Rihanna covers the latest American Vogue
TFS

I haven't been this happy about the cover of American Vogue since Emma Stone was featured back in the July issue. And I am so glad that Rihanna is partly responsible for my joy. Her last American Vogue cover was so awkward and the Vogue UK one that followed wasn't much of an improvement, which is a shame because I think Ri-ri would be a stylist's dream as she is super chameleonic but her personality always comes through. And they've finally managed that in this shot by Annie Leibovitz.

The signer models a red-hot Valentino (cooked) lace dress from the Resort 2012 collection. It looks absolutely amazing with the matching lips, the smoky eyes and the short hairdo she's sporting these days of which I'm a great fan. But, mostly, I love the fact that this cover reminds me of a Vogue Nippon story featuring Daria Werbowy back in 2009. If Vogue can keep this sort of slicker and edgier feel on their upcoming covers I would totally start buying the magazine again.

June cover swimwear face-off: Vogue Deutsch vs. Vogue US
TFS

Yesterday American Vogue released their June cover and editorial centred around the London Olympics. Hope Solo, Ryan Lochte and Serena Williams shot by Annie Leibovitz jog on the beach for 'Team USA'. Vogue Germany also released their June cover featuring the beautiful CArolyn Murphy shot by Alexi Lubomirski.

I don't even know where to begin with the American Vogue cover... The picture is so gimmicky and unnatural i just can't deal. It's almost like the conservative version of a Men's Health cover. I just don't understand how it was so difficult to come up with a fun and clever concept for a sports issue, especially if you consider that so many of the new collections are so heavy with sportswear elements. The colours are also a bit dull (even the sea!) and the swimsuits (very Michael Kors) are super dated.

Vogue Deutsch, however, celebrates their love for summer, curves, fashion and stars with a stunning shot, great styling and amazing colours that really evoke the new season.

Michelle William's Marilyn covers: Vogue US vs. Vogue Germany

It's been a great last few months in terms of magazine covers for Michelle Williams. First it was the sweet Interview cover in May, then the American Vogue cover shot by Annie Leibovitz for the October issue and then the fun ELLE UK cover in the Prada dress. She is now at the front of the latest issue of Vogue Germany. It's fair to say that American Vogue is usually first in tapping celebrities to cover the magazine but they don't necessarily do it the best way. I loved their October front because it had a much more different feel that the previous ones of the year but I feel like the new Vogue Germany captures the essence of Michelle as Marilyn a lot better, no? I also really like the layout that reminds me a lot of the older Vogues. I guess that's how the real Marilyn would have covered Vogue too.
What do you think?

Meryl Streep covers the new American Vogue
Vogue.com

I can not tell you how happy I am to see Meryl Streep on the cover of the January issue of American Vogue! Meryl is, to me, the greatest living actress. Wether she plays Miranda Priestly in "The Devil Wears Prada", Sophie in "Sophie's choice"or Francesca in "The Bridges of Madison County" she always nails her roles and brings a character depth not many people are capable of. Her upcoming role of Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady" is the 'excuse' to grace the front of the American bible.

I love that there's less Mario Testino and more Annie Leibovitz covers, especially in this case. She is a great choice to shoot a woman who has become iconic for great work and natural beauty. In a world driven by photoshopped models and endless layers of make up it's so refreshing to see Meryl look so great and so 'raw' at her 62 years. I also love the location –a grey day at the beach–, which ties the cover to last month's Charlize Theron one, and the styling –there is such a Carolina Herrera vibe to this look.

Do you love it too?

Vogue.com

As usual, I am having mixed feelings about the latest Vogue cover. Charlize Theron, styled by Camilla Nickerson and shot by Annie Leibovitz covers the December issue with a marine theme not far from what Largerfeld did with Florence for his SS12 Chanel show.

 Charlize looks stunning on the cover. I love the fact that this feels a bit more relaxed and cheerful than what Anna usually does for the front picture. The hair and makeup are super natural, as is the pose and I love that she's actually in the water. My only problem with it is the dress, which I guess suits the theme but fails to make anything interesting for the cover.

The shoot inside, however, is simply beautiful. My favourite picture is the one of Theron in the McQueen dress standing on a rock with the waves breaking on it. It reminds me a lot of the famous 'The Birth of Venus' by Boticelli. I also really like the other two pictures of her in Marchesa and Salvatore Ferragamo. But I don't get the one of her in Christopher Kane swimming under water. It's just too artificial.

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Vogue US

I finally have an excuse to post my favourite picture from the Annie Leibovitz pictures of Michelle Williams from the October issue of American Vogue. The trailer for 'My week with Marylin', the film for which Michelle was portrayed as Marylin on the cover, is out today and I just can't wait to watch it!
I am a sucker for biopics and period movies so I am absolutely positive I will love this. I am also a huge fan of Michelle since the Dawson's Creek times but also of Eddie Redmayne, who plays her lover in the film. I am also excited to see Emma Watson's part in the film as I still haven't seen her act in anything out of the Harry Potter franchise.
Check out the trailer below. Who would have said shy Michelle would make such a brilliant Marylin. She's got that same sexy sparkle in her eyes!

Rihanna pulls an Ariel for Anna

For one reason or another the cover of American Vogue always seems to be a big deal. I have to admit I did find Lady Gaga on the cover to be quite a significant nod from Anna to the singer's status in the fashion world. But there was nothing unusual on the cover apart from the Haider Ackermann she was wear, a rather uncommercial choice for Vogue. However, it is the April issue that I am more fascinated about. Rihanna, wearing Pre-Fall11 Chanel and shot by the legend that is Annie Leibovitz, looks somewhere between awkward and beautiful flanked by two full columns of text, which I hate. Almost as much as the, if I may, pooping pose. The cover also screams Vanity Fair to me, which might just be because Leibovitz shot the cover, no?

I couldn't help myself. Ri-Ri looks so much like Ariel from the Little Mermaid it's unreal. Which, again, suits Leibovitz a lot as she is in charge of shooting those amazing Disney pictures for Vanity Fair every year. I also started to think how cool it would be if Rihanna did a new version of the film wearing lots of custom-made Chanel and singing "Only Girl (In the World)" to the Prince or "Shut up and drive" with Sebastian. It'd be an absolute hit.

I'm off.

[Pictures: TFS, Style.com]

a MESSED UP spread

Ever since I started adoring Vogue, there has always been a bigger crush I've had for the US version. There is something about it that I cannot explain and that is addictive. This is why when they mess up I feel majorly disappointed. Sadly, December's Holiday issue has caused that reaction.

If having Penélope Cruz surrounded by bullfighters was not awful enough, the shoot had to make the cover. I can not explain how upset I was when I found out, but having a printed copy of it in my very hands was simply too much. I can not possibly understand how Annie Leibovitz —one of my favourite photographers— enjoyed shooting this.

I "invite" you to take a look at the shoot. It is quite a shame that they didn't take advantage of the huge pontential Penélope's sister, Mónica, has. She is —along with the beautiful couture pieces and Leibovitz's art— the only worthy thing from the whole spread.

[Pictures credit: style.com]

I'm off.