Just the thought of a summer issue put us in full-on beach mode -- daydreams of far-off places, sandy toes and tropical drinks. To that end, a truckload of black volcanic sand was hauled in, along with a passel of plush beach blankets, chaise lounges and striped umbrellas, for our cover shoot with the incomparable Marion Cotillard, who brought a touch of the French Riviera to Canal Street one day in early May. The Oscar-winning La Vie en Rose star is certainly on a whirlwind journey of her own, as she ascends from respected actress to international movie star.

A jazzy, French auteur-inspired record named Preliminaires from the Godfather of Punk? Don’t worry, stooges, Iggy Pop hasn’t settled down just yet. Here, the Rock Iguana revisits his lust for strife while getting a few things off his (shirtless) chest. Presenting 10 things Iggy Pop hates:

Dive headfirst into this summer's splashiest designs. Go for the wet look. See full gallery. Photography by Mike Rosenthal. Styling by Johnny Wujek.

Shawn Mortensen with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

When word came that photographer and BlackBook contributor Shawn Mortensen had passed away, our last issue had just come in from the printer. In it was a portfolio of Shawn’s most recent work, including some of the most fabulous images we’d ever seen of the Gossip’s Beth Ditto and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and a soulful moment with Clive Barker in his studio. It was an art issue, and Shawn’s images were both celebrations of the wild forms of self-expression from these creative types and works of art in their own right. Shawn wasn’t the kind of guy to sit still, and his lust for life came through in his subjects. He had an uncanny way of working with people, who often became more like collaborators in his photos, ignited by his passion.

New York nightlife sensation and David LaChapelle muse Amanda Lepore tipples some whimsical (and surprisingly healthy) concoctions from Chinatown’s exotic Apothéke den, adding new favorites to her already worldly palate.

Eight nationalities of models showcase eight new pairs of shades. See full gallery. Photography by Angela Hau. Styling by Elizabeth Stauber.

French alt-rockers Phoenix embarked on a whirlwind globetrotting journey, while lead singer Thomas Mars documented for BlackBook their jet-setting tour from their hometown in Versailles to New York City to Germany to their new home base in Paris.

When he’s not playing sold-out shows on both sides of the pond, Patrick Wolf hangs his hat in London’s West End. Here, the avant-garde musician shows us where he lands when he’s feeling bookish, thirsty and, yes, hungry.

In this month’s ancient epic, Year One, actor-writer David Cross sets off on a hilarious journey with hunter-gatherers Jack Black and Michael Cera. Here, the Emmy winner maps out his own Cross-country mix. Play that Fünke music, white boy.

Cynic or savant, director Kathryn Bigelow understands what other filmmakers who have tackled the delicate subject matter of the Iraq war have not: action! By now, it’s apparent that American audiences have scant appetite for the heavy-handed approach to combat drama, as exemplified by Kimberly Peirce’s underperforming Stop-Loss. The Hurt Locker, Bigelow’s swift and jittery boots-on-the-ground thriller, bucks the sanctimonious trend for slow-motion explosions. It’s the least politicized film about the war yet.