Walking the Victoria’s Secret fashion show is a dream come true for countless models and every year a select few gets the chance to strut their stuff for millions of viewers. The 2009 VS lineup is full of surprises; from the arrival of stunning newcomers, to the return of VS favorites and much more. Our full coverage of all the goings on backstage kicks off later tonight, but here is a little taste to get you ready.

For even more VS check out MDC’s backstage pictures!

The lovely Candice Backstage at The Armory, pic Betty for MDC

Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2009

Alessandra Ambrosio
Miranda Kerr
Maryna Linchuk
Caroline Trentini
Izabel Goulart
Liu Wen
Candice Swanepoel
Abbey Lee Kershaw
Tatiana Kovylina
Selita Ebanks
Erin Heatherton
Anja Rubik
Doutzen Kroes
Chanel Iman
Julia Stegner
Edita Vilkeviciute
Isabeli Fontana
Ana Beatriz Barros
Sessilee Lopez
Marisa Miller
Caroline Winberg
Behati Prinsloo
Eniko Mihalik
Anastasia Kuznetsova
Lyndsey Scott
Lily Aldridge
Dorothea Barth Jorgensen
Elyse Taylor
Shannan Click
Heidi Klum
Rosie Huntington Whiteley
Lindsay Ellingson
Anna Jagodzinska
Aminata Niaria

2 new young Americans on our radar. Mitch from DNA Models is only 13 years old. We can’t believe it either!

Charlotte from Photogenics is 16, half Indonesian, half English but from the LA area. Amazing lines!

From foster homes to the cover of Life Magazine, we salute the extraordinary and ground breaking journey of Naomi Sims, called the first black supermodel, who died this past week at the age of 61. Wise as well ( “There is nothing sadder than an old, broke model, and there are many models who have nothing at the end of their career,” Ms. Sims told The Times in 1969), she went on to create a successful line of wigs and cosmetics for black women under her name. Read the Times obituary and take a look at some pictures from her inspiring career.

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See the Dior Homme campaign; it does, of course have a lot of gorgeous Brazilian men.

Also for our friends in Brazil, here’s House of Models’ interview with Bruna Tenorio (in Portugese).

For the making of Zara‘s Fall/Winter campaign with Toni Garrn shot by David Sims, click here.

How do you get into the world of fashion? Teen Vogue‘s new book explains it all. With contributions by the Kaiser: Karl Lagerfeld, Patrick Demarchelier, Mario Testino, Chanel Iman and Caroline Trentini, this is the book that we wished we had when we started out oh so long ago. Out on October 5th.

Vanity Fair‘s best dressed list is out. Who made the cut from the fashion industry? Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, Georgina Chapman, Tory Burch, Candy Pratts-Price, Franca Sozzani, Natalia Vodianova, Bruce Weber, Peter Beard and Rachel Roy. Eclectic indeed.

Jenna (the no longer Anonymous ex-Model at Jezebel) has a great post on Anna Wintour‘s early days of editing at NY Magazine. Worth taking a sec to see Anna pre-”Never a hair out of place”, along with the most genuine smile we’ve ever seen on her. (As you click through the gallery, make sure you read Jenna’s comments next to the picture).

If Karl Lagerfeld likes you, you will ALWAYS work. Take a sneak peek at his shoot for Purple Fashion with Baptiste Giabiconi, wearing heels, natch.

Behind the scenes, Eniko Mihalik on a water buffalo

And what everyone’s been waiting for, the 2009 Pirelli Calendar by Terry Richardson. Italian Vanity Fair has the preview with the full cast (casting by Jennifer Starr). Fashionologie via Italian Vanity Fair.

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One of our favorite stylists, Nicola Formichetti is featured on the Cut.

We’re all for more inclusiveness (British Vogue’s Alexander Schulman tackles the size 0 problem). Here’s Jezebel’s interesting take on it.

Here’s another interview for the Brazilian fans.. the very lovely Izabel Goulart.

Caroline Trentini is at her best when she’s looking sweet but sultry. The freckle faced Brazilian charmer vamps it up for Sebastian Kim in the latest Numero. Even though she’s giving attitude as in every picture Caroline’s girlishness is still the focus. Who else could look this sexy while still retaining that impish gleam in her eyes?

Vogue Italia cover girl Eliza Cummins interviewed by Pony Ryder.

“The geriatric Brokeback Mountain”. Best quote from Matthew Tyrnauer and Andre Leon Talley about the Valentino documentary. Read excerpts here from NY Mag.

“With men, trying to look alluring is problematic.” The eerie and fascinating designer Rick Owens is photographed by Nick Knight for Arena Homme +. See the live video and interview from the shoot.

Hear Anna Jagodzinska, Isabeli Fontana, Raquel Zimmermann, Caroline Trentini. speak to Style.com about their cover shoot.. Yes we are in love with Raquel’s voice.

Are you into design? Our friends at ENC need a design intern (NYC only please) to help put together design concepts, make them actual graphics, as well their own design input and research. email Chuck@enctees.com.

Love this i-D story with Anna Selezneva for their “resourceful” issue. Photographed by Richard Bush and styled by Sarah Richardson, the story includes real Japanese obis and kimonos incorporated into the designer pieces. Certainly the right way to “tighten the belt” during these recessionary times.

Ph: Richard Bush for i-D May 2009. Scans by Northern Star from tFS

The girls are here and they’re better than ever.   Liya Kebede,  Natalia Vodianova,  Anna Jagodzinska,  Isabeli Fontana,  Lara Stone,  Jourdan Dunn,  Raquel Zimmermann,  Caroline Trentini and Natasha Poly grace the cover of May’s epic issue of Vogue. Fashion addicts have been waiting for this one forever and the cover is more than worth it. Looking as polished and elegant as vintage Breck girls the chosen 9 are pitch perfect representatives for the model as a muse. The force behind this must have issue? None other than Steven Meisel, who is featured in a special article about his lasting influence on the world of modelling.

You’re going to want two copies.

So much news in the blogosphere!

If you missed OTM’s interview with rising star Mina Cvetkovic (in the current Alberta Ferretti campaign by Meisel) click here to watch the beautiful Serbian.

Luis Fernandes passes away, Tim Blanks remembers a longtime colleague and friend.

March Vogue Italia covergirl Kinga Rajzak interviewed by Ponyryder. Smart, sweet and hardworking, what more could you want in a model?

The economy hasn’t hit all areas of the industry. Art&Commerce opens an office in Paris. Jed Root London moves to bigger digs.

Anna Wintour gets 60 Minutes, Carine Roitfeld gets CNN. Who do you think will get the coolest story out of the news crew following them around?

Now THIS we call front row, courtesy of Mr Olivier Zahm, you can’t get any closer than this.

And in Brazilian news…. Check out these gorgeous new pics of Solange Wilvert, the Brazilan face of Gucci 05.    Who loves Brazilian bombshells Alessandra Ambrosio, Caroline Trentini and Emanuela de Paula? Click here to see them in action.  New face Lovani does Jil Sander, Dolce & Gabbana amongst others. Aline Weber on the cover of Wish Magazine, a new Brazilian magazine that’s featured some of the industry’s top faces (Raquel, Chanel and Aline..).

The Imagist muses on Milan: models, clothes and Raf Simons‘ timeless collection.
Check out Raf in a rare video interview for the NY Times.

Speaking of video, watch Showstudio’s special Gareth Pugh video and wait for Natasa V give you chills as she models F/W 09.

Check out Extreme Beauty from the Vogue exhibit in Milan. (from March 4th-May10th).

Another victim of the recession, Arena magazine (one of the few men’s magazines with excellent fashion editorials for men) is suspended. Arena Homme Plus thankfully is not being touched.

Supermodel Natalia Vodianova and young up and coming actor Luke Grimes are photographed by Mario Testino for V Magazine‘s spring issue.

Natalia Vodianova and Luke Grimes. Ph: Mario Testino for V Magazine #58 (from originalsin via tFS).

As fashion moves to embrace diversity Vogue unveils its chosen few. Highlighting the variety of beauty via the hottest modeling stars Patrick Demarchelier captures the allure of the individual. Official Vogue it-girl Caroline Trentini cements her status as the face of new post-millennial luxury, while Sasha Pivovarova proves that she can do elegant as well as avant-garde. Oluchi Onweagba takes center stage as regal doyenne and Coco Rocha shows off the retro charm that makes her the perfect representative for Vogue’s ongoing love affair with nostalgia. Newcomer Arlenis Sosa displays the refinement that has made her a sensation and last but certainly not least cerebral beauty Lakshmi Menon, makes her American Vogue debut looking as impeccable as ever.

While each girl is special in her own right the combined power of these beauties represents a collective shift in the Vogue aesthetic towards something more inclusive and representative. As a group these models are accomplished and intelligent with strong personalities and diverse backgrounds.Together they reflect the modern spirit of beauty as a multicultural, distinctive and inspirational force.