Steven Meisel Produces Identical Shoots for Vogue Italia and W--Did He Screw Over W?

Here's the deal: You may have seen the 22-page portfolio Steven Meisel shot for W's September 2011 issue. The editorial features black and white "before" and "after" shots of big-name models like Raquel Zimmermann, Jessica Stam, Karen Elson and Carolyn Murphy. The story was a big get for the mag, considering Meisel had never worked with W before. Thing is, Meisel produced a strikingly similar editorial for Vogue Italia's August issue. WWD noticed the nearly identical spreads, and has it from a source that Meisel may have financed the Italian Vogue shoot on W's dime. Neither W nor Steven Meisel has commented on the issue, however a fallout--or at least a fault line--is bound to happen soon.

Author:: Hayley Phelan
Updated:: Apr 9, 2014
Original:: Sep 6, 2011

Here's the deal: You may have seen the

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Marquita Pring, Tara Lynn, Candice Huffine and Robyn Lawley--all "plus" size models--are the stars of Vogue Italia's June issue. Whereas Pring was once relegated to Vogue Italia's "curves" section online, this month she's just another model in a smoldering black and white 10-page Elizabeth Taylor-inspired editorial for the mag shot by Steven Meisel. Tara Lynn, Candice Huffine and Robyn Lawley grace the cover. "Never before have four curvier girls been in a spread shot by Steven Meisel with no specific purpose at all," Pring said. "No size issue, no color issue. Just beautiful, normal Italian Vogue." Pring kept a diary during the two-day shoot. She chronicled everything--her nerves, emotions, the clothes, the makeup (the makeup artist uses what she calls the "Naomi kit" on Marquita which is usually used for Naomi Campbell), and how it felt to get naked for Steven Meisel--minute by minute. The shoot, Pring says, was "one of the most incredible experiences of my career/life." But she almost missed out on it.

By Leah Chernikoff
Apr 9, 2014

For next month's cover of Vogue Italia, Steven Meisel shot Raquel Zimmermann in a crowd of suits, slightly jostled but holding her own on what is meant to be the A-train. We think this is the only time the MTA has ever been stylish. The accompanying editorial is appropriately titled "The Commute" and features Zimmermann as various incarnations of NYC girls, all of whom we've seen on the subway before (albeit in much lower-priced versions of Zimmermann's looks). Check out the gallery to see the entire 14-page spread. What's your favorite NYC style?

By Mickie Meinhardt
Apr 9, 2014

Finally, we have a full fashion editorial to go a long with those mesmerizing gifs of Jessica Stam, Abbey Lee et al donning ridiculous, over-the-top

By Dhani Mau
Apr 10, 2014

You didn't think Franca Sozzani would just gloss over the growing controversy over Karlie Kloss' Steven Meisel-shot editorial, right? The always outspoken EIC of Vogue Italia has taken to her blog today to address what she's calling "The Truth About Karlie Kloss and Steven Meisel Photos." She specifically talks about the photo--you know, the one that mysteriously disappeared from Vogue Italia's website, the one with Karlie's abs of steel contorted such that they caused an internet commotion last week, with many people calling either "anorexia" or "photoshop." According to Sozzani, it was neither.

By Hayley Phelan
Mar 6, 2018