From Casting to Cover: How to Be on the Cover of Vogue

How to Get on the Cover of Vogue: The Real Journey Begins Here

So, you want to be on the cover of Vogue. Yeah, the Vogue. The one that’s been running fashion and pop culture for over a century. The one with Beyoncé in that dreamy Valentino. Or Zendaya, just casually redefining elegance. That cover of Vogue. You are not alone. Thousands of dreamers, models, creators, and even total unknowns chase that exact dream, and guess what? With the rise of the Vogue Open Casting, it’s actually... kind of possible now.

Not easy. But possible.

Let’s get into how you go from filling out a casting call form on your phone to seeing your face on the most iconic Vogue magazine cover ever printed.

The dream used to be gate kept, not anymore

There was a time when getting on the cover of Vogue meant you had to be scouted by an agency at 14, walk in Milan, live in New York, and have Anna Wintour breathe in your direction. But in 2023, Vogue did something wild: They launched the Vogue Open Casting, a global search for new faces who are, as they put it,” redefining beauty.” (NYT did a whole thing about it here.)

Anyone over 18 could apply, and they really meant anyone. You did not have to be signed to an agency. You just needed to upload your photos, answer some casting call content questions (pretty basic stuff, actually), and agree to the Submission Agreement and applicable privacy policy. And then? Wait and hope. And wait some more.

Interestingly, they got over 20,000 submissions from across the world, people from India, Brazil, Nigeria, France, and just about everywhere in between. (If you’re wondering, yes, Vogue India is part of the family, and yes, they’ve had their own regional stars shine too.)

So what exactly happens after submitting Vogue Open?

Let’s break this down because this part gets real. Once you submit, your data (and images, and responses, and everything else) gets reviewed by a team of Vogue editors, photographers, stylists, and casting directors. According to Vogue’s official info page, this includes agreeing to let them use your name, photo, and likeness, which is... pretty standard in the world of castings but still important to read carefully.

If you make it to the shortlist, someone contacts you. You are not guaranteed anything, not a contract, not a shoot, not a cover of Vogue, but you’re on the radar now. And that, in this industry, is massive.

Eventually, 8 winners were selected for the first-ever Vogue Open Casting feature, and it was kind of revolutionary. Not only did they get to model for a Vogue editorial, but they also appeared across different international editions, including the cover of Vogue in some regions. That’s huge. Like, wake-your-mother-up-at-3am huge.

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Okay but realistically... how do you actually get on the cover of Vogue?

Alright, here’s the honest answer. The Vogue Open Casting is a great way in, but it is not the only one. Many models still go the traditional route: agencies, walking fashion weeks, networking with photographers, building a portfolio so strong it punches through editors’ inboxes. Some have made it after going viral online (thank you, TikTok). Others got there by being in the right room with the right people at the right time.

But however you get there, your vibe needs to align with the moment Vogue is trying to create. One year, they want minimalism and quiet power. The next, they want chaos and color and maximalist storytelling. Being on the cover of Vogue means fitting into their evolving narrative, but also standing out just enough to define it.

A lot of people on Reddit (like this thread) talk about how getting on the cover of Vogue feels impossible, but every year, someone does it. Usually more than one. And many of them did not have connections at the start.

Behind the scenes: It’s not all glam

Also, read about the making of a Vogue cover. Because this part gets missed a lot. The actual shoot? It is intense. There are stylists pulling 10-hour fittings, hair teams, makeup artists, assistants holding lights, photographers shouting over wind machines, and you, standing there, trying to embody all of it without looking like you are thinking too hard.

Being on the Vogue magazine cover means you're carrying the weight of that issue’s message. Whether it is political, artistic, emotional, or revolutionary, that image is supposed to speak volumes before anyone even opens the magazine.

And honestly, that kind of pressure? It is not for everyone.

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So, should you try for the next open casting call?

Absolutely. If your gut says go, go. The next open casting call might be announced anytime soon (the last one was in spring 2023), and there is literally no harm in submitting Vogue Open again and again if you feel like you’ve grown or your look has changed.

Just make sure you read the Submission Agreement closely, understand the applicable privacy policy, and put real thought into your casting call content. They are not just looking at your face; they are looking for something that fits their vision of now.

Whether it is Vogue India, Vogue Paris, Vogue US, or digital editions, the cover of Vogue is still the holy grail for models and creatives alike. And it is not out of reach.

In the end...

Getting on the cover of Vogue is a mix of timing, visibility, uniqueness, and yeah, sometimes luck. But platforms like Vogue Open Casting have made it more democratic than it has ever been. You still need to bring something original, something honest, and something unforgettable, but now, at least, you do not need to know someone at Condé Nast to be seen.

Maybe you are not ready yet. Maybe next year you will be. Or maybe, you already are, and all that is left is to submit.

And if you are ready? Comment down below! We want to listen more!
Visit Buzzing Chat to connect with other dreamers, swap casting tips, and stay updated on all things cover of Vogue.