In the battle of the September covers, it's not a Hollywood A-lister or a nepo baby who's stealing the spotlight—it's a beagle named Sansa Martínez Berlingeri. While British Vogue and Vogue US face backlash for overly retouched and soulless imagery, Dogue magazine's canine cover stars are winning the internet with their unfiltered charm. Welcome to the AI face era, where dogs are the most authentic models we've got.
The September Issue Showdown: Vogue vs. Dogue
September issues are fashion's biggest moment, and this year's lineup has sparked intense debate. British Vogue put Nicole Kidman on its cover, shot by Venetia Scott, but the result was met with accusations of excessive airbrushing—some even wondered if it was an AI-generated version of the 59-year-old actress. Meanwhile, Vogue US debuted its first cover under new editor Chloe Malle, featuring Kaia Gerber and Homer Gere (yes, the nepo babies), photographed by Steven Meisel. Critics called it bland, with one journalist comparing it to a back-to-school catalog.
Enter Dogue, the dog fashion magazine founded by Oli Port in 2019. Its September issue features Bad Bunny's beagle Sansa, Lena Dunham's pups Ingrid and Cornichon, and Millie Bobby Brown's miniature poodle. The Bad Bunny cover, shot by Eric Rojas in a nostalgic Lady and the Tramp style, shows Sansa staring winsomely at the camera, one paw held by her owner, a bowl of spaghetti in front of her. The internet collectively swooned.
Why Dogs Trump Humans in Authenticity
Dogs don't have egos. They don't care about angles or lighting—they just want a snack. That's according to Port, who says dogs are perfect cover stars because they're "just so authentic." In an era where AI-generated faces are everywhere, from Instagram filters to fully virtual models, a real, messy, living creature feels revolutionary.
Celebrity stylist Marian Kwei notes that the Kidman cover reflects a wider trend where "everyone is kind of looking like each other." The smooth, poreless, youthful ideal—what writer Jia Tolentino called "Instagram face"—has become so mainstream that wrinkles are now being rebranded as status symbols. Against this backdrop, Sansa's wonky tongue and soulful eyes are a breath of fresh air.
The Nepo Baby Problem and the Search for Story
Vogue US's cover choice of Gerber and Gere—children of Cindy Crawford and Richard Gere, respectively—has been criticized as soulless. "We are tired of the nepo babies," says Kwei, who argues that the cover lacks deeper context and storytelling. In contrast, the 1992 cover featuring their parents, shot by Herb Ritts on a beach, had a narrative that made it iconic. The new version, shot in a gray studio, feels flat.
Fashion journalist Lauren Sherman points out that covers matter more than ever because they get shared online, but it's harder than ever to find a celebrity who resonates across generations and subcultures. Dogs, on the other hand, transcend all demographics. They're meme-able, relatable, and universally loved.
The Politics of the AI Face
Jen Golbeck, an expert on social media and co-author of The Purest Bond, links the trend to a broader cultural shift. "We're seeing this veer back towards early 2000s skinny culture," she says, "and there's a lot of politics with that aesthetic—it aligns with the Trump, MAGA lady aesthetic and patriarchal views on what women are supposed to look like." Dogs, by contrast, don't carry that baggage. They're just dogs.
In a world where we can't trust what we see—whether it's AI-generated models or heavily edited celebrities—dogs offer a grounding truth. They are unapologetically real, and that's exactly what we need.
Comparison: Vogue vs. Dogue September Covers
| Aspect | Vogue (US & UK) | Dogue |
|---|---|---|
| Cover Stars | Nicole Kidman; Kaia Gerber & Homer Gere | Bad Bunny's beagle Sansa; Lena Dunham's dogs; Millie Bobby Brown's poodle |
| Visual Style | Studio shots, airbrushed, polished | Nostalgic, candid, playful |
| Reception | Mixed to negative; accusations of AI-like retouching and nepotism | Universally praised; viral and meme-friendly |
| Authenticity | Low; faces appear flawless but artificial | High; dogs are unretouched and genuine |
| Cultural Message | Perpetuates unattainable beauty standards | Celebrates imperfection and joy |
The Rise of Dog Fashion Media
Dogue magazine, launched in 2019 as "the world's first dog fashion magazine," has carved out a niche that resonates with a generation tired of perfectionism. Founder Oli Port is currently in a legal dispute with Condé Nast, which launched its own Dogue in 2024—proof that the concept has mainstream appeal. But Port's original remains the one that captures hearts.
As Golbeck puts it, "We're seeing models that don't actually exist. They're entirely AI." Dogs, on the other hand, are the opposite of AI. They're messy, unpredictable, and full of personality. In a culture obsessed with filters and face-tuning, that's a radical statement.
FAQ
Why are dogs becoming fashion cover stars?
Dogs offer authenticity and charm in an era of AI-generated and heavily edited imagery. Their unpretentious nature provides a refreshing contrast to the polished, often soulless human covers.
What is the "AI face" trend?
It's the homogenization of beauty standards, where faces are digitally altered to look poreless, youthful, and similar—often to the point of looking artificial. This trend has been accelerated by AI tools and filters.
How did Dogue magazine start?
Dogue was founded by Oli Port in 2019 as a satirical fashion magazine featuring dogs. It has since become a beloved publication, despite a legal battle with Condé Nast over the name.
Why was the Vogue US cover criticized?
The cover featuring Kaia Gerber and Homer Gere was criticized for being bland and lacking storytelling. Critics also pointed out that the models are "nepo babies" who haven't yet proven their star power.
Will dogs replace human models?
Not entirely, but they offer a compelling alternative for brands and publications looking to connect with audiences seeking authenticity and humor. Dogs are a reminder that fashion doesn't always have to be serious.
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