>> Could Elle Be Joining the Conde Nast Portfolio? —Some are speculating that Conde Nast's across-the-board 25 percent cutbacks are not just for the sake of downsizing budgets, but also to prepare for a bigger move.  In his company-wide memo sent out Monday, CEO Chuck Townsend stated: "The [McKinsey] review has led us to a number of decisions designed to navigate the company through the economic downturn and to position us to take advantage of coming opportunities."  Rumors abounded earlier this year that Elle was on the block, with Bazaar publisher Hearst interested, but now "industry insiders are buzzing about Conde Nast possibly acquiring Elle in its quest to fill their lineup with broader offerings," reports Fashion Week Daily. [FWD]

>> Victoria Beckham For October Elle, Not Vogue; Michelle Obama to Be on Vogue Cover Again? — Though rumors placed Victoria Beckham on the October issue of Vogue, she's said to be fronting the October issue of Elle instead.  And Michelle Obama, whose March 2009 cover of Vogue sold 560,000 newsstand copies (by comparison, Vogue's September 2008 issue sold 559,000 copies) may be back soon for another cover.  This month's i-D hints: "In New York, the staff of American Vogue put finishing touches on an unprecedented second cover featuring a sitting First Lady who is black and beautiful." [The Cut, TFS]

>> Kanye West Styles for October 2009 Elle —Avid fashion show attendee Kanye West continues to dip his hands into the industry: first it was designing Louis Vuitton kicks, which promptly sold out, then an internship at Gap — which prompted rumors of a line in the works with the retailer — and now, he's styled a shoot for Elle's October 2009 Personal Style issue, creative director Joe Zee confirmed. [FWD]

>> New York Post Maintains Hearst Is In Talks to Take Over Elle —Despite the fact that Elle owner Lagardere released a statement denying the New York Post's report earlier this week that Lagardere was exploring a deal with Harper's Bazaar publisher Hearst to take over the US operations of Elle, the New York Post responded today, stating that it "stands by its story." [NY Post]

>> Rumors are flying after the New York Post reported via an anonymous source this morning that Hachette Filipacchi owner Lagardere is in talks with Harper's Bazaar publisher Hearst about taking over the US operations of Elle. The source stated that if a deal went through, a joint venture or long-term licensing agreement would be made, similar to the deal Lagardere and Hearst have made for Marie Claire, and would only apply to the American version of Elle.

The Post estimates that Elle is valued around $200 million, whereas Hearst's profits hovered around $225 million last year and are expected to fall lower this year.

So far, they're denying it »

>> The expected thirty percent decrease was optimistic for some fashion magazines, it turns out, particularly those in Conde Nast's fold.  Yesterday, Conde CEO Charles Townsend sent out a memo acknowledging the hire of consulting firm McKinsey & Co. to analyze its business strategy — and no wonder: with the loss of the ad-filled September Fashion Rocks supplement, Vogue fell to 427 ad pages in September, down 36 percent from last year; Teen Vogue tumbled to 136 pages, down 31 percent; and W may be in serious trouble — it lost the most ad pages out of any Conde magazine, down 53 percent to 185 ad pages. 

For comparison's sake, Elle will carry 21 fewer pages in September at 327 total, and Harper's Bazaar is estimated to run between 275 and 285 pages, or about 25 percent fewer pages.  It is worth noting that Vogue still tops in total number of ad pages.

>> Did Kate Lanphear Influence Rihanna's New Haircut? —The Internet is in a tizzy after Rihanna debuted a new 'do involving a partially shaved head, but was she, given how fashion-savvy she is, inspired by Elle style director Kate Lanphear's look?  Elle's creative director Joe Zee thinks so: "Rihanna shaves part of her head but our own Kate Lanphear has been sporting that same cut for months now." [Interview, Joe Zee Twitter]

>> As is to be expected, this year's September issues are not going to be the behemoths of yesteryear: publishers are approaching their closing deadlines this week and said that they expect issues to be about a third lighter than years past.  

The September issues are still anticipated to be the Fall's largest, as most advertisers withdrew their pre-collection ads that run in August to focus on September and will run fewer ads, if any, in the remaining months.  As for the cover faces, magazines are sticking with safe bets — blonde white women. Vogue will feature Charlize Theron, who usually graces their October covers (in 2004 and 2007); W will, as reported, have Kate Moss photographed by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott; Elle will boast perenially newstand-friendly Jennifer Aniston; Allure went with Amanda Seyfriend, Glamour with Jessica Simpson, and Marie Claire with Ashley Olsen.  

No word on Harper's Bazaar, POP, V, LOVE, or Vogue Italia, but Vogue Paris is said to be breaking the blonde mold by dying a usually flaxen-haired model's coif black in a "radical model makeover" — some suspect the "luscious" beauty in question may be Lara Stone.

>> Erin Wasson Styles for Elle Again; Karl Templer to Style Alexander Wang Spring 2010? —Alexander Wang moved on from Erin Wasson's styling a couple of seasons ago, going with Alastair McKimm instead.  A smattering of seasons later amid rumors that Wang is going with a heavyweight name for his Spring 2010 show, Calvin Klein stylist Karl Templer has emerged as the likely candidate. As for Erin, she just clocked hours in the studio styling her second editorial for Elle. [WWD, Joe Zee Twitter]