What is going on with all this dirty chic nonsense? Craig McDean shot a huge spread for the September 2009 issue of W magazine highlighting the stylish side of homelessness (yeah, wtf), and now legendary photographer Steven Meisel has carried the theme over to Italian Vogue. In fact, Meisel shot not one, not two, but three covers featuring Anna Jagodzinska, Will Lewis, Ash Stymest, Jamie Bochert and, of course, Sasha Pivovarova. (Pivovarova had a starring role as the Dior tissue paper-clad bag lady in McDean’s W shoot.)  On each cover, the models pose in pairs or trios clad in luxurious clothes that are made to look worn and makeup that makes them look like a troupe of dusty, thirsty vagabonds. Beyond being perhaps the dirtiest cover to date, this triple issue is also distinct for using male models on the front, a rare practice for Italian Vogue. [Design Scene]

Vogue Italia certainly knows how to increase sales:

1. Drum up media coverage by launching an all black issue that features only African-American models.
2. Follow up a year later, only replace the models with inanimate black objects and simply drum up controversy.

In its second go-around, the magazine has named Barbie its cover girl of the now annual Black issue. Says editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani, “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.” Huh. Let’s take a closer look, shall we?

Ever since Barack Obama began campaigning for the presidency, designers of a wide range of products have latched on to his marketability. And, at last, good old American pride seems to have gotten high fashion cred. Photographer Bruce Weber shot two models wearing Obama shirts with designer skirts and head pieces for Italian Vogue, and Elle‘s Kate Lanphear showed her presidential approval on Inauguration Day by sporting an “Obama Mama” tee. But Obama-fever isn’t relegated to T-shirts. A model who looks a little bit like our president closed Lanvin’s Fall 2009 show in Sunday. Hooray for the U.S.A.!

While all the techies were clamoring for the new iPhone last Friday, fashionistas were trying to secure Vogue Italia‘s monumental “Black Issue”—all of the featured models are Black and all the featured content addresses Black women. But don’t fret if you haven’t gotten your copy yet. Conde Nast has increased distribution by 40 percent in the U.S. and Italian copies earmarked for return will be sent to the U.S. The company will also print an additional 10,000 copies to keep up with demand for the issue. Cheers to Vogue Italia for taking this giant leap toward diversity. Now let’s hope special issues like this won’t be necessary in the future. And we’ll be watching the runways in September to see diversity in practice. [WWD]