Cosmopolitan’s circulation was down 7.8% in the first half of 2009. The NY Times blames the recession and the decreased frequency of impulse buys. But AdWeek thinks ladymags are becoming more irrelevant with the growing number of Web sites, blogs (cough, cough) and TV programs offering life and style advice. I’m just glad that someone finally said “we don’t need another ‘how to touch his junk’ story.” What do you all think?

Via: Jezebel

Big Bird’s letter of the day is “U”: U is for umbrella, ukulele, underwear, uncle, unicorn…and, oh, did I mention UGLY? Solange Knowles wore this hideous black Big Bird outfit to the Cosmopolitan Magazine Starlaunch Concert. Feathers and pleather…could we get any gawdier? 

Thanks Jezebel! 

Sonny Vandevelde is a European-born, Sydney-raised photographer. Fed up with the unimaginative “tunnel vision” of his photography instructors, he dropped out of college and learned his craft his own way. His father did lighting on film sets, so Vandevelde picked up equipment and technical knowledge from working with him.

Vandevelde started in sports photography for Australian magazines and moved onto catalog work for Quiksilver. From his personal photography of friends, he got into documenting local night life and learning about the fashion world. At this point he’s more of a Cobrasnake than a Leibowitz, focusing more on the personality of the models and subjects than the technicalities and traditions of his work. In much of his backstage work, models are smiling!

A “lifestyle-fashion photographer,” Vandevelde describes his work as “colorful…energetic…vibrant”

Vandevelde’s portfolio includes campaigns for Lucky Brand Jeans, Lee Jeans, Billabong, and Tommy Hilfiger, and his work has also appeared in Pulp, Link, Hint, Cosmopolitan, and other publications. His signature is documenting the backstage at runway shows and speaking out against formulaic magazines whose editorials don’t let the personalities of the models shine through.

Interview with Vandevelde here.

If you’re a mag-o-phile (one who likes magazines) like myself then this post is for you. Here is a round-up of the magazines that will be on your newsstands shortly:

US Harper’s Bazaar August 2008 : Jessica Biel by Peter Lindbergh

Allure August 2008 : Victoria Beckham by Michael Thompson

US Elle August 2008 : Mariah Carey

US InStyle August 2008 : by Robert Erdmann

Lucky August 2008 : Leighton Meester

US Marie Claire August 2008 : Maggie Gyllenhaal

US Glamour August 2008 : Christina Aguilera

Interview August 2008 : Eva Mendes by Mikael Jansson

US Cosmopolitan August 2008 : Scarlett Johansson

Vanity Fair August 2008 : Hollywood’s Next Wave by Mark Seliger

Vogue China August 2008 : Maggie Cheung by Mario Sorrenti

i-D August 2008 : Naomi Campbell & Stefano Pilati by Inez & Vinoodh