going full butch (and full femme) in her haute couture looks from the likes of Dolce&Gabbana Alta Moda, Maison Margiela Artisanal, Valentino, and Chanel— further proving her range is simply limitless.

Beyoncé

THE WORLD-BUILDER

We know now that she was destined to rule the world, but in the fall of 2003, when Beyoncé first appeared as a solo artist on V’s cover, she was just one member of a chart-topping, Grammy-winning R&B group trying to stake her own claim in pop music. You can see that sense of radiant youth and determination in Mario Testino’s photos of the young megastar as she prepared to release what would become her record-breaking debut album, Dangerously in Love. This moment marked the beginning of Beyoncé’s ascent as a cultural icon, blending fierce ambition with a celebration of modern, sophisticated feminism. Just a few years later, in the spring of 2005, she again appeared on the cover of V, this time with Destiny’s Child and shot by the incomparable Inez & Vinoodh. Fast forward to 2008, when she again appeared on the cover solo, this time as an established powerhouse. With I Am… Sasha Fierce under her belt, Beyoncé solidified her status as Queen Bee, navigating the complexities of fame with grace and grit. Her artistry was more than entertainment; it was a movement. Each cover captured her evolution as a relentless force that has wildly transformed the landscape of music and culture forever.

Billie Eilish

THE PRODIGY TURNED POWERHOUSE

In 2019, as V celebrated our 20th anniversary, Billie Eilish was busy mounting a cultural revolution. Her debut album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? had just been released a few months earlier, transforming Eilish from an under-ground phenomenon into a global icon. Appearing on our magazine’s cover, shot by Inez & Vinoodh, Eilish represented a fresh incarnation of the iconoclastic underground spirit that is at the heart of everything V does–the voice of restless youth yearning for self-expression. And her rise signaled a seismic shift in the cultural landscape, where artistry was becoming intertwined with radical self-acceptance and self-love. Three short years later when she appeared on V’s cover again in 2022, Eilish had become a multi-Grammy winning, Oscar nominated, superstar at only 20 years old. As reflected in the moody, complex, absolutely stunning images captured by Hedi Slimane for the cover, keeping that commitment to self-love had become harder as Eilish confronted the conflict between her mega fame and her actual life, themes explored on her sophomore LP Happier Than Ever. As she has continued to do throughout her astonishing career, Eilish hasn’t merely pushed boundaries, she has reshaped pop music’s psyche, asserting that fearless self-expression and a commitment to self-love is the path to power.

Britney Spears

THE PRINCESS OF POP

Pop music was never the same after Britney Spears entered the fray in 1998 with her hit single “…Baby One More Time.” Now, the singer’s name is practically inextricable from pop, her career and music serving as an archetype that even today’s youngest stars respect and emulate. For Spring 2011, Mario Testino captured Ms. Spears in all her vivacious glory for the cover of our Starpower Issue. Styled by Panos Yiapanis, the legendary icon discussed music, astrology, and her definition of a femme fatale. We had the honor of having Spears on our cover “one more time” for V100, a landmark issue for us celebrating 100 editions of V. To this day, these shoots remain in the canon of Spears visuals for her millions of dedicated global fans.

Charli XCX, Grimes, Sky Ferreira

POP’S HOLY TRINITY

It should come as no surprise to anyone that V know a star when we see one. Around the 2010s, an era in pop culture history that created effects that continue to be felt a decade later, a constellation of burgeoning stars were crossing before our eyes with the arrival of three genre-breaking musicians by the names of Charli XCX, Grimes, and Sky Ferreira. As this trio of musical maestros in their own right were busy creating their own little worlds where they reigned supreme, V managed to get the girls together for the cover of V78, an issue that has gone on to become one of our most covetable (and most demanded for a part two.) With Charli painting the world brat green this year, Sky finally breaking free from previous restrictions and releasing music that already is highly buzzed about—both of whom returned to V exactly ten years after the trio cover for their solo covers of our V137 issue (pretty in pink, of course)—and Grimes continuing to be lightyears ahead with her sonic style and even becoming a mother, V will always be ready to witness in wonder what else they have up their sleeves.

Christy Turlington

THE PHILANTHROPIC BEAUTY

The word that comes to mind when we think of Christy Turlington is “loyalty”. Having been ushered into the world of V back in 2002, photographed by Inez & Vinoodh (then painted by artist Richard Phillips) for the cover of V19, that moment has gone on to become part of fashion photography history (even serving as the backdrop for Turlington’s recent Marc Jacobs campaign). Going on to cover V48 and V55, also lensed by the Dutch duo, the supermodel with a philanthropic heart of gold (with her long-standing involvement as the founder
of the organization Every Mother Counts) has, through her relationship with V, embodied the phrase “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” In fact, Turlington has paid us many visits throughout the years; from recently interviewing cover star Karlie Kloss to participating in our “V is for Vote” series, and even her daughter Grace Burns and nephew James Turlington following in her modeling footsteps for our pages. Keeping it in the V family is the name of the game!

David Bowie

THE ICON’S ICON

You could say David Bowie and Iman are the spiritual fairy godparents of V. From the very inception of the magazine, they were tireless supporters, key sources of inspiration, and generous cover stars. David Bowie’s V18 cover from 2002 appeared just as he released Heathen, Bowie’s first studio album in more than a decade. Shot by Mario Testino, these images captured the artist at a moment when nostalgia and futurism collided—his iconic persona, as magnetic and enigmatic as ever, now infused with a timeless wisdom that resonated deeply in the post-9/11 world. Bowie, forever the chameleon, was not just reflecting the times but actively shaping them, exploring themes of loss, identity, and resilience. As he embraced the digital age, beginning a new era of astonishing musical output, Bowie showed once again that while he was undeniably one of the greatest rock stars to ever live, he was also a cultural sage: an artist driven by unwavering curiosity, empathy, and a profound sense of shared humanity.

Doja Cat

THE SHAPESHIFTER

Doja Cat is the kind of artist who redefines perceptions of pop music and pop stardom. V have been into her since she was a V Girl back in 2019. From the very beginning, Doja was staking her claim as the poster child for a new generation of boundary-blurring, internet-savvy stars. When she first appeared on our V129 cover in the spring of 2021, dressed as a living breathing AI fever dream for the lens of Steven Klein, she cemented her status as one of V’s most inventive and unconventional faces. She’s a shapeshifter—one minute a meme queen, the next a fashion-forward provocateur, then a genre-defying rapper-singer who can effortlessly glide between trap beats and glossy pop hooks. She’s playful but also deadly serious, turning social media into her own performance art space, trolling her audience while also giving them exactly what they desire. By 2023, when she again appeared on the V143 cover captured by Hedi Slimane — this time physically transformed into an IRL version of the bald headed baddie she’d inhabited on our first cover — Doja had officially established herself as a rising icon, redefining what it means to be a pop star, embodying the chaotic, hyper-real energy of the digital age that birthed her while preserving total control over her image like an old-fashioned movie star.

ETHEL CAIN

THE PUNISHER

With her debut album Preacher’s Daughter, V were instantly hooked on Ethel Cain. Her uniquely pop-goth sound was something we had to put on display, and our Spring 2023 issue was a more than perfect opportunity to get a first-hand scoop on all things Ethel. Photographed by Steven Klein, the “Reign of Ethel Cain” was inspired by the paintings of Diego Velázquez and is one of our favorite covers to date. In an exclusive interview with Florence Welch (of Florence and the Machine), the cover story is chock-full of hot gossip, from LSD psychosis, to religion and interesting kinks. A thrilling bonus comes from the styling by Patti Wilson, putting Cain in ensembles fit for punk royalty. With new music on the horizon, including the release of “Punish” in November, the future is looking bright for one of our most exciting stars on the rise.

GIGI HADID

THE FORCE OF NATURE

One of V’s long-standing muses, our relationship with Gigi Hadid is the stuff of fairytales. Since appearing in V88 at the age of 18 for an editorial that served as one of her first (ever!), V knew from the very beginning that the girl with curly blonde hair and a smize to slay was destined for supermodel stardom. So much was our confidence in Hadid that V has given her five covers across the span of one incredible decade, including creative projects such as The Gigi Journal, where Gigi had her turn to play editor (and photographer). From posing in lingerie and Louboutins alongside sister Bella for Steven Klein (which happens to be one of the few times the sisters have ever shot together to this day) to cruising on the waves of Miami riding a Fendi jet ski and traipsing in Balenciaga on the West Side Highway in Manhattan for Mario Sorrenti, V have put our relationship to the test—and the results speak for themselves.

GISELE BÜNDCHEN

THE GLAMAZON

If you *literally* look up the term “supermodel” on Google, the first image you’ll find is of Gisele Bündchen. A mainstay since her industry-shattering debut in the late ‘90s, the bombshell (or “bomba” as they say in Portuguese) has made a splash across a trifecta of covers for V—not including a special cover for our once-upon-a-time Spanish sister publication, V Spain, by photographer Hedi Slimane—and has since been spotted in many memorable editorials across the years. Who can forget her V54 cover, where stylist Nicola Formichetti ripped up some Guess denim shorts into a cheeky little thong? Or when photographer Mario Testino captured the Brazilian powerhouse in the open back trunk of a Mercedes for our V59 summer swimsuit issue in 2009? And, most recently, her return to supermodeldom for V136 when she was 43 years old? Make no mistake, Gisele is our girl.

JANET JACKSON

THE LYRICAL LEGEND

When V first captured the one and only Janet Jackson, the musician was fresh off of her controversial Super Bowl XXXVIII Halftime performance (you know the one) and was ready to usher in a new musical chapter (and alter ego) with Damita Jo, the icon’s eighth studio album. Gracing the cover of V28 back in 2004, photographed by Inez and Vinoodh, our love affair with Miss Jackson began—prompting her second cover in 2007 with Jean-Paul Goude, creating two memorable moments in our history. Ones that seemingly pulled a page out of the Kate Moss for Calvin Klein handbook—proving the notion yet again that sometimes all you need is a good pair of well-fitting jeans (and a superhuman level of star power) to create legendary moments in fashion history.

KATE MOSS

THE INDIVIDUALISTIC ICON

Few people casually have four covers with a single publication—including one with Rihanna—but Kate Moss is an anomalous model. For her first cover, which hit stands in January of 2004, the icon donned Burberry and even had the V logo stylized with the brand’s iconic tartan. Only a year and a half later, Moss threw on a beard for Inez and Vinoodh, the former of which wrote her cover story. It concluded with this inquisition on the Brit, “Could Kate’s desirability make us forget about war, money, power, and other catastrophes? I fucking hope so.” For V40, a beachy blonde issue, Moss styled herself and named Anita Pallenberg as her personal style icon. Later in 2009, she posed for our swimsuit issue in that iconic hair coat by Martin Margiela, part of a series that also included Naomi and Gisele. In every appearance Moss has made in our glossy pages, she’s managed to present a wildly different version of herself, while still delivering that special, cheeky quality only she carries.

LADY GAGA

THE ETERNAL MUSE

Lady Gaga (aka Mother Monster) has graced the covers of seven V issues, including V99, a publication with 16 individual covers entirely guest-edited by the pop legend. That one in particular was an ode to Gaga’s Fashion Guard—the photographers, stylists, designers, artists, and personalities that helped helm a rapidly thriving career. Gaga’s unequivocal genius is one we had to be first in line to explore in our fall fashion issue back in 2009, when “Just Dance” was all anyone could hum. V67 cast Gaga as Lady Liberty alongside Marc Jacobs for our New York Issue, spectacularly lensed by Mario Testino, the issue united art and fashion in a very V way! V71 captures a three-headed Gaga in conversation with Elton John, while V85 features Gaga salaciously captured by Inez & Vinoodh in her Artpop era. Our Fall 2017 music issue spotlights Gaga’s widespread, as commemorated with a V cover each step of the way. As one of our most loyal and inspiring collaborators, we’re honored to have played such a role in Gaga’s exploration of fashion and beyond.

LANA DEL REY

THE VISIONARY

In 2017, our enigmatic soft-rock pop princess gave us the much-anticipated follow-up to her chart-topping album, Honeymoon, with the ever-so heart-wrenching “Lust for Life” and reminded us how lucky we are to be graced with the stunningly haunting voice of LDR. The one and only Stevie Nicks sat down with our 108th cover star to chat about sad songs, living in the Hollywood sign (a reference to Del Rey’s latest music video at the time), and the escape that songwriters feel they owe to their listeners. Shot by Steven Klein and styled by Robbie Spencer, the shoot very much pulled on Del Rey’s self-created nostalgic aesthetics, captured through a very V lens. This is one of our favorite types of artists to work with; those who are so committed to their unique and mesmerizing vision, but also ready to play and create alongside our teams.

LINDA EVANGELISTA

THE CHAMELEON

Since first appearing in V in the early years of the new millennium, the chameleon of fashion has proven herself worthy of that title time and time again, over many decades in the business. Having been a supermodel for over forty years (a feat that deserves a celebration of its own) and being on an estimated 700+ magazine covers, Evangelista has graced three of our issues— V14 in 2001, V27 in 2004, and most recently in V146, just last year. With each cover came a new Linda Evangelista that V has welcomed with open arms. Whether it was Evangelista in her early aughts style era (from newsboy caps to bronze lamé tops) or going full-on Bond girl as V gilded her in gold for her comeback cover with photographer Steven Klein, Ms. Evangelista will always be a V girl at heart.

LISA

THE GLOBAL VOICE

Lisa Manobal (also known singularly as Lisa) graced her first cover of V Magazine only months after breaking YouTube records with her solo debut. Of course, the shoot for our Fall 2022 cover further solidified the global superstar’s career outside of her fame within BLACKPINK, one of the biggest pop music acts of the last several decades and the forerunner of female K-Pop bands. Although a bit tongue-in-cheek, the cover story pointed out that Lisa’s fame has perhaps surpassed that of even the Mona Lisa as the pop star’s prowess continued to grow in the Western world, far from where she started her career. And then of course, for the issue within which this anthology lives, Lisa embodies the four seasons, as shot by Inez & Vinoodh, celebrating Earth’s rotation around the sun for the coming year.

MADONNA

THE HIGH PRIESTESS OF POP

Appearing first with fellow pop goddess Katy Perry on the cover of V89 in 2014, then again on the cover of V133 in 2021, both shot by Steven Klein– Madonna’s V moments have been testaments to her evolving artistry and unmatched influence. The queen of pop has always stood as a fierce example of the power of resilience and reinvention, but she’s never been more radiant or inspiring than in her “Madonna Forever” solo cover, conceived as an homage to the glamor and tragedy of Marilyn Monroe’s final shoot as captured by photographer Bert Stern in his legendary book “The Last Sitting.” The shoot coincided with the release of Madonna’s concert documentary, Madame X, which chronicled the singer’s record-breaking world tour in support of her 14th studio album of the same name. The Madame X period was particularly rich, as Madonna explored familiar themes of identity, rebellion, and empowerment from a new vantage point, pushing against the constraints of genre and expectations about how pop stars should age. Madonna’s enduring commitment to creativity and unapologetic authenticity continue to inspire, proving that the relentless pursuit of artistic expression can be the quest of a lifetime.

MARIAH CAREY

THE ULTIMATE DIVA

“V BELONG TOGETHER!” reads the cover line for Mariah Carey’s first V cover story, shot by Karl Lagerfeld and published in January of 2006. The V logo on V39 was composed of none other than Bvlgari bling, with the divine diva totally dripping in diamonds throughout her story, in which she’s quoted: “A lot of people take it seriously when I’m making a diva comment. But my mom’s an opera diva. I grew up in the most dramatic place ever.” Over the years, the powerhouse splashed her sparkling smile across three different V covers. In 2018, Carey and V’s EIC Stephen Gan chatted over a glass of wine about her shoot at the Ritz Paris with Mario Testino for V112. This was a year after she performed at a V dinner for Lagerfeld, resulting in that iconic photo in which the designer is seen kissing the hand of the music doyenne. (Fun fact: That photo is hanging up at the V offices today). In 2020, Carey came home to pose for Inez and Vinoodh for our “V Is For Vote” series and waxed lyrical about the importance of participating in democracy. It’s never “Bye Bye” when it comes to Carey; in fact, she’ll always be our baby.

MILEY CYRUS

THE POP PROVOCATEUR

The summer of 2013, Miley Cyrus took a wrecking ball to her squeaky clean Disney persona. That same season, she starred on the cover of V83. Her story was appropriately titled: “The Emancipation of Miley,” and featured an interview between Cyrus and Pharrell Williams. In it, Cyrus is at her boldest—the perfect time for a V cover—wearing barely anything except for briefs, studded cuffs, and the occasional leather jacket, sans bra. When she’s in pants, naturally, they’re unzipped or pulled down to her cheeks. It goes without saying, this is the
salacious result of Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele and Mario Testino putting their heads together. A year later, the pop provocateur blessed our cover a second time, also styled by Cerf de Dudzeele, and shot and interviewed by none other than Karl Lagerfeld, one of V’s many godparents. Lagerfeld’s opener? “I think, in fact, you are a very decent girl and well educated, you just like to provoke. What is more fun than to shock the bourgeois anyway?”

NAOMI CAMPBELL

THE QUEEN OF THE CATWALK

For V151, Naomi Campbell celebrated her fifth time fronting an issue of V Magazine. Indisputably one of the biggest names in fashion, Campbell’s V covers are some of our most iconic, and having the world-renowned face on the cover preceding this very special issue is only appropriate given our longstanding relationship with her. Having worked with top photographers like Mario Sorrenti, Inez & Vinoodh, Nick Knight, and Sølve Sundsbo, each moment on this page encapsulates the synergy and creativity that happens when Naomi is on set for a V shoot. At 54, Campbell demonstrates that age is, of course, just a number. Her celebrated beauty has continued to enchant every catwalk she’s graced for 38 years, and V have no doubt she will continue to stand at the vanguard of this ever-changing industry.

NICKI MINAJ

THE RAPTUROUS RHYMER

It’s no secret that V are Barbs. In between the success of “Super Bass” and “Starships”, Nicki Minaj posed for her first V cover, shot by Inez & Vinoodh and styled by George Cortina. The story, titled “The Rise and Rise of Nicki Minaj,” totally met the moment. At the time, Barbie and Roman, Minaj’s alter egos, were evolving into their proudest forms. And we got a peek into that Minaj-a-trois in a tastefully disheveled, high-concept shoot in which the Grammy-nominated rapper hits us with her iconic pink-lipped scowl, crazed cat eyes, and painted body-ody-ody. Since then, she starred in V92, a cover story we can only describe as Barbie, if Barbie were a goddess in the Pantheon of rap. Most recently, the pink princess herself covered the first edition of our iconic Gigi Journal series. A testament to how V keep it in the family.

PENÉLOPE CRUZ

THE ACTOR’S ACTOR

In the thirteen years between Penélope Cruz’s first V cover in 2011 and her most recent one just last year, we are proud to report that the Spanish powerhouse hasn’t really changed much. Cruz’s authenticity and raw talent are what make her such a beloved part of V’s history—and the Oscar-winning actor hasn’t lost a shred of those qualities. “Everything else that is happening is an extra that I never asked for,” Cruz said in her V147 interview, echoing the gratitude
expressed in her V72 interview, when she said, “I feel like an actress who is very fortunate to get work with continuity, to make a living from the job that I love so much.” Cruz’s recent return to V serves as a testament of our loyalty to V’s collaborators, especially because Dua Lipa had her V cover debut six years ago and came back to interview her pal. That’s familia!

PRINCE

THE MASTERMIND

The master of mystery and reinvention, when he appeared on the cover of V’s Fall Preview issue in 2013, shot on tour by Inez & Vinoodh in one of the artist’s last ever portraits, Prince was deep into his latest transformation, as elusive and uncompromising as ever. He’d spent the previous decade refining his image as both a musical genius and a self-contained industry. After breaking free from major label control, Prince was now fully in charge of his output, releasing albums on his own terms, experimenting with distribution models, and playing
intimate, guerrilla-style concerts that felt like personal sermons. In a world obsessed with digital downloads and streaming, he still preached the gospel of the album, insisting on the sanctity of the full, immersive experience. His Minneapolis compound, Paisley Park, had become a mythic fortress of creativity, and he guarded it like a 21st-century wizard. Prince was a legend beyond time, an artist refusing to be tamed by trends or technology, always working, always reimagining what it meant to be truly free.

RIHANNA

THE FOREVER BAD GIRL

V have been lucky enough to see mononym and music royalty, Rihanna, on two covers of our magazine—both outdo each other when it comes to being scandalously good. For Rihanna’s first V cover, V82, she shared the spotlight with none other than Kate Moss. Organized on the fly—or, one could argue, in the heat of the moment—Mario Testino captured these two beauties in a sapphic, voyeuristic shoot titled, “The Only Girls in the World.” For her second cover, Rihanna hit the gas pump in a blonde rage, as photographer Steven Klein and stylist Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele reunited for the songstress after not having collaborated on a shoot in 20 years. Of the shoot’s results, Cerf de Dudzeele said, “Sublime. Her nonchalance plus her attitude plus her cat eyes plus her voice—to die for—equals perfection!”

This cover story appears in the pages of V152: now available for purchase!