>> Good news: that July 2008 Vogue Italia? It's still resounding — and not just on the covers of other magazines. Today, one of the Vogue Italia stars, Tyra Banks, taped an episode of The Tyra Banks Show on West 26th Street in New York celebrating black models of the past and present in honor of the Vogue Italia "Black Issue." Joining her and voicing first-hand accounts of their industry experience were Chanel Iman, Beverly Johnson, Noemie Lenoir, and Pat Cleveland. I'm not usually a big fan of the show, but this episode — which airs Sept. 11 — I will have to watch. *image: source, source, source
>> THE ZEITGEIST —The original run of the July 2008 Vogue Italiasold out in the US and the UK within 72 hours of hitting stands, followed up by reprinting of 30,000 copies for the US, 10,000 for the UK, and 20,000 for Italy. By sheer numbers, the issue was a runaway success, with no question that black women can sell magazines. In the aftermath, the lasting impact of the issue is starting to be called into question, especially with the follow-up August 2008 Vogue Italia featuring all white models on the cover. [Jezebel, Time]
>> Although it's too soon to tell what kind of lasting impact the all-black issue of Vogue Italia might have, preliminary indications that it had an effect are there.
Just this morning, Fashionista reported that Lancome signed VI model Arlenis Sosa Pena as their new face. If true, she joins Daria Werbowy in what is sure to be a lucrative, high-profile position for the company — outstanding for a newcomer like Arlenis.
More big news this morning for the July VI flock: Topshop announced VI cover girl Jourdan Dunn, along with Karlie Kloss, Kori Richardson, and Amanda Laine, as their Fall 2008 campaign girls — another sure-to-be-well-paying, high-profile campaign (images below).
Finally, The Imagist recently reported that advertising clients are already asking casting agents to be more "inclusive" for their future ad campaigns, as a result of all the attention Vogue Italia has gotten. The industry appears to be moving in the right direction, but only time will tell. Now, how about some more attention for girls like Lakshmi Menon and Daul Kim?
>> Yasmin Warsame has come full circle. Her first big break in came in 2002, when Steven Meisel shot her for an editorial inVogue Italia. Here she is, six years later, shot for the historic all-black July 2008 issue of Vogue Italia, by Steven Meisel once again. (NSFW) *image: source
>> Time for July 2008 Vogue Italia editorial roll call. Cover shots? Check. Naomi Campbell in all her glory? Check. Sessilee Lopez's black-and-white sizzler? Check. The multi-girl extravaganza? Check.
It's the beginning of the end folks — all that's left is the set featuring Toccara Jones, Yasmin's elegant grouping, and the beauty editorial with Chanel Iman channeling Grace Jones. Oh wait, we've already got the latter — Chanel edgier than ever before, shot by Dusan Reljin. *image: source
>> This morning, the July 2008Vogue Italia hit stands, and we've got the scans to prove it. The magazine features an 11-page spread, "Elegance as a Form," with Yasmin Warsame and devotes 9 pages to America's Next Top Model alum Toccara Jones in addition to the two editorials we've already seen: Naomi Campbell's 9-page luxe spread and the 25-page ode to new girl Sessilee Lopez.
But I saved the best for last: "Modern Luxe" by Steven Meisel, spanning 15 pages, and featuring everyone from Noemie Lenoir to Kiara Kabukuru to Jourdan Dunn.
>> IN THE LOOKING GLASS—For those of you who are gobbling up every new image from the July 2008 Vogue Italia until the full issue appears, this video contains a few until-now unseen shots, including some of Chanel Iman, Sessilee Lopez, and Iman.
>> Just asThe Wall Street Journal promised, a couple of editorials from the July 2008 Vogue Italia appeared today, featuring two out of the four cover models. Both sets were shot by VI perennial favorite Steven Meisel.
"There's only one Naomi" features Naomi Campbell in a luxe setting — pretty normal fashion editorial fare, nothing outstanding except a shot of her crawling on a pool table — full gallery (NSFW) below. Sessilee Lopez'sset is in all black-and-white, very Yves Saint Laurent-inspired; In fact, one shot of her in head wrap, teeth bared, reminds me of YSL favorite Waris Dirie.
>> THE MODELIZER—We've seen her cover shot, and now the first editorial image of Jourdan Dunn from the July 2008 Vogue Italia issue has appeared. Plan your newsstand trip now: The issue is officially out tomorrow. [Telegraph UK]
fashionologie is the musings of a twenty-something American girl who wishes she could have a Freaky Friday incident and switch bodies with Carine Roitfeld.
