>> The wait is over.  The May 2009 issue of Vogue, wholly dedicated to models in anticipation of this year's Model as Muse Costume Insitute Gala next month has debuted, and Liya Kebede, Natalia Vodianova, Anna Maria Jagodzinska, Isabeli Fontana, Lara Stone, Jourdan Dunn, Raquel Zimmermann, Caroline Trentini,and Natasha Poly all made the final cut, wearing what appears to be Rodarte.  This cover, shot by Steven Meisel, is notable not only because of its subjects, but because it marks the third consecutive cover to feature a woman of color on the front.  

Inside, Natalia Vodianova, who has been called "the Baby" by Steven Meisel and makeup artist Pat McGrath since they starting working with her, collaborated with them again on a tribute editorial to models past, from Twiggy to Dovima, similar to the one Gisele Bundchen did for Harper's Bazaar last month.  The key to Natalia's chameleon act?  "I looked at each woman's lips — they're all different."
*image: source, source, source