There is only one way to top an impressive Vogue Italia cover - show up in the next issue looking even better. Rianne Ten Haken was sexy on the cover of October’s extravaganza but for November Steven Meisel takes her into a stronger territory. With flame red hair and a maniacal grin Rianne heads into a twisted world reminiscent of sci-thriller Safe, even with the dramatic backdrop its hard to take your eyes off Miss Ten Haken.

Nothing brings a great cause to light like an imaginative ad that captures the heart of an issue with intelligence and wit. Of course, a few of the world’s most beautiful models stripping down to their skivvies certainly doesn’t hurt either. Cameron Russell, Rianne Ten Haken, Rachel Alexander, Dorothea Barth Jorgensen, Crystal Renn, Shannan Click, Olya Ivanisevic, Hanne Gaby Odiele, Alla Kostromichova, Nicole Trunfio and Heidi Mount join forces to bring awareness to 350.org and the International Day of Climate Awareness via a humorous spot that has the girls peeling off layers due to the heat caused by the rising carbon count. The ad conceived by Cameron herself, is a smart and sexy way to get attention for a great cause. MDC spoke to the always eloquent Cameron for a little insight into why this cause is so important and how the project itself got off the ground.

MDC: There are so many great people involved in this video - how did you organize such a project?

Cameron: All the girls are my friends and loved shooting the video for a good cause, so that part was relatively easy to pull together.

The whole project happened from start to finish in a little under two weeks and 300 phone calls–who knew production was so complicated!

MDC: On a personal level what made you want to get involved with this cause?

Cameron: I think Climate Change is the most important issue of our time. In the history of the world all 5 mass extinctions have been accompanied by massive climate change, so we are facing an incredible serious threat.  In fact we are technically in the 6th mass extinction right now, and it is the first mass extinction being attributed to human kind. My all time hero Tibor Kalman showed the world the ability of mass media to convey serious images and create real discussion (think 90’s Benneton ad’s of people with AIDS). Climate Change which is often seen as very political or scientific needs to be made a people’s issue. My hope is that this ad helps re-brand environmentalism.

Watch the video in HD on the Studio 4a Youtube channel.

Every month Vogue Italia manages to keep us on our toes with its choice of cover subject and this month the surprise is especially pleasant. After a six year absence Rianne Ten Haken returns to the cover of VI with fiery hair and a sultry attitude. This cover plus the incredible season Miss Ten Haken has been having makes for the official haute comeback of the year.

Add to this the unmistakable presence of one Karlie Kloss, the unstoppable force that just keeps getting better and better with every editorial, cover or campaign. A Vogue Italia cover is the icing on the cake for a newcomer who has managed to continuously awe with her much heralded skills in front of the camera. With hot pink hair and an unexpectedly saucy demeanor, Karlie dominates every frame that she’s in.

Steven Meisel has quite a treat in store for us this month - the party to the limit action spied in this preview is sure to whet your appetite for the full issue. Iris Strubegger, Dorothea Barth Jorgensen and Simon Nessman all make appearances in what is sure to be an exciting affair.

Images courtesy of Next NY (for Karlie).

We ask casting director Julia Samersova / Cast Inc., who just launched her website, 5 questions.

1-Why do you love casting?

The thing I adore about casting the most is finding a raw talent first and watching the model blossom into a star. It is an amazing feeling to know that you possess an eye and have your finger on the pulse of what is to come next. I love meeting all these young kids and listening to their “stories”. I also really love understanding what my clients need and providing them with the best model possible for their brand or project.

2- Name an inspirational person in fashion to you.

My mother. As a hair stylist in the 1980’s, she would always bring home magazines from the salon. Vogue, Harper’s etc. I was a very young girl at the time and fascinated with models. I went on to make HUGE collages out of cut up Vogues. They still hang in my mother’s house. Linda, Christy, Naomi, Cindy, etc. All over the walls. When I applied for an internship at Company Management in 1993, I actually knew how to answer the questions of “who is your favorite photographer and stylist” etc. I owe the worship of models and fashion to my mother and Michael Flutie for hiring a 17 year old girl from Brooklyn. He had a vision and I am eternally grateful to him for my entire career.

3- Favorite new faces of this past season.

Katie Fogarty. Her professionalism and high energy and smile. I just love her and so do all my clients. Tabea Kobach, for her otherworldly presence and eyes. Madisyn Ritland is just gorgeous. Constance Jablonski, because she is a throw back to a real SUPERMODEL. Imogen Morris-Clarke, because she is the epitome of cool to me.

4- All time favorite model.

Renee Simonsen. Because she is the 1st model I was obsessed with when I was very very young and she reminds me of Rianne Ten Haken, who is one of my all time faves. Models who actually knew how to model and gave 100% of themselves every single time. They shine! They are aspirational to women all over the world.

5- In these times of recession, why is it still so important for clients to use a casting director?

Because in the long run, a casting director, with their knowledge and expertise and relationships, can save the client a lot of money by knowing the market place and how to negotiate rates.

Saving a few thousand on a shoot and hiring the wrong model, can end up costing the client thousands in reshoots and production costs. The most important part of casting is not only to find a beautiful face, but a model that can really perform for a client. A good CD should be connected enough and experienced enough where they can recommend only those types of models.

Check out Julia’s brand new website, Castinnyc.com.

Julia Samersova.