Elle deputy editor admits to nerves around its mirror cover treatment for latest edition

Bauer Media’s fashion magazine Elle has ditched the typical celebrity cover for a mirrored treatment that allows the reader to see themselves as the cover model to complement the magazine’s feature celebrating the diversity of women.

Speaking to Mumbrella, Elle deputy editor Damien Woolnough admitted the magazine did have some nerves around the cover treatment, and consulted with outside cover advertiser Chanel before committing to it.

“You don’t also want to be tokenistic in any way and we’ve had quite a diverse selection of covers in our time on stands,” he said when asked why they didn’t use a range of diverse women on the cover instead.

“We’ve had an indigenous cover person with Jessica Mauboy, we’ve had diversity of shapes and ages and ethnicity with [fashion blogger and influencer] Nicole Warne and backgrounds.