Vogue Italia

>> Models Photograph Themselves for Vogue Italia's December 2009 Twitter Cover Story —Steven Meisel devoted the January 2007 issue of Vogue Italia to webcams and YouTube, and for the magazine's last issue of the decade, it's all about Twitter.  So far, only the December 2009 cover has surfaced, featuring Kasia Struss alongside iconic top models Lara Stone, Natalia Vodianova, Christy Turlington — and in a surprise, the currently close-to-the-end-of-her-pregnancy Gisele Bundchen — but word is that the models on the cover and in the accompanying editorial inside all photographed themselves, in an ode to Twitpic. [TFS, TFS]

>> Rianne ten Haken, Meisel Darling Once Again —Rianne ten Haken, who appeared on her first Vogue Italia cover back in December 2003, has definitely been welcomed back into the Steven Meisel fold. After appearing on a number of top Spring 2010 runways — Proenza Schouler, Versace, Jean Paul Gaultier — with a shock of red hair, Rianne now boasts a set of back-to-back Vogue Italia covers in her portfolio.  She appeared with Karlie Kloss for October 2009, but for November 2009, it's all solo. [Models.com]

>> Scott "The Sartorialist" Schuman, whose first book came out last week, is about to add another Vogue edition to his resume: Vogue Italia.  Schuman has photographed for Vogue Paris in the past — Carine Roitfeld is a fan — and seems to have won over Franca Sozzani: he recently shot Rachel Rutt for Vogue Italia.

His girlfriend and fellow streetstyle photographer Garance Dore has also been amping up her reach: this Fall, she will have more frequent contributions on Vogue Paris's website and perhaps in the magazine, focusing on the magazine's "Une fille, un style" ("A girl, a style") column, plus "behind-the-scenes coverage of fashion shoots, profiles of stylish women around the world in collaboration with French Vogue editor in chief Carine Roitfeld and other subjects of her choosing."

And last week, Patrick Robinson announced that Garance would be collaborating with Gap on an exhibit in their London pop-up next month, with her sketches (like the one above, left) on T-shirts.

>> Daphne Guinness spent some time last month being photographed by Steven Klein for an upcoming issue of Vogue Italia, but she also spent ten days out of July in Maui on a shoot with i-D and Vogue Italia photographer David LaChapelle.  She blogged today of the experience:

"We’ve been shooting for 10 days straight. Sometimes twenty hour shoots in a day, from the deepest jungle to the volcanic cliffs, moving sets and equipment constantly. Working directly with the elements, the downpours, changing height and distances and moving the equipment has all been a challenge. The results are completely remarkable."

So what's with the bathtub? »

Barbie's on a roll! After showing a rad collection at New York Fashion Week earlier this year, the icon will make her next debut as the star in Vogue Italia's upcoming Black Issue.

"Barbie has been an icon for whole generations, which is why I really wanted to give a strong sign in step with the times, and dedicate the anniversary issue to Black Barbie," said Franca Sozzani, editor in chief of Vogue Italia.

The supplement issue will feature Black Barbie styled in an array of designer creations ranging from fancy evening gowns to bedazzled swimsuits. The brand will also be launching a new collection of black Barbie dolls next year, named the So In Style dolls, designed to look more authentic with fuller lips, a wider nose, curly hair, and distinctive cheek bones.

To see more of Barbie in the Black Issue, read more