>> New York Fashion Week is less than a week away, and the tidbits are flowing freely — a compilation of the highlights from the past couple of days:

Double (or Triple) Duty Presentations

• Gareth Pugh confirmed that he will be showing a video directed by Ruth Hogben on Sept. 13 to "set the mood for [his] catwalk show that will take place as usual in Paris." After the private showing, he'll screen the short film in public nearby — get your name on the guest list via MAC's Facebook page. [Style File]
• Temperley London is taking their interactive Spring 2010 multimedia presentation on the road for the second time, starting in New York Sept. 15 before evolving in format for London Fashion Week and then again in Paris, where it will become an exhibit.  The film aspect, plus stills and a behind-the-scenes cut will be readily available online on Temperley's new website.

First look at Yoko Ono for threeASFOUR, and Karl Lagerfeld's attendance status answered »

>> Naomi Campbell, long a crusader for models of color — who also happens to be verging on her 25-year anniversary in the industry — is still frustrated with ad casting, she tells the Telegraph UK: "This year, we have gone back all the way that we had advanced. I don't see any black woman, or of any other race, in big advertising campaigns."

In the upcoming issue of POP, she expresses a similar feeling: "The black issue of Italian Vogue was great but I feel it was great for just a moment. It didn't work. You still don't see black models, ethnic models, and models from different cultures in advertising very much." She continues in the Telegraph UK: "That [Vogue Italia issue] made some noise, but, unfortunately, we are the same as before. People, in the panic of the recession, don't dare to put a girl of color in their campaign, full stop. Nor of any other race. It's a shame. It's very sad."

What could help? »

>> The first issue of POP under Dasha Zhukova's guiding hand hits newsstands tomorrow at $8, with two international newsstand covers, each with a 50/50 split run, of Style Rookie's Tavi, plus a 500-copy limited-edition hardback cover by Ed Ruscha (below, left), and a limited subscriber's cover of Cicciolina for the Baltic States (below, right).

“The new Pop launches at an exciting turning point in fashion, where the possibilities and potential for creativity are almost overwhelming,” Zhukova told WWD. “The new era is more fluid than ever before; one where teenage girls in Chicago, fashion editors in Paris, street photographers from Berlin and bloggers everywhere . . . redefine the fashion landscape.”

Fake Karl, Jen Brill, and Mark Borthwick are all involved »

>> Dasha Zhukova's First POP Issue Has Four Covers —The POP cover that appeared a couple of weeks ago, featuring 13-year-old Style Rookie fashion blogger Tavi done up by Damien Hirst, turns out to be the first of four editions.  Hirst did five different logo treatments for Dasha Zhukova's first issue since taking over at POP; the second cover features Tavi again against a butterfly background, with a glitter and polka-dotted POP logo.  The Moment reports there are "Two split runs of the 13yo blogger Tavi: one by Ed Ruscha; and Cicciolina (for the Baltic states)." [The POP, The Moment Twitter]

>> Dasha Zhukova's appointment as editor of POP in February came as a surprise to many; it also came with a bit of drama, partly because she was taking over a magazine so aligned with Katie Grand's name, and partly because, to many, she didn't have much editorial experience.  As the reveal date for the first issue under her helm approaches — Sept. 1 — Dasha, who is rumored to have recently parted with beau Roman Abramovich, sets the record straight in the August 2009 issue of Interview. In fact, she says, "I feel like anything I’ve ever done, I’ve been strongly advised not to do."

She's not trying to ride in on Katie Grand's coattails.

I respect Katie Grand, and I hope I can retain some respect for the brand. But I have other plans for the magazine now. And, come on, it’s not like this is the first time there’s been a new editor at a magazine.

Actually, she was opposed to taking the job at first.

My initial reaction was, “No way. I don’t want this.”

But "it would be stupid not to at least entertain the idea" »

>> POP magazine's official relaunch with Dasha Zhukova at the helm doesn't happen until September, but they just launched a new website, ThePOP.com, that offers a few clues about what's to come.  Last time we checked, the new team was planning on keeping the logo the same, but up on the site's holding page is a new rendition by former i-D art director Scott King.

Also posted is a "manifesto" for the magazine, which details that the new website "will provide a fascinating insight into the creation of each issue but, more importantly, it will reflect the POP team's creative outlook and ongoing projects. . . . [It] will be both an online content platform for the magazine, as well as a mixed media carrier and blogging network for POP’s chosen contributors, guests and partners."

This is already a change for the magazine — the last era, under Katie Grand, had very little online presence.  The manifesto lists that the website will be launched in early Summer, and POP's editorial director Ashley Heath confirmed by email that it "will be far more fully fleshed out in the next few weeks" — in the meantime, they're taking emails for newsletter updates.

As for the logo . . . »

>> Even though POP magazine doesn't officially relaunch until September, it's a hot topic these days, especially with the supposed drama of Dasha Zhukova's appointment as the new editor-in-chief and Daphne Guinness's worry over being announced as part of the editorial board.  Today, Daphne blogged on the matter, calling the reports "so FUNNY . . . . It was flattering but not true I am afraid.  A complete misunderstanding!"

We caught up with POP's editorial director Ashley Heath this morning — he confirms that Daphne has asked not to be on the editorial board, and is instead "working on a very interesting and exciting special project for us."  Also on the plate for discussion — POP's logo: to change or not to change, first cover clues, and when the freelance fashion and creative teams will be announced.

What do you think about the reception Dasha's appointment is receiving in Milan?

"The reception from the fashion industry towards Dasha has been universally positive. As soon as she talks to anyone the fact that she is extremely intelligent, cultured, driven and positive becomes obvious. Dasha has a very strong sense of style and a strong point of view on the modern world and on magazines. She is incredible in every meeting. The advertisers are thrilled about her appointment, but then they realise an intelligent international perspective is key now. But I've no idea how the rest of the magazine media responded to the announcement. Editors and journalists aren't exactly known for their universal goodwill are they? But the front row figures I care about all grabbed me and said, 'Wow, this is really interesting, this is actually an exciting prospect.'"

Daphne's "indicated that being a part of the editorial board is not a good idea" »

>> It's no surprise that Dasha Zhukova's recent appointment as POP editor-in-chief is making waves — she has no editorial experience and is seen by many as just the socialite girlfriend of a Russian billionaire.  Plus, there's that whole matter of her taking over from Katie Grand — apparently a number of other potential candidates were reluctant to head up a magazine so imbued with Grand's identity.

Dasha, who has been attending some shows in Milan, feels "like the elephant in the room."  And rightly so — Derek Blasberg reports that one British fashion journalist snidely commented to him, “I’m going to be the next queen of England,” while another joked that Kylie Minogue was in line to be the next editor of Vogue.  Apparently, Anna Dello Russo pinched Dasha's seat at Jil Sander, the same day that her new POP position was announced.

Even editorial board member Daphne Guinness is distancing herself »