News

August 31, 2009
Memo Pad: Elle's Many Faces..

by WWD Staff

Posted Tuesday September 01, 2009

ELLE’S GREAT AND GOOD: Deciding on a cover star is always a difficult move, so for its October edition, British Elle has instead chosen to embrace variety, opting for 11 images for a range of covers to mark its special London issue.  

The move, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of London Fashion Week this month, sees Lily Allen shot by Rankin appear on one cover while Boris Johnson, the outspoken mayor of London, gamely poses for photographer Henry Bourne on another. The mayor’s appearance also links to Elle teaming up with the London Underground transport system, which will display posters created for Elle by British fashion figures during September. “Lorraine Candy [the title’s editor in chief] took what for many might seem like a huge risk. Who would have expected me to grace an Elle cover — or any other fashion magazine?” said Johnson, who also writes the magazine’s editor’s letter for October. Allen’s cover will feature on most of the editions printed, while the limited edition Johnson cover, along with ones featuring artwork by Paul Smith, Burberry, Pringle and singer Pete Doherty, will be sold exclusively through newsagents W H Smith and at Selfridges.  

“It took six months to put this special collectors’ issue together,” said Candy.  

Advertisers in the issue include Louis Vuitton, Prada, Dior, Chanel, Chloé and Gucci, and the magazine will hit newsstands Wednesday. — Nina Jones

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