>> INSIDER WIRE —Some are surprised that Fabien Baron is being welcomed back at Interview, given the magazine's financial state and that Baron was originally let go because he was going over budget. Apparently, fashion director Joe McKenna — who is expected to leave — cancelled a recent shoot on grounds of nonpayment, creative directors Michael Amzalag and Mathias Augustyniak of M/M Paris quit because they are owed three months pay plus expenses, and a number of retouchers and photographers are owed, including Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, who have not been paid for their August 2009 cover story. [FWD]
>> INSIDER WIRE —Fabien Baron may be back at Interview, but it sounds like creative directors Michael Amzalag and Mathias Augustyniak of M/M Paris and fashion director Joe McKenna, who both came on after Baron left the magazine in January, are on their way out. Karl Templer, who served as creative director under Baron the first time, is expected back imminently — official announcements are expected within a week. [FWD]
>> INSIDER WIRE —As rumored, Fabien Baron is coming back into the Interview fold as editorial director, replacing former co-editorial director Glenn O'Brien. Baron was originally fired in January and took creative director Karl Templer with him. After he left, the logo revamp he did was replaced and Mathias Augustyniak and Michael Amzalag of M/M Paris were brought in as creative directors. Baron is said to be talking to top talent about coming back with him — M/M Paris do not appear to be currently working on the August 2009 issue and are expected to leave the magazine — will he revert the logo as well? [WWD, FWD]
>> BLOWING THE COVER —M/M Paris's revamp of Interview, complete with new handwritten logo (influenced by the one used in the '70s) and new layout (which supposedly includes less model-heavy fashion editorial), debuts with the April 2009 issue featuring Zac Efron. There seems to be no hard feelings between Fabien Baron and one half of M/M Paris, Michael Amzalag, but the graphic design duo, together with newly-named fashion director Joe McKenna (who replaces Karl Templer) have their work cut out for them: ad pages dropped 27 percent in 2008, and another 38 percent in the first quarter of 2009. [WWD]
>> INSIDER WIRE —Despite Interview going under a full revamp from Fabien Baron's design for its May 2009 issue under the care of new creative directors M/M Paris, all seems amicable between the two — Purple's Olivier Zahm snapped Baron wishing half of M/M Paris, Michael Amzalag, luck backstage at Prada. [Purple Diary]
>> INSIDER WIRE —While her old POP stomping ground seems to be having trouble fitting in these days, Katie Grand's Love is doing more than fine: the magazine is sold out, the fastest-selling debut issue of all time [presumably for Conde Nast UK], with reprints on the way. As for the other magazine in transition, Interview, expect big change with new creative directors Mathias Augustyniak and Michael Amzalag, aka M/M Paris. The retro logo is being readopted, fashion editorial won't be as model-heavy, and a full redesign is in order; the first peek will come with the May 2009 issue. [LOVE blog, FWD]
*image: source