Vogue

French Elle's April issue has hit stands, and it's the annual plus-size edition. We already know plus-size models probably don't make women, of any size, feel better about their bodies, but continuing to ghettoize them into one issue just makes size, well, an issue.

Of course, plus-size model is in itself a misnomer. America's top-earning plus-size model, Crystal Renn, is a size 12, one size smaller than the average American woman. If a so-called plus-size model can wear regular-size clothes then why not just integrate her into every magazine issue. Or if the jump from size 2 to 12 is too much, why not try size 6 or 8 models?

For all this whining, I don't oppose Vogue's rumored decision to not feature Gabby Sidibe. She's an actress and a personality who supersedes her weight. If Vogue's shtick is to showcase clothes, then by all means choose those who wear them best. It would be at the very least hypocritical of editor Anna Wintour after calling overweight people "little houses" last year.

Now put Gabby in Vogue's size issue, and I will take issue with that!

>> No Contract for Peter Lindbergh at Vogue —At the end of last week, it was announced that after 18 years at Harper's Bazaar, Peter Lindbergh would be returning to work for Vogue at Grace Coddington and Anna Wintour's request.  Apparently, it was Lindbergh's decision not to renew his contract with Bazaar, but he doesn't have a contract at Vogue, and a Vogue spokesman couldn't say when his work might appear in the magazine. [WWD]

>> On Monday night, Anna Wintour joined Michael Kors and Natalia Vodianova in Boston for a panel on model health, where she called on designers to reverse the “tyranny of [sample] clothes that just barely fit a 13-year-old on the edge of puberty.”

She went on to say that the preference for extreme thinness in the past decade has eroded models' clout, WWD reports:

Most work only when they have the uberslim physique of the very young, stop getting jobs when they fill out and hence don’t last long enough to develop public personalities, like the Nineties supermodels did. As a result, more magazine covers and lucrative beauty contracts have gone to singers and actresses, [Wintour] observed.

On a separate note, Wintour also said Vogue uses Photoshop to erase small imperfections, but not to make girls thinner than they are.

>> Stefano Tonchi seems to have emerged as the frontrunner for the W editor-in-chief position — one "highly placed source" at The New York Times confirmed to WWD that Tonchi had been speaking with Conde Nast, but had not made a decision regarding the W job as of Friday. Over at Conde Nast, several sources told WWD that Tonchi had already signed a deal, but the official word from a Conde spokeswoman is that a decision had not yet been made, although there “will be an announcement possibly early next [this] week.”

Meanwhile, over the weekend, Bryanboy noticed that Andre Leon Talley was moved from editor-at-large to contributing editor on the April 2010 Vogue masthead. The move could have to do with his new position as America's Next Top Model judge, and Fashionista noted that during New York Fashion Week, ALT kept a distance "from the rest of the Vogue team–we didn’t spot him with the rest of the editorial staff even once, and on the last day of the week he attended one Ralph Lauren show while the rest of the Vogue-ettes attended another . . . His pages, however, three on general goings on about town or it-girls of the moment, remain the same." Racked cites sources saying that Grace Coddington and Hamish Bowles, too, may be "experiencing changes" in upcoming months.

UPDATE: A Vogue spokesman notes of the change: "There’s no more to the story than a title change," adding, "That’s just because he wanted to do more freelance projects . . . He’ll be just as big a presence at Vogue." Talley's column and blog are expected to remain intact. [The Cut]

>> As promised, the Vogue April 2010 cover features a model — and Gisele Bundchen is the chosen face. Bundchen, who just launched a three product beauty line called Sejaa, tells the magazine her manufacturers "were ready to kill me. I wanted the cream to be organic — they explained that if it's organic, it's alive, and that means it can't survive for a long time." Now, the mud mask and creams are called "natural," and their preservative is coconut oil.

Bundchen's other big project for the year is raising her son, Benjamin Rein: "I wanted him to be called River because I wanted something always flowing, immortal. My husband [Tom Brady] said, 'There's no way we're going to call him River.' But my father's name is Reinoldo, so it's a homage to him. And it's like water."

Gisele's mother is staying in their Boston guest room to help out — "I don't trust anyone else with Benjamin" — and Gisele hasn't left the apartment in six weeks — "too cold." In fact, she's kept herself out of the public eye for months. "I felt like my pregnancy was a sacred moment for me. I stayed in Boston and I didn't work apart from the contracts I have, and then I only let them use my face."

As for her body . . . »

Gisele Bundchen is back from her modeling hiatus with a big appearance on the upcoming April cover of Vogue. The accompanying photo shoot also features the supermodel posing in her bikini, but the most exciting part is that she brought adorable and naked baby Benjamin along! Gisele opened up to the magazine about how she stayed in shape during her pregnancy, her new skincare line and discussed what it's like working again as a new mom. She said:

• On naming their son Benjamin Rein: “I wanted him to be called River because I wanted something always flowing, immortal. My husband said, ‘There’s no way we’re going to call him River.’ But my father’s name is Reinoldo, so it’s a homage to him. And it’s like water.”
• On staying in shape while pregnant: "I did kung fu up until two weeks before Benjamin was born, and yoga three days a week. I think a lot of people get pregnant and decide they can turn into garbage disposals. I was mindful about what I ate, and I gained only 30 pounds. I think it's muscle memory."
• On keeping out of the public eye: "I felt like my pregnancy was a sacred moment for me. I stayed in Boston and I didn’t work apart from the contracts I have, and then I only let them use my face."
• On her first time modeling post-birth: "I got to the studio and I felt like I was E.T.—whoa, what’s going on? Hair and makeup? I hadn’t looked at myself in a mirror for a month and a half… Usually, as I walk through the door into that atmosphere, I already feel different. There’s a button that goes On and I’m On. And when I go On, there is almost no me; there is just a character who is doing all this. This time it wasn’t like that… For the first time, I think I actually saw me—the inside—instead of the persona."

Gisele Bundchen lands her 11th cover for Amercian Vogue's April shape issue.

Richemont is in bids to acquire Net-a-Porter. The Swiss group looks to add the online retailer to stable of luxury goods including Chloe, Alaia, Cartier, and Van Cleef & Arpels.

John Galliano will become the next chairman of London's Fashion Fringe. He follows Donatella Versace.

Rumors resurface that Karl Lagerfeld has not renewed his contract at Chanel and Lanvin's Alber Elbaz will take over as his successor.

Terry Richardson is working on a relaunch of his website "to have films and sell things like T-shirts," according to Richardson. The photographer is also focused on two new books, including a second installment of TerryWorld by Taschen.

Source: Patrick Demarchelier/Vogue

After you're back from your sexy exploration, take on the role of hot militarian. Let Anna Selezneva be your guide. Achieving this Fall trend is simple. Here's what you need: olive henley, clunky chain jewels, green cargo pants, a military cap, and sweat. To avoid looking too masculine, open all your henley buttons, roll your cargo waist, and make sure your jewels have lots of shine. A minor attitude adjustment; lose the smile, up the sex appeal — go time.

Vogue will soon be launching a new iPhone app called Vogue Stylist, and it's going to cost you. You won't have to pay for the app itself (it's free), but you'll have to try and restrain yourself from buying the pricey items you'll find within it. The Vogue Stylist App features ads from the current print magazine and allows you to check out details like brands, price, and where to buy in shops that are closest to you. Plus, you'll be able to check out a few notable current trends (which come pre-loaded), and help you find new ways to style each piece with its demo ensembles.

The Vogue Stylist App is due out this month, but if you like shopping on your phone, you can get the ShopStyle App now for free! The ShopStyle app gives you access to all your favorite designers and brands, and even lets you shop right from your phone!