Today Fashion Rollcall names both American Vogue and Vogue Germany to its Rollcall list.  Arlenis Sosa is on the May cover of Vogue Germany.  She is also the new face of Lancome’s Laque Fever line.  The cover girl is having a fabulous year and we’re not even at the half-way mark. [Fashionista via Models] 

We also learned who made the May cover of American Vogue’s, The Models Issue.  The list is pretty stellar.  Each has already proven herself to be a force to contend with in this industry, and it will be great to see her progress within the next few seasons. They are Liya Kebede, Natalia Vodianova, Anna Jagodzinska, Isabeli Fontana, Lara Stone, Jourdan Dunn, Raquel Zimmermann, Caroline Trentini and Natasha Poly.  Congratulations to all!

Related Posts: Vogue’s Top Models, The Models’ Photographer.

Yesterday we talked about the May issue of Vogue, The Models Issue.  The cover was shot by famed photographer Steven Meisel.  Vogue.com has a feature story on the fashion photographer that is really worth reading.  It chronicles his beginnings in the industry, and touches on the complexity of the man.  His subjects have nothing, but praise for his craft and his ability to bring out the best in them.  While you are there, check out the video of the models backstage as they prepare for the shoot with Meisel, click onto the link. You will hear the models talk a bit about Meisel, Vogue, and modeling. 

Related Post: Vogue’s Top Models

Vogue magazine’s May cover is usually reserved for the top models, and this May will be no different. No celebrities needed this month. Even more interesting is that Liya Kebede and Jourdan Dunn are on the cover and on the inside fold respectively. May marks the third consecutive month that a woman of color appears on the cover of Vogue.  Michelle Obama appeared on the cover in March, Beyonce in April, and now Liya and Jourdan in May.  The cover is pretty fantastic and all the models look beautiful: Natalia Vodianova, Raquel Zimmermann, Isabeli Fontana, Anna Jagodzinska, Lara Stone, Caroline Trentini and Natasha Poly. [The Cut via The Fashion Bomb]

Related Post: The Models’ Photographer

The First Lady was the subject of our Rollcall list yesterday in Michelle Obama’s Overseas Style.  Her fashion choices while on the world stage have been the talk of the town over the last two weeks.  The three selected looks were:

• A. Azzedine Alaia- Black dress at NATO Dinner;
• B. Junya Watanabe/Jason Wu- Teal sweater and dress at school in London; and
• C. Thakoon- Fuchsia dress in Germany.

All of these looks elicited much conversation and debate.  The two to move on to the Showdown are the Azzedine Alaia black dress worn at the NATO dinner, and the Junya Watanabe/Jason Wu teal cardigan and dress combination. 

The winner of this Showdown is the Junya Watanabe/Jason Wu look.  Many people had a visceral reaction to the sweater.  They either praised it or panned it, but it was the perfect choice for a visit to a school of young girls.  She was warm and approachable, and her style of dress conveyed that as well.  Mrs. Obama was so relaxed and self assured at the school that she won us over.  Take another view of Michelle Obama in that much talked about teal sweater and dress combination at Shop Talk and you will see why this is a Showdown favorite.

The house of Christian Lacroix is experiencing the effects of the economic downturn. Luxury department stores like Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Saks have either dropped or reduced their orders.  Now the French haute-couture house is seeking financial backing in the form of a partnership.  There is no denying that Lacroix is talented, there is simply a limited market for $8,000 gowns right now.  Christian Lacroix delivered creatively during the fall 2009 ready-to-wear shows in Paris.  Let’s look at his brilliance in this video. [Business of Fashion via The Wall Street Journal]

Fashion Rollcall selected three looks sported by Michelle Obama during the G20 visit in Europe for its Rollcall list.  Her fashion choices generated much conversation in the media, and on many fashion blogs.  Each look had its admirers and detractors.  Two will move on to the Showdown on Friday.  You can view the photos by clicking the link of each designer’s name.  The selected looks and designers are:

• A. Azzedine Alaia- Black dress at NATO Dinner;
• B. Junya Watanabe/Jason Wu- Teal sweater and dress at school in London; and
• C. Thakoon- Fuchsia dress in Germany.

Related Post: Her Style Showdown

Thankfully this spring is all about color, color and more color.  Nothing beats beautiful vibrant colors to breathe new life into your wardrobe.  Use accessories to be on trend and to update your closet.  The right bag, belt and sandals in vivid orange, pink or yellow will brighten up your look and your mood.  Take some inspiration from this ELLE video.  You will be ripe with anticipation for the warmer days of spring.

“American fashion right now is struggling,” says Oscar de la Renta. “I think I understand what [Obama and her advisers] are doing, but I don’t think that is the right message at this particular point….I don’t object to the fact that Mrs. Obama is wearing J. Crew to whatever because the diversity of America is what makes this country great. But there are a lot of great designers out there. I think it’s wrong to go in one direction only.”

The reverberations of this quote have been felt throughout the fashion world.  Fashion blogs are abuzz with comments.  Some are in agreement with Mr. de la Renta, others voice strong dissent.  The dissenters argue that Mr. de la Renta had the privilege of dressing First Ladies from Nancy Reagan to Laura Bush, and should allow the newer designers to have their day. 

The First Lady has become a fashion icon, and many designers are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to dress her.  Whether it’s a wise strategy to publicly scold Michelle Obama about her fashion choices remains to be seen.  A better approach may be to graciously await the call.  She has been the First Lady for less than three months; she will wear designs by many American designers throughout the four years, including Mr. de la Renta.  The best course of action in this instance is for the designers to acknowledge the age old adage that ’patience is a virtue’. 

Dressing Michelle: Major Designers Wait for First Lady’s Call [WWD]

Oscar de la Renta Slams Michelle Obama’s Fashion Choices [The Cut]