V77

THE AMERICANA ISSUE

When we sat down to discuss the contents of this issue, the ideas submitted were as varied as a mile-long Vegas buffet. Peppy cheerleaders, prolific fashion designers, Art Deco architecture, Nascar drag racing, Route 66 road trips, F. Scott Fitzgerald, legendary models, Texas socialites, and art-world superstars were all on the docket. We soon realized that for everyone in our editorial melting pot—the staff here hails from hometowns in places as far-flung as Massachusetts, Missouri, California, Canada, New Zealand, and Belgium—America means something a little bit different.  

Now, after soldiering through plenty of impassioned discourses, we feel it is time to revel in the results. In this edition of V you’ll find historic fashion figures, musical geniuses, and a fair amount of kitsch. Our cover star, the indomitable Ke$ha (shot by Inez & Vinoodh and styled by Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele), ticks all three of the aforementioned boxes. Not only is she fearless with her style, but as the self-made songstress from Tennessee reveals to senior editor Patrik Sandberg, she is equally passionate about her loyal fan base and her furry four-legged friends. 

As for the rest of the issue, fasten your seat belt. True to the fabric of America, we honor all kinds of innovators: design greats like Charles James and Claire McCardell; punk rock darling Beth Ditto; current queens of comedy; Native-American beauties; and a treasure trove of iconic models, including Elaine Irwin, Christie Brinkley, and Carol Alt, as well as relative newcomers Arizona Muse and Karlie Kloss (all wearing pieces by American designers). We even have a darling American Idol in Jordin Sparks, who shares loving anecdotes about her Sparkle costar Whitney Houston. Our meander through the States makes a noteworthy pit stop in the suburbs with Sebastian Faena, Nicola Formichetti, and supermodel Carolyn Murphy, and another in Texas, where legendary director Larry Clark takes time out from filming his new movie, Marfa Girl, to shoot a Pre-Fall fashion story with stylist Melanie Ward. 

There are exclusive peeks at new works by multimedia artist Marco Brambilla (at the Kennedy Space Center), innately curious photographer Martin Parr (in Atlanta), and design duo Rodarte, whose costumes for Don Giovanni will debut at the Walt Disney Concert Hall later this month. New talents (Light Asylum) and interviews with reality-TV stars, including Chris Crocker and a pregnant, leopard-print-loving Snooki, round out the more outré elements, while Seth MacFarlane, the Family Guy creator and director of the upcoming comedy Ted, questions the media’s sanity during an election year. Of course fashion is never forgotten: along with shoots dedicated to the new collections, we take a backstage look at the glamorous haute couture shows in Paris—a crème brûlée finish to one delicious American smorgasbord.