We're Ready For Our Close-Up...

The September cover of i-D magazine will feature the fashion world's best and brightest stars... four up-and-coming black models. In fact, let's give them their credit, they are no longer "up-and-coming." These ladies have ARRIVED! Chanel Iman, Sesilee Lopez, Jourdan Dunn and Arlenis Sosa look nothing short of fabulous in this photo shoot. And if you don't believe me, take a sneak peak at the video below which features behind-the-scenes footage from the shoot. Naomi Campbell may still be forging ahead but these girls are bringing in the rear. On my cue everybody sing... "I want to love you, P.Y.T. Pretty Young Thing. You need some lovin'. T.L.C...."

P.S. Jourdan is supposedly pregnant, hence the strategic placement of Seslie's arm. Also peep the 1:03 minute mark in the video. Congrats Jourdan. You're repping for the U.K.!

Chanel Iman Covers Page Six

In this week�s Page Six Magazine � Named after legendary designer Coco Chanel, this hot young model is now blazing her own trail in the fashion world. Meet Chanel Iman, prot�g�e of Tyra Banks and favorite of Galliano and McQueen, who is determined to shake things up with her vibrant personality, cheeky tattoos and modern attitude toward race. Here's some excerpts from her interview and below is some behind-the-scenes footage of her cover photo shoot...

On rumors she has been involved with Kanye West, rapper Tyga, and singer-producer Ryan Leslie: �I�m young and I�m dating. But I�m not gonna say any names. There are special people in my life but nothing serious. Just having a man in general is a job! I have one job; I can�t have a second. I�m the type of girl that if I have a man, I want to be a good girl-friend and be there for them and take care of them.�

On her close relationship with Tyra Banks: �She keeps it real. She tells it like it is. She�s really been a great mentor for me.�

On the rigors of working New York Fashion Week: �Honestly, I try to forget Fashion Week once it�s over. I just want to go home and rest and just forget I even did it. It could drive you crazy! It�s just show after show after show, and you�re missing your family and they feel really far away. You don�t go to sleep. You work for a month. You spend all this time trying on clothes� what drives me the most crazy is people touching me all the time. That does get weird.�

On how she ended up naming her Maltese �Louis Dior�: �I really loved working with [Dior designer] John Galliano�he�s so amazing. He actually let me name my dog Dior. I asked him! Right after I bought my puppy, I flew to Paris and John was the first designer that I saw. So I was like, �Hey, I don�t have a name for my puppy, so is it OK, John, if I name him Dior?� He said, �It would be my honor.� So I took a picture of me and my dog and sent it to him. He loved it.�

On her frustrations at the difficulties that models of color face in the industry: �It�s not just black girls. It�s ethnic girls in general: Brazilian girls, Hispanic. You really don�t see a lot of Asians either. A lot of designers think that if every girl on the runway looks exactly alike, then people will come to the shows and buy the clothes because they won�t be focusing on the models�.It�s not even just runway either... us ethnic girls should be getting a lot of the covers too! I would love to be on half of the campaigns these [white] girls are booking, all looking exactly alike. It�s not right. It�s not fair.�

Bring Back Bohemian

A dress from Jean Paul Gaultier's Spring 2008 Couture Collection

Nicole Richie, Chanel Iman and Angela Simmons bring Boho-chic back!

The 70's were a liberating time. We just don't see that kind of freedom of expression anymore. That is until this summer! Jean Paul Gaultier, ever the free thinker, was ahead of the game on the runway. His Spring 2008 Couture collection was filled with tributes to the decade of debauchery. Think flowing chiffon, busy prints and oversized clothing. Even Victoria's Secret is getting in on the act. Check out this Printed Caftan Dress on sale for $79 available at www.victoriassecret.com. If this trend is feeling far too retro for you, at least consider wrapping a scarf around your forehead like Ms. Simmons above. Paired with this summer's must-have long dress, the look is both deliciously modern and delightfully vintage.

High Drama!

A look from Bill Blass� Fall 2008 ready-to-wear collection

Chanel Iman (in 3.1 Philip Lim), Eve (in Emanuel Ungaro) and Eva Longoria (in Marchesa) stop traffic in their dramatic outfits.

It�s not enough to just walk into a room looking fabulous. Nowadays your outfit has to shout it from the rooftops! The classic black dress is all good and well but when you really want to make a show, opt for something theatrical. Many of the Fall/Winter 2008 collections during New York Fashion Week were filled with high-neck collars, fanciful frills and dreamy chiffon ruffles. Bill Blass� collection, for example, is the epitome of dramatic flair though if you�re not too sure you can get away with such an exuberant entrance look to Victoria Beckham and Charlize Theron who took this look to the streets. Try this Sheer Ruffle top by Wetseal.com. For those of you who love the attention, take a leaf out of Chanel Iman, Eva Longoria and Eve�s style books. They definitely know how to put on a show.