Cover Stories

Written by Christine Riccelli

Over the past 10 years, dsm covers have consistently generated more reaction than any other part of the magazine. Our readers let us know when they love a particular cover—and when they don’t. We don’t follow any rules in choosing a cover image, other than we want it to be visually arresting—and never, ever boring. The subjects we choose can be almost anything; through the years, we’ve featured women, men, children, animals, paintings, sculptures and plants, as well as objects ranging from pots and pans to gemstones. Whatever the image, we strive for the cover to reflect dsm’s—and the city’s—style and substance. We’re excited to share with you our top 10 covers from the past decade. What’s your favorite? Let us know in the comments section below.

1. The Men’s Book 2009
Photographer: Duane Tinkey

In the publishing business, there’s a saying that if you like a concept you see elsewhere, then you should feel free to “ROAD”—“rip off and duplicate”—it. That’s exactly what we did, shamelessly, for this cover. The image pays homage to Esquire, which in 1965 ran a now-iconic cover photo of Italian actress Virna Lisi appearing to shave her face (the magazine re-created the cover in 2008 with Jessica Simpson). We loved the original so much that we felt compelled to create our own version, and Des Moines model Savannah Wadsworth pulled it off with cheeky charm.

2. The Men’s Book 2012
Photographer: Kathryn Gamble

When we first saw this whimsical photo of Des Moines model James Sanigular, we couldn’t stop smiling. We’re still smiling. To prepare for the shoot,
Des Moines photographer Kathryn Gamble and stylist Lindsay Berger tested six different types of bubblegum to discover the right color. “We chewed so much gum, my jaw hurt,” Gamble recalls. Capturing the perfect bubble “did take a few tries, but James was an excellent bubble blower.”

3. February/March/April 2009
Photographer: Duane Tinkey

At dsm, we love dogs, unreservedly and unconditionally. So it’s not surprising that we’ve featured dogs—as well as cats, a horse and an orangutan—on our covers over the years. This one, however, ranks as our favorite. In this image of Zeke, a Weimaraner who was adopted from the Animal Recue League of Iowa (ARL), dsm photo director Duane Tinkey captured the dog’s thoughtful dignity and soulful beauty (those eyes!). Although photographing animals is challenging, this shoot “was one I really enjoyed, especially since it was the ARL,” Tinkey says. “Being a dog owner myself, I felt it was an opportunity to help an animal find a home.”

4. August/September/October 2012
Photographer: Bruce Wagner

With dramatic simplicity, this image from Ballet Des Moines is as elegant as ballet itself. The crisp lines and the dancer’s unexpected pose (can anyone really be that flexible?) captivated us and made this the unanimous choice for the cover.

5. August/September/October 2011
Photographer: Ben Easter

For a story that appeared in this issue, we asked our contributing photographers to compose self-portraits. When we saw Des Moines photographer Ben Easter’s result (those eyes!), we knew it would land on the cover. And then dsm design director Annabel Wimer decided to replace all the color with magenta, upping the dazzle factor and making the cover even more surprising.

6. November/December/January 2011-2012
Photographer: Joe Crimmings

Model Jolene Hull exudes ageless beauty and sophistication in this portrait by Des Moines photographer Joe Crimmings. And it happened almost by accident. During a holiday fashion shoot at Americana Restaurant and Lounge, dsm style director Jessica Miller “was heading for a bathroom break and spotted the red wall,” she recalls. “Jolene happened to have the perfect dress on for that wall. I called Joe over and said, ‘This will be our cover shot.’ The end.”

7. February/March/April 2011
Photographer: Anna Jones

In this delightful nod to Valentine’s Day, Des Moines model Bridgette Braswell manages to be both sweet and sexy—effortlessly. The heart pillow and her hair and eyes convey a playfulness that we found irresistibly fetching.

8. February/March/April 2013
Photographer: Duane Tinkey

After Omaha artist Jun Kaneko’s five ceramic “dangos” were installed along the Principal Riverwalk last fall, dsm design director Annabel Wimer had an idea: provide our readers with a more unconventional, and intimate, view of the pieces by zeroing in on a portion of one of them. The result? An intriguing perspective that showcases the work’s texture and graphic artistry.

9. May/June/July 2012
Artist: Cornelius Ruhtenberg

This painting, an acrylic on linen work by the late acclaimed and influential Des Moines artist Cornelius Ruhtenberg (1923-2008), conjures images of long, lazy summer days in Iowa. It made us want to jump into the boat with the figure and enter that world. We also loved how the work’s blue and green tones combine to evoke an inviting sense of serenity.

10. February/March/April 2012
Artist: Bill Luchsinger

When we first saw this work, a digital image on canvas, at a Moberg Gallery exhibit, we immediately knew it would make a dynamic cover. Well-known Des Moines artist Bill Luchsinger depicts a skyline icon—the Travelers umbrella—and 801 Grand in a bold and fresh way. Perhaps more than any other cover, this one reflects what we try to achieve in every issue of dsm: showcase the city in ways that consistently surprise and delight.