I ACTUALLY LIKE ALEXA

..on the October cover of Harper's Bazaar.

She features as BOTH the UK and Australian cover girl this month, and I'm seriously loving these pics so much more than I expected to:

UK

Oz

I always think she photographs really samey and bland and I'm usually just NOT into her look (trying too hard to look like you haven't tried at all much?) BUT I have to admit she's gorgeous here! The decison to go for a darker crop has been the best move ever!

The only niggling thing is that the Australian cover seems really summery - I reckon this shot could be a June or July cover as it's making me think of hot sweaty days in the park rather than the onslaught of Autumn. The cool 60s vibe of the UK cover seems far more season-appropriate, no? ***

But whatever, they are both stunning. Bravo Chungy, I'm a convert. FOR NOW...

***Oh my GOD I've just realised what an eejit I am! Obviously in Australia October IS summer! Gahhhd, pretty sure that's the definition of an epic fail. Anyhoos, with that in mind, this is a perfect high-summer cover. SMASHED IT.

VOGUE UK JUNE COVER

Alexa Chung covers next month's Vogue UK:

..I'm underwhelmed.

I hate to admit it, since I'm bound to get a lynching from her vast army of followers, but I'm not usually Alexa's biggest fan anyway, and this lacklustre cover just seals the deal. One. Trick. Pony.

Firstly, I DO like the Erdem dress, pendant and darker hair on Alexa - it's a grown up, classy look and frankly I'm just happy to see her out of her old battered brouges and tatty blazer combo which is normally her scruffy uniform. It's a very "English Rose" style and I've always felt she looks far better when channeling a feminine aesthetic like this...

But yet again it's the same gamine, coquettish look we've all seen ten million times before. I REALLY dislike her expression in this shot - she looks like she seriously can't be arsed, and the crossed arms add to that almost petulant attitude. Her cheekbone and collarbones seem really defined too - perhaps too much retouching? It reminds me of Lady Gaga in Born This Way. Plus, that weird sort of half-smirk?

Hate to hate but... Nah. I just don't dig it. Am I chatting mince? Tell me!