VMAN-ifesto: A Lookback At Some of VMAN's Ultimate Muses
Since our premiere issue in 2003, VMAN has always sought out to capture a new type of masculinity. Nearly twenty years later, that mission has been accomplished. Now, with issue fifty (and counting), this is only the beginning for us. Here, the editors of VMAN tip their hats to the many moments that have defined our publication.
Since our premiere issue in 2003, VMAN has always sought out to capture a new type of masculinity. Nearly twenty years later, that mission has been accomplished. Now, with issue fifty (and counting), this is only the beginning for us. Here, the editors of VMAN tip their hats to the many moments that have defined our publication.
Text: Kevin Ponce
A little nostalgia never hurt anyone.
Completing one issue is no easy feat–now imagine doing it fifty times over the last twenty years. Throughout these past decades, VMAN has always been on the pulse of the ever-changing landscape of manhood. With the evolution of fashion, music, cinema, art, and culture in recent times, we have bore witness to many great men who have dominated their respective industries, becoming champions in their own right. But as the notions of masculinity grew, so did VMAN. Our fiftieth issue couldn’t be complete without a look back at some of the pivotal moments in our history that helped capture the evolution of men’s fashion in the world of pop culture and the many men who have graced our pages. Every cover, every feature, every look–we have always kept you, our long-standing audience, in mind–and for that we thank you.
Below, discover a medley of some of our brightest and boldest moments from the last twenty years!
Austin Butler for VMAN 49 (Photographed by Collier Schorr)
The actors that succeed the most are the ones that have the ability to totally abandon themselves for a role, similar to Austin’s incredible performance in Elvis. With the help of Baz Luhrmann, he gave himself into that world entirely, and we were nothing but thrilled to capture this supernova of a being.
Alexander Skargård for VMAN 18 (Photographed by Inez & Vinoodh)
This was the first of many tuxedo covers–it really was so chic. It paved the way for what VMAN does now—a refined, sophisticated image of a cool guy in today’s world.
Ashton Kutcher for VMAN 10 (Photographed by Mario Testino)
A cover shoot so conceptual that it would be only be fitting that one of pop culture’s ultimate heartthrobs should play the role of a dapper cyborg. It was Mario Testino’s idea to make Ashton a “bionic man”, and at the height of his career, it could not have been better.
Orlando Bloom for VMAN 8 (Photographed by David Sims)
I guess one could say Orlando Bloom was the first of many shock-worthy cover stories within our publication’s history. I mean, who else could put one of Hollywood’s most in-demand actors on a cover while smoking some weed?
Jake Gyllenhaal for VMAN 30 (Photographed by Hedi Slimane)
Jake is the ultimate Hollywood staple, so putting him together with the underground vibe of Hedi Slimane for his cover was our goal. He is very classic, and the images turned him from a mainstream actor to a certified Rock and Roller.
Timothée Chalamet for VMAN 39 (Photographed by Collier Schorr)
Aside from the excitingly favorable response to Timothée’s cover, it certainly marked the beginning of a new era for VMAN. He proved that you don’t have to be a “hunk” to be a hero. The cover put VMAN on a new radar for many and ushered in a younger generation of readers.