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New York, February 17–24, Spring Fashion

"In a stunning cover for New York’s “Spring Fashion” issue, Erik Madigan Heck created a wall-to-wall effect with the red and white floral pattern on Lupita Nyong’o’s Stella McCartney dress and a coordinated background. Nyong’o is no wallflower, seeming to pop right out of this inventive and stylish cover."

The portrait of Lupita Nyong'o uses bright, warm colors and makes good use of the principle of emphasis. Lupita's expression is clear and engaging. The colors, pattern and pose make her stand out from the background in the way the cover intends. The cover lines overlap her portrait, but the smaller ones are a little bit of an eye strain. The pattern is intended to simultaneously blend her into the background and make her pop out, giving depth to the portrait. Lupita is looking into the light slightly off camera, so the picture doesn't seem cluttered even with the floral pattern.