The upcoming July issue of Vogue Italia – or Italian Vogue – will exclusively feature black models. The magazine's editor, Franca Sozzani, spoke about the upcoming issue at length:

"This idea came about as a reaction to the models of today," Sozzani said. "I go to a fashion show and every girl is blond and blue-eyed and they all walk the same and look the same." He continued: I thought we needed to break away from this type of thing," she said. "There are so many beautiful black women not being used."

Sozzani also expressed that the time seemed optimal for an all-black issue, given the fact that Barack Obama is to be the first black nominee for president of the United States.

The all-black issue of Vogue Italia will drop next week and will include actors, models and singers. Among the well-known luminaries to be showcased will be Naomi Campbell, Iman, Tina Turner and Jody Watley.

Aria salutes Vogue Italia for breaking new ground!

Categories: Vogue; Vogue Magazine; Italian Vogue; Vogue Italia; Iman;  Naomi Campbell; Tina Turner; Jody Watley

Tim Russert, host of NBC's Meet the Press, died today. According to the network, Russert collapsed while recording voiceovers for Sunday's edition of the show; he was taken to Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, where he was pronounced dead. He was 58.

Hailed as one of the leading journalists in political journalism, Russert took the reins at Meet the Press in December of 1991. 'Press – now in its 60th year – is the longest-running program in the history of television. Tim was also NBC News' Washington bureau chief and a vice president of NBC News.

Russert was a recipient of numerous awards for his contributions to broadcast journalism, among them the Veterans of Foreign Wars News Media Award, the shared honor of Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence in Television Journalism, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society Journalism Award, and – most significantly – the Joan S. Barone Award, and the Annenberg Center's Walter Cronkite Award. Also, Tim was awarded an Emmy in 2005 for his coverage for the funeral of Pres. Ronald Reagan.

In addition to his distinguished work as a television journalist, Tim Russert was also a noted author, and had penned two books – the best-selling biography Big Russ and Me, and Wisdom of Our Fathers

Tim Russert is survived by his wife, pop culture reporter Maureen Orth, and their son Luke. His calming presence in the hustle-'n-go world of political coverage will be sorely missed.

Categories: Tim Russert; NBC News; Meet the Press