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]

Leave it to a fashion magazine. In any other medium, exploring homelessness would entail in-depth interviews, following up with local politicians and including a quote or two from national charity organizations. For W magazine, it meant draping model Sasha Pivovarova in tissue paper from Dior, paper bags from Prada and odds and ends from Chanel. W gets brownie points for an interesting concept and—per usual—beautiful imagery. But are we the only ones who think a chic twist on homelessness is in poor taste? More outrageous images after the jump, and um, you tell us.