Dakota Johnson Makes a Comeback as British ELLE Cover Girl for June 2025

British ELLE is a shadow of its former self. Under the current tutelage of Kenya Hunt, the magazine simply doesn’t command the attention it once did. Covers starring the likes of Emma Corrin, Kai-Isaiah Jamal, and Lady Gaga have ultimately been declared a total flop by members of theFashionSpot forums. Up next on the cover of British ELLE is Dakota Johnson. The last time to American actress fronted the British fashion title was in February 2022. Three years later, Johnson is welcomed back as cover star, posing for the photographer Tom Schirmacher. In the nonchalant, laid-back cover image, Dakota reclines on a chair gazing down Schimacher’s lens, and is dressed by stylist Heathermary Jackson in Gucci (obvi).

“I love Dakota Johnson and am happy to see her on a cover. It’s been a while,” approved Handbag Queen.

“This cover is giving me ‘summertime sadness’ vibes. Love the image, but not very summery,” noted justaguy.

Everyone else, however, was left completely underwhelmed. “Gloomy AF for a June cover. Honestly, British ELLE has to be one of the most dire fashion titles available right now. I’s just contributing nothing. I like a bit of chintz but that armchair looks grotesque. Not to mention the audacity the add the word summer to such a drab cover,” ranted vogue28.

“That chair is hideous. It looks so raggedy,” Squizree critiqued.

See more of Dakota Johnson from the British ELLE June 2025 cover shoot and join the conversation, here.