Live Through This (1994) — Hole

Photographed by Ellen von Unwerth, Hole’s sophomore album Live Through This depicts model Leilani Bishop recreating the iconic prom night scene in the movie adaptation of Carrie. In this case, Bishop (instead of Carrie) wins the title of prom queen, garnering a shiny crown and flowers as she smiles in excitement. But in what would be a happy moment are Bishop’s smudged mascara and tears — a woman in distress while at her happiest. Released in 1994, only seven days after the death of punk-rock icon Kurt Cobain, Courtney Love’s (Hole’s frontwoman and lead singer) husband, Live Through This’ commercial success was clouded by judgment of Love’s relationship with Cobain and accusations of driving him to his point of suicide. What was meant to be Hole’s breakthrough album — an in-depth criticism of society’s sexualization and scrutiny of women — received acclaim but at the cost of Love’s mental and emotional health. A liberating musical moment for the band with underlying tragedy for Love. A woman who received her crown but knows it doesn’t make up for what she’s been through.

The design of the album cover, how it features a woman front and center in a highly feminine atmosphere, challenges the identity of punk-rock as a genre. In a predominantly masculine arena, Hole, with its female lead, stands unapologetic in its commentary on the female experience, and maintains this through Live Through This’s album cover, which solely features a woman winning a competition centered on looks and image while still reeling from the basic standpoint of being a woman.