5 Best French Fashion Magazines!

By Loveena On Feb 1, 2023

Fashion journalism initially appeared in France. So, if you’re looking for the best fashion ideas, pick French fashion magazines.

These publications not only give us advice when we don’t know what to wear, direct our attention to lovely things we should want, and forecast fashion trends, but they also represent and influence society.

Additionally, they are so stunning that we want to hang them as wall art in our houses!

French fashion publications have a significant impact on how we view the world, choose to dream, and choose what to covet, in addition to how we dress and style ourselves.

Vogue France, L’Officiel, Madame Figaro, Elle, and Numéro are five of the most important French fashion periodicals.

Let’s browse the top French fashion publications that provide us with countless ideas for living stylishly.

Table of Contents

Vogue France

Vogue is rightfully called “The Fashion Bible.” This magazine has inspired us with stunning photos and words for over a century.

French Vogue has collaborated with creatives since its inaugural issue to create a captivating magazine. This magazine showcases the latest collections from prominent and emerging fashion designers and transports us to magnificent worlds through its fashion editorials.

Photography giants Hoyningen-Huene, Horst, Bourdin, Klein, Newton, Watson, Lindbergh, Testino, and Inez & Vinoodh created some of the most unforgettable spreads. The magazine has regularly featured Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld.

Vogue was founded in 1892 as a New York socialite magazine. Condé Nast Publications launched the fashion magazine in 1909. Eleven years later, Vogue Paris began a cult following in France.

Vogue Paris was renamed Vogue France in November 2021 to reflect its new inclusive focus. Vogue France showcases France’s skills, voices, and culture beyond its fashion city.

Catherine Deneuve and Kate Moss have the most French Vogue covers. As a “new generation French icon,” singer Aya Nakamura was the first Vogue France cover model.

L’Officiel

The Backstory: L’Officiel began as a trade newspaper for high-end international fashion buyers and others in the fashion industry.

Fun fact: L’Officiel helped launch the careers of many well-known fashion designers today, including Pierre Balmain, Cristóbal Balenciaga, Christian Dior, and Yves St Laurent. Initially, the journal offered three separate languages in one title: English, French, and Spanish. L’Officiel de la Couture et de la Mode de Paris is its full title (The Paris Fashion and Couture Official).

Madame Figaro

Madame Figaro began as a single-page spread in the Le Figaro magazine supplement to the Le Figaro newspaper.

Karl Lagerfeld was the guest editor-in-chief of Madame Figaro in September 2010. A unique edition commemorating the 1950s was created by the designer and pals. Madam Figaro was one of the first French journals to feature in-depth coverage of other women’s lives and stories.

Elle

The Lo-Down: Elle began as a supplement to the French-language newspaper France-Soir. Elle has always advocated for women’s rights. The magazine swiftly gained popularity, with a readership of 800,000 by the 1960s.

Fun fact: Elle was one of the first magazines to discontinue using animal fur on its covers. Brigitte Bardot, at 17, received her first Elle cover in 1952, months before her big-screen debut.

Numéro

Numéro was created by Elisabeth, who intended to create a fashion magazine for intellectual women interested in art, design, and style, rather than anti-wrinkle creams and instructions for charming men.

In February 2009, Numéro published its 100th issue. Toni Garrn, a German model and actress, graced the cover of this special jubilee edition.

While the views and perspectives of Vogue France, L’Officiel, Madame Figaro, Elle, and Numéro differ, these five French fashion magazines have the commitment to represent changing societies as well as fashions. So we’re inspired to think as well as dream.