I was not supposed to meet Jared Leto.

I wasn't supposed to be in that picture. I wasn't supposed to be charmed by him or his band, who I'd never listened to before this. I definitely hadn't intended on spending a day with the three of them in downtown New York, followed by paparazzi, rabid teenage fans, and a procession of managers, publicists, and stylists, for a feature to go in our November issue. And I definitely didn't set out to think -- or write -- any of the following things about Jared Leto, the actor, the rock star, the heartthrob, the celebrity. In my life, Jared Leto had existed in exactly the context I needed him to, and for whatever it's worth, I think it's safe to assume (or will be after this), vice versa. I was fine with it, and it didn't need to change.

But it did.

And it started, like so many stories, with a problem. And the problem was that my editors fucked me out of a day-trip to Philly.

Apparently plaid is big with Kings of Leon fans ... specifically those residing in or near Las Vegas. At a recent show in Sin City, a writer for the Las Vegas Sun observed that KOL fans not only "love to drink." They "love to dress in plaid," as well. And they're not the only ones.

It seems the Louis Vuitton bunny ears Madonna sported to the Met Gala and in the latest series of Louis Vuitton ads aren't as drastic a sartorial statement as one might have originally thought. In fact, even H&M seems to be embracing the animal-inspired accessory in its latest ad campaign. That, or paying homage to Lady Gaga's iconic hair bow. Shot by Terry Richardson and starring Sasha Pivovarova (in a set-up far more demure than what Richardson has been working on for the Pirelli calendar), the mega-retailer's latest campaign includes Pivovarova with a bow on the top of her head.

Photographer and provocateur Terry Richardson has been hard at work on Pirelli's legendary calendar, as I noted not so long ago when images from the typically top-secret shoot leaked. Well, now there's even more Richardson & co. flesh to appreciate thanks to a new NSFW video that includes footage of Richardson at work, interviews with the photographer and a few models (although the Italian voiceover makes them nearly impossible to comprehend) and, of course, lots of T&A. The final moments of the video are its finest, when Richardson can be seen standing on a beach in Brazil, arm in arm with no less than a dozen gorgeous topless models. After the jump, click play at your own risk.

Just last month a single photo surfaced of photographer Terry Richardson hard at work on the new Pirelli calendar (the annual art-meets-fashion almanac with unparalleled cult cachet). But, yesterday, the floodgates of on-set photos opened, pouring out half-a-dozen flesh-filled images from the infamous provocateur. As for any news learned from the super-secret shoot at the Wilbert Das-designed UXUA Casa Hotel in Trancoso, Brazil: models include the likes of Miranda Kerr, Daisy Lowe, Catherine McNeil, Lily Cole, and Eniko Mihalik (in addition to Ana Beatriz Barros, Gracie Carvalho, and Georgina Stojiljkovic, whose involvement was already known). Hypebeast has the full spread of NSFW images (i.e. a topless model pouring milk on herself, while another half-naked mannequin poses with a rooster), a number of which are featured here after the jump.

Word leaked a few months ago that Terry Richardson is the fashion photographer who’ll have the honor of shooting Pirelli’s calendar for 2010. Now comes news that Richardson has set up shop in Trancoso, Bahia, Brazil, and is snapping mannequins that include Ana Beatriz Barros, Gracie Carvalho, Georgina Stojiljkovic and (maybe) Catherine McNeil. The much-anticipated almanac, which debuted in 1964, isn’t available for purchase; rather it’s gifted to a minute group of tastemakers and Pirelli clients of choice. But, given the fact that the calendar continually showcases top talents—past photogs range from Richard Avedon and Herb Ritts, to Inez and Vinoodh and Mert and Marcus, while mannequins have included everyone from Naomi, Gisele and Kate to Sophia Loren—Pirelli’s calendars are as feverishly coveted as high-end art tomes or exhibition catalogs. (NSFW image after jump.)

Not that he wasn't everywhere before, but shooting Gossip Girl stars Blake Lively and Leighton Meester for the cover of Rolling Stone has to represent some kind of high-tide moment for ubiquitous photographer Terry Richardson. We thought we'd seen the best of him with the Kermit/Supreme shoot, but the combo of Rolling Stone and the universe-owning Gossip Girl makes for lovely sexmagic, and it only sports a safe infusion of Richardson's usual tawdry inclinations. For example, the photo above should make the entire hetero male 14-30 demographic retreat into the fetal position.

● LA-based artist Ben Tegal has created a family portrait of Lindsay Lohan and Sam Ronson after Grant Wood's American Gothic painting. Ronson is the pitchfork (and headphone-wearing) husband, while Lohan is her Prairie-dress-wearing wife. [E!]
● Kate Moss lets it all hang out (of her blazer) in Paris. NSFW. [Egotastic]
● Michael Jackson is prepping for his "comeback" tour in London by getting even more plastic surgery. No word on what he’s having done, but unless it makes his face look like it did in 1985, it’s not going to help. [JAM]

For avid French Vogue readers, December is a particularly good month. It’s the one issue a year when guest editors -- whom in the past have included Kate Moss (in the midst of a cocaine scandal, no less) and Charlotte Gainsbourg -- sub for la maitresse de la mode Carine Roitfeld and lend their personal touch to everything form subject matter to fashion spreads. And while the recent announcement that Princess Stephanie of Monaco will guest-edit this year’s December/January Vogue Paris issue was more than enough to warrant my trip to the newsstands November 28, now there’s another reason, though it's très risqué.