Photos: Alex Pettyfer by Hedi Slimane in Vman

More Vman Hedi Slimane photos of British actor Alex Pettyfer, AFTER THE JUMP...

Hedi Slimane Shoots Robert Pattinson for AnOther Man

Twilight's Robert Pattinson covers the new issue of AnOther Man Magazine, in a photo shoot by Hedi Slimane, styled by Nicola Formichetti.

Says Pattinson of the Twilight phenomenon: “It’s strange because even though the figures show that the books were successful and sold millions of copies, you couldn’t even buy them in London. I tried a couple of bookshops and they weren’t available. Hardly anyone I knew had read them apart from one girl, a friend of my sister. I had no idea at all. I’d seen Kristen Stewart in Into the Wild and some of the director Catherine Hardwicke’s other films, and that’s all I thought it was, something really small.”

One more shot, AFTER THE JUMP...

News: Annie Leibovitz, Sydney Shark, Justin Timberlake, Presbyterians

Man in sailor suit gay bashed in Seattle's Central District.

Annie Leibovitz pawns her life work to save finances: "Last fall, Annie Leibovitz, the photographer, borrowed $5 million from a company called Art Capital Group. In December, she borrowed $10.5 million more from the same firm. As collateral, among other items, she used town houses she owns in Greenwich Village, a country house, and something else: the rights to all of her photographs."

USA Today on Mike Penner/Christine Daniels' transgender regret: "It's unfortunate and it's relatively uncommon but certainly not unheard of. The simplest way to think about it is being trans is something that never goes away. ... There's just a fairly constant social pressure to just go back. You don't have to be a genius to understand that society doesn't really accept this."

Empathy fat: Model/trainer hottie eats for his clients.

Colorado same-sex partner benefits bill clears Senate 22-12 despite hideous comments from homophobe state senator Scott Renfroe.

Obama's changing health care plan: "The budget -- and I was cautioned that the wording 'is changing hourly' -- will direct Congress to "aim for universality." That is a bolder goal than simple affordability, which can be achieved, at least in theory, through subsidies. Universality means everyone has coverage, not just the ability to access it. And that requires a mechanism to ensure that they seek it.

Protestors continue to harass Portland Mayor Sam Adams.

Inequality defied in New York.

San Francisco Chronicle in danger of closing: "If it can't reduce expenses dramatically within the next few weeks, the Hearst Corp. said it will close or sell the Chronicle, northern California's largest newspaper with a paid weekday circulation of 339,430. Hearst didn't specify a savings target nor a deadline for wringing out the expenses. A Hearst spokesman didn't immediately respond to messages Tuesday. But management made it clear that the cost-cutting will require a significant number of layoffs."

Hedi Slimane tackles Courtney Love.

Bull shark hooked, freed in Sydney Harbor.

GOP poll on domestic partnerships in New Mexico misstates facts: "The poll, commissioned by the state GOP, found that more New Mexicans were in favor of domestic partnerships (47 percent) than opposed (42 percent). But that support fell when individuals were asked a question that erroneously equated domestic partnerships with same-sex marriage, with 52 percent opposing domestic partnerships compared to 42 percent supporting it. That latter poll question specifically misstated how same-sex marriage became state law in two other states, judging from a handout given to reporters."

Phoenix is offering their latest single "1901" as a free download on their website.

Ciara - Justin Timberlake "Love Sex Magic" track leaks.

Haus of GaGa: Lady GaGa launches iPhone app.

Hugo Chavez record on gay rights lauded by gay leader despite minimal advances in 10 years: "On Feb. 12, Heisler Vaamonde, a long-time LGBT-rights activist known for his allegiance to the Chávez regime, read a prepared statement in front of reporters expressing the Bloc's strong support for the referendum as he argued that equality for gays and lesbians could only be achieved through the Chavista revolution. As he spoke, he was flanked by ten other members of the organization, who wore t-shirts with an image of Chávez and caps emblazoned with a red star."

Kathy Griffin scores $2 million memoir deal.

Largest Presbyterian church in Arkansas elects gay deacon: "The largest Presbyterian Church in the state has elected a gay deacon. This comes just a day after the Presbytery of Arkansas votes to allow gays and lesbians to be ordained ministers, elders, and deacons. The Presbyterian denomination nationally, changed the interpretation of the constitution last June."

Australian Christian group says gays using children as "trophies": "The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) told the Standing Committee of Law and Justice's inquiry into adoption by same sex couples that children should ideally be raised by a mother and father...The move to legalise adoption by same-sex couples was ideologically driven by gay activists, Mr Shelton said. 'Not content with having discrimination removed, (they) are now pursuing symbolic gains and holding up children as trophies for their own agenda,' he said."

News: Michael Phelps, Marijuana, Sean Penn, Lindsay Lohan, Jai Ho

Florida Rep. Bob Allen, who was convicted of soliciting sex from a police officer in 2007, has given up trying to appeal his case: "While he's maintained his innocence and is confident of his innocence, there comes a point where you just have to move on with your life, and I think that's where he's at."

Family, friends and activists hold vigil on anniversary of murder of transgender Fort Lauderdale teen Simmie Williams. Mother: "I was hoping that I would have heard something by now, but not yet. I won't have peace until his killer is caught."

Lindsay Lohan offers a jittery update on her life, plus a gaunt photo shoot by Hedi Slimane.

New York Governor Paterson bringing back openly gay chief advisor: "And he has announced that he would bring back Charles J. O’Byrne, his former chief aide who resigned amid a tax scandal, to serve as a top political adviser. It is a potentially risky move, given that the governor will be seeking tax increases this spring, but it might help with the disarray that has plagued his inner circle."

Elton John Oscar party raises $4 million.

Penn jabs Madonna over Jesus Luz: "Another kid, already?"

Sean Penn opts out of Milk post-Oscar bash: "Not every celebrity completed his Oscar-party rounds. Saturday night, Best Actor winner Sean Penn - who neglected to thank his long-suffering wife in his acceptance speech - ditched Focus Features' bash for "Milk" at BLT Steak on Sunset Boulevard. 'It was the film producers' party for their own movie and Sean didn't show up,' said our astonished source." 

Chace Crawford and Ed Westwick share a ball.

California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano introduces bill to legalize marijuana in California, would put pot on same footing as alcohol.

UK Evangelical Christian groups (Accepting Evangelicals, Courage, the Network of Baptists Affirming Lesbian and Gay Christians, the Evangelical Fellowship for Lesbian & Gay Christians, and the Christian think-tank Ekklesia) call on fellow Evangelicals to rethink attitudes toward gays following condemnation of Westboro Baptist Church outrage: "We would now call upon these groups to reflect on their own attitudes and prayerfully consider what their 'hate the sin, love the sinner' teaching does to the minds and souls of faithful Christians who are gay.

1,000 mourn owner of gay bar in Schenectady, NY.

MUSTO: NYC movie theater responds to gay bashing claims.

Pussycat Dolls get their claws into Slumdog Millionaire best song "Jai Ho".

Kelloggs' knee-jerk reaction to Michael Phelps bong photo cost it.

Michigan court recognizes adoption by Illinois gay couple: "The court ruled 2-1 that the U.S. Constitution requires state courts to recognize Diane Giancaspro and Lisa Congleton as adoptive parents. It reversed a trial judge who said Michigan’s 2004 voter-approved gay marriage ban kept her from enforcing the women’s parental rights."

Meet the gay teen on the upcoming Fame remake.

Gay Pride organizers in Chiang Mai, Thailand, call off second annual parade after taunts from protestors: "According to the Thai Nation newspaper, the protesters launched verbal attacks through a megaphone saying the event tarnished the city's reputation. They also reacted angrily to remarks made by the organisers that the 'Rak Chiang Mai 51' group was acting like thugs. Fearing violence, the organisers Mplus, Chiang Mai's largest HIV/AIDS group, called the march which was to start from Buddha-sathan through Night Bazaar before ending at the Tawan Trendy Mall. The confrontation reportedly lasted an hour before the organisers agreed to dismantle the stage and cancel the activities in the area. The report noted that 150 policemen had been mobilised for the parade."

Hedi Slimane Photographs Sons of Clash Musician for Prada

Designer/photographer Hedi Slimane is working for Prada on their 2009 Spring men's wear campaign.

Via WWD: "This is the first time Slimane has worked with Prada on such a project. Slimane, who resumed his photography career following his exit from Dior last year, took black and white portraits of Louis and Claude Simonon, sons of Paul and Tricia Simonon, the bass player and manager of Punk band The Clash. In a statement, Prada said the brothers were photographed 'in moments of reflection and introspection. It is a symbolic yet understated approach to desire in men’s wear; a new classicism with a rebel edge.' The Simonons are still in school in England and neither have previously modeled before or worked with Slimane. The artist has strong ties to the music world and published a photography book entitled, 'Rock Diary,' earlier this year."

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VMan Goes Quarterly, Flaunts New Faces [tr]
Josh Beech and Hedi Slimane Do Vogue Hommes International [tr]
Josh Beech by Hedi Slimane for Vogue Hommes International [tr]
Dior 2006: Hedi Slimane Finds a Muse [tr]

Scissor Sister Jake Shears to Cover New Issue of Butt

The next issue of Butt (which I've posted about here before), the quarterly gay journal which is equal parts raunch and literary interviews, will feature Jake Shears hanging out with designer/photographer Hedi Slimane.

One more shot AFTER THE JUMP...