Anja Rubik, is sitting pretty for Vogue Nippon. Nathaniel Goldberg captures the classic stunner looking exceptional in dramatic gold makeup by Diane Kendall. Modeling is chock full of beautiful girls but it takes someone special to pull off a face full of crackled gold leaf and Anja makes even the most daunting makeup look dazzling. Don’t you think it’s time that the divine Ms.Rubik picked up one of those oh so coveted beauty contracts? Are you listening Lancome and L’Oréal?

Michael Simmonds. d1 Model Management.

Cool London boutique agency, d1 Models, home to Luke Worrall, continues to spin out the awesome English boys. Witness Michael Simmonds, from Northwest London. Rock on we say!

Christy Turlington doesn’t get out much but when she does, WOW, is all we can say.

Vogue’s model roundtable with Sally Singer. Wish we could have been there..

Ellis, the Model Agent (from Independent Models) and Erin O’Connor, supermodel search for the next Irish supermodel on TV. Here are the girls.

The Cut has a hilarious list of why Madonna may be doing LV with Jesus Luz.

Time’s 100 list this year? Very lacking in fashion industry names. Only Stella McCartney makes it this year.

Fascinating behind the scenes interview on Avedon with his book designer and one time daughter in law, Elizabeth Avedon.

American Vogue‘s style director, Alexandra Kotur, is interviewed by the New York Observer. Anna Wintour says, “I trust her with all sorts of important sittings.” That’s high praise indeed, coming from Ms Wintour herself…

Matthew Williamson for H&M’s event had Helena and Selita looking gorgeous. Chanel Iman and Dree Hemingway…. not as much (so says Jezebel). Go here for some Jeremy Kost shots from the party.

T Magazine downsized, Mixte Magazine folds…. so sad.

Michael Simmonds full length.

Stephanie Seymour leads an illustrious group of models in paying tribute to designer Alber Elbaz. In the latest edition of Interview, Mrs. Brant wears Alber’s elegantly feminine designs in a New York hotel room while Magdalena Frackowiak shows his wares in on the streets of Paris. The international affair shot by Glen Luchford also includes Kasia Struss riding a crowded Manhattan train in head to toe Lanvin – not the most practical endeavor but it looks great all the same. For the full story check out Interview Magazine.com.

The idea of a swimsuit issue is generally associated with Sports Illustrated and the kinds of cheerfully cheesecake pictures that can be found pinned up in locker rooms. V Magazine has taken this time honored tradition and given it the high gloss, high fashion treatment enlisting Mario Testino and six of the most recognizable faces in modeling to turn up the heat and get us ready for summer. Gisele Bundchen,  Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Eva Herzigova, Claudia Schiffer and Daria Werbowy bare almost all as they pose for individual covers. Only Eva for now, since half the fun of V’s multiple covers lies in the anticipation…

For even more action check out V‘s enticing video preview.

There is something truly haunting about Daniel Jackson‘s Acne Paper portfolio of sensual faces. We teased you with a preview of Linda Vojtova‘s seductive shot but the whole story is just as good. Iris Strubegger, Sessilee Lopez, Anne Vyalitsyna, Adam Lundberg, Oraine Barrett, Diana Dondoe, Missy Rayder, Liu Wen, Alyssa Miller and Marina Perez each capture the right mix of refinement and carnality while Jackson’s dramatic use of lighting and color take the story to that next level. Many fashion stories attempt the erotic but few move beyond stereotypical “sexy” pictures and towards a deeper reflection on just what is desirable.

Liu Wen

Adam Lundberg

Alyssa Miller

Oraine

Marina P

Anne V

Iris

Diana D

Sessilee

Daniel Jackson for Acne Paper | Image Credit – FashionGoneRogue

Nothing beats a great sale for a great cause. This May 1st, Refinery 29 joins forces with the Fashion Center BID and the Times Square Alliance to bring a unique pop up shopping experience. 30 days of clothes from Acne, Preen, Rogan and numerous other talents working within the world of New York fashion. Each week, clothes from 10 new designers will be up for sale at Blank SL8, in the Port Authority prices right for every budget. To publicize this landmark sale photographer Chadwick Tyler shot beauties Lisa Cant, Elena Melnik, Sofi Berelidze and Tine Furre in a series of pure black and whites that capture the energetic and intrepid spirit of fashion in the Big Apple. For more on the event (and to plan your shopping trip) visit Save Fashion.com

One of our favorite Meisel cover and stories ever, with Linda Evangelista. July 2005 Vogue Italia. Image via the Moment.

Steven Meisel‘s 3rd book is featured on the Moment. (FYI, he’s at 317 covers of Vogue Italia and still counting). Sign us up!

In other Meisel news, behind the scenes at his GF Ferre shoot! Sadly we don’t see him ourselves but you do get to see the lovely Viktoriya Sosonkina and the amazing Viggo (and the gooorgeous and unmistakeably Meisel lighting). If you want to see Anna Jagodzinska‘s Ferre behind the scenes, check out the Ferre website.

Is Beth Ditto Barbie sized?

1 Management interviews Rad Hourani. Rad is so rad!

IMG’s Model.live web series is nominated for a best reality online “Webby”, go here to cast your vote.

Evandro Soldati fans out there: here’s a shot that didn’t make the cover of DOM.

Some new great guys featured below: Roy at Request;  Justin and Omar at Boss

Roy from Request. Image from COACD.

Justin and Omar at Boss.Ph: Fabien Montique. Image from the Imagist.

Chanel Iman has plans for the future. As one of the most ambitious girls in the business right now the diva-in-training is gearing up for her move to the small screen as a correspondent for House of Style. While a slew of covers, a consistent runway presence and a stint as a reporter might be enough for some girls Miss Iman has set her sights on that holiest of post-modeling grails, an acting career. Could a Gossip Girl-esque series about NY models be far behind? Stay tuned for more but in the meantime check out this preview of Chanel shot by Cameron Krone for V 59.