Ambassador Anna? Rumors Have Vogue Ed Paris-Bound

If posts are just plums for political donors, why have them?

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama opted for politics as usual in his ambassador appointments yesterday, writes David Rothkopf for ForeignPolicy. Like recent predecessors, Obama turned to deep-pocketed campaign donors; hence Japan, the world’s second-largest economy, will deal with a tech lawyer whose sole qualification seems to have been his ability to raise $500,000, while France gets a guy who used to run the Muppets. Which raises the question: Do we even need ambassadors? More»

It's all about the look, says sexy, stylish Carine Roitfeld

(NEWSER) - Carine Roitfeld, editor of French Vogue, went through the worldwide gossip mill last year when she was rumored to be Anna Wintour's successor at the icon's US edition. But, Roitfeld tells the Guardian in a wide-ranging interview, she was never approached. And if she had been? “It’s really not me. I’m good at what I do here.” The style icon sat down to discuss her fashion philosophy and personal style. More»

(NEWSER) - Michelle Obama will appear on the cover of Vogue’s March issue, only the second first lady (after Hillary Clinton) to have the fashion honor, the Washington Post reports. While most first ladies in the modern age have had spreads inside, editor Anna Wintour says Michelle's "serene and secure style" made her an obvious fit for the cover. Annie Leibovitz is the photographer. More»

The September Issue parlays blanket access into 'engrossing' portrait

(NEWSER) - A Sundance documentary offering a rare, unfettered look at steely Vogue editrix Anna Wintour proves “engrossing even if you don't care much about fashion,” Andrew O’Hehir writes in Salon, and goes a long way to humanize the subject of The Devil Wears Prada. In a Q&A, RJ Cutler, who directed The September Issue, says “I think people will be surprised. They will see what they’ve heard, certainly, but they will also see behind the curtain.” More»

Wintour chides candidate for canceling magazine photo shoot

(NEWSER) - Hillary Clinton apparently hasn't seen The Devil Wears Prada. Vogue editor Anna Wintour, reputedly the inspiration for the title character, tongue-lashes the presidential hopeful in the February issue for backing out of the cover shoot, Women’s Wear Daily reports. According to Wintour, Clinton "decided to steer clear of our pages at this point in her campaign for fear of looking too feminine." More»