Grazia UK – Issue 872 – 8 January 2024

Summary

Kate Moss turns 50 and Grazia UK Issue 872 (8 January 2024, GBP 3.25) puts the OG supermodel on the cover with Polly Vernon's career retrospective spanning the CK campaigns, the noughties party era, and the wellness-brand pivot that keeps her relevant at five decades.

Vernon's cover story at page 34 revisits the moments that made Moss a cultural force. Angelina Jolie's bombshell decision to leave Hollywood opens the news section, while Jameela Jamil on page 42 delivers a sharp critique of fitness culture: her quote — "No pain, no gain is a horrible, outdated, stupid slogan" — sets the tone for the issue's self-improvement theme. The "17 Ways to Change Your Life" cover line delivers micro-habits rather than radical overhauls, and the "How to Look Less Tired" beauty special at page 72 offers practical fixes for the January slump.

Fashion pages include "Get Your (Roller) Skates On" (page 51), a wardrobe workshop titled "Start as You Mean to Go On" (page 52), and a loungewear feature "Up Your CQ (Cosy Quotient)" (page 60). The "Dreamy Escapes" travel section and Paul Flynn's TV column round out the back-of-book content.

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Content Guide

▸ Cover Story

p.34 · Kate Moss, Queen of Cool — Polly Vernon
Vernon tracks the supermodel's journey from the early Calvin Klein campaigns to her current beauty and wellness ventures at 50. The piece argues Moss's influence endures because she never chased the spotlight — she let it find her. If you are in fashion or branding, study the career arc: each reinvention was a retreat, not a rebrand.

▸ News / Features

p.· Angelina Jolie — Why She Is Quitting Hollywood
The news lead reports Jolie's decision to step away from acting, citing the toll of divorce litigation and industry pressure. The piece reframes her exit as a response to a system she no longer trusts. For anyone in the entertainment business, Jolie's departure signals which conditions talent is no longer willing to accept.

p.42 · Jameela Jamil — "No Pain, No Gain Is Horrible"
Jamil discusses progress vs perfection, body image, and the fitness industry's toxic messaging. Editor Hattie Brett's welcome flags this interview as the issue's most quotable piece. If you coach fitness or write about wellness, Jamil's reframing of "progress not perfection" gives you a ready alternative to the hustle narrative.

p.· The Rental Health Trap
An investigation into the hidden health risks of rental properties — mould, poor ventilation, and landlord negligence. The piece includes advice on what tenants can document to build a case. Check your rental agreement against the hazards listed here before your next inspection.

▸ Fashion

p.51 · Get Your (Roller) Skates On!
Roller-skate-inspired fashion has hit the high street. The shoot mixes retro silhouettes with contemporary styling. The feature lists brands that carry the look at accessible price points. Add a pair of platform skates to your mood board if you are buying for an autumn/winter campaign.

p.52 · Start as You Mean to Go On — Wardrobe Workshop
A structured guide to building a capsule wardrobe for the new year. Each category — outwear, knitwear, trousers, footwear — gets a buy-it-once recommendation. Use the three-piece formula to audit your closet before you shop spring collections.

p.60 · Up Your CQ (Cosy Quotient)
Loungewear designed to be worn outside the house. The edit covers knit sets, oversized coats, and shearling accessories. The layering formula shown here — three pieces, neutral palette — works for travel days and remote-work video calls alike.

▸ Beauty

p.72 · How to Look Less Tired — Fake It Till You Make It
Grazia's beauty team provides a step-by-step routine for disguising fatigue: colour corrector placement, concealer layering, and strategic highlighter. The product list includes drugstore alternatives for each premium pick. Follow the concealer map — the triangle under each eye, not the half-moon — and see the difference in two minutes.

p.70 · The Scent-Sational Soothers
A curated edit of fragrances positioned as mood boosters for the January blues. Notes, projection, and longevity are rated for each bottle designed for cozy winter evenings that lift without overwhelming.

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Editor's Take

Polly Vernon's Moss essay is the clear highlight — she treats the subject with affection without slipping into hagiography. Jameela Jamil's interview delivers the issue's sharpest quotes. Weakness: the "17 Ways to Change Your Life" list and the "How to Look Less Tired" feature recycle advice that regular readers will have seen in previous January issues. The rental health trap piece is well-timed but under-reported. Best for women in their 30s and 40s who follow fashion, celebrity, and self-improvement culture; too lifestyle-focused for readers who want hard news.

Strengths
• Polly Vernon's Kate Moss career retrospective with specific campaign and era markers
• Jameela Jamil's "progress not perfection" reframing of fitness goals
• GBP 3.25 cover price — fair value for a weekly with this much original content

Weaknesses
• "17 Ways" and "Look Less Tired" are January reruns of previous issue themes
• Rental health investigation needed more reporting depth and named sources

Verdict: Recommended — Buy for the Moss essay and Jamil interview; skip if you own last January's issue with similar self-improvement lists.