DON AND BETTY’S PARADISE LOST | 128
AMC’s hit show Mad Men is more than a time warp into the heady early 1960s—it’s a journey into creator Matthew Weiner’s subconscious, from which Don and Betty Draper (Jon Hamm and January Jones) emerged years ago. As the new season begins, Bruce Handy reports on how they’ve made advertising, daytime drinking, and even marital dysfunction cool again. Photographs by Annie Leibovitz.

THE NEW ASTOR COURT | 144
The trial of Brooke Astor’s son, Anthony Marshall, for allegedly defrauding the late philanthropist, has featured media hordes and a parade of high-society witnesses. Astor biographer Meryl Gordon talks to most of the key players and finds an explosive new document that changes the bottom line.

THE BOY WHO WOULD BE KING | 152
The metamorphosis of Michael Jackson from apple-cheeked 10-year-old to ghostly recluse remains one of the most intriguing stories in entertainment history. Unearthing tapes and notes of her many conversations with Jackson between 1972 and 1989, Lisa Robinson reveals the budding King of Pop to have been funny, curious, and fatefully troubled. Photographs by Annie Leibovitz.

BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE, UGLY CHOICES | 162
Even with the spotlight following Farrah Fawcett to her death, whole chapters of her life remain dark. Leslie Bennetts re-traces the star’s journey, hearing from Ryan O’Neal about the infidelity, the insecurity, and the love that survived it all. 

MONDO CAVALLI | 172
At Roberto Cavalli’s Edenic Florence estate, Mark Seal learns the prime motivation behind the illustrious designer’s empire: Ferraris, fun, and girls.

SHE’S THE RAGE IN HARLEM| 180
In James Cameron’s long-awaited space epic, Avatar, Star Trek’s Zoë Saldana keeps going where no woman has gone before. Krista Smith spotlights the star, who channels the glamour of the Harlem Renaissance for photographer Michael Roberts.   

TOUJOURS COUTURE| 188
When Yves Saint Laurent died, many heard the bell toll for haute couture. But marveling at high fashion’s power through the ages, and speaking with such current masters as Karl Lagerfeld and John Galliano, Amy Fine Collins sees it hanging on by more than a thread. 


 Fanfair

30 DAYS IN THE LIFE OF THE CULTURE | 71

Captivating coed: Diana Mellon’s life after Yale | 71

The Cultural Divide | 72

Modern marvels: cool new gadgets to suit every style | 74

Lisa Robinson’s Hot Tracks | 75

Aaron Gell documents Adam Yauch’s foray into film; Night-Table Reading; Bruce Handy sits front-row for The September Issue | 76

Private Lives—design darling Katy Rodriguez | 78

My Stuff—Ivanka Trump; Bob Colacello joins the Beauchamp Club | 80

Fall fashion’s finishing touches | 82

Hot Looks; seasonal scents from fashion favorites | 83

Vanities

THE WINNICK TICKET | 85

“Gwyneth Paltrow” shares her secrets of happiness with Craig Brown; Andrew Hearst previews magazine mergers we might soon see | 86

George Wayne asks Michael Kors whether he is a top or a bottom | 87


Columns

MOURNING WITH LARRY | 90
Celebrities have been dropping like flies this summer—and Larry King’s CNN studio has been the place to grieve. James Wolcott critiques the graveside manner of America’s prime-time mourner in chief. Illustration by André Carrilho.

ALL BROADS LEAD TO ROME | 94
Silvio Berlusconi built his media empire, and then his political career, by giving Italians what they wanted: sex, entertainment, and a dab of autocracy. But as the prime minister faces his stickiest scandal yet, Michael Wolff wonders whether his act may be getting stale.
Photo illustration by Darrow.

THE QUEEN OF COZY COOL | 100
Having launched her handbag empire at 18, Anya Hindmarch is now giving Britain’s Conservative Party a makeover, and London a pre-Olympics face-lift—while raising a family, no less. Kate Reardon tries to keep up.

NORTH KOREA’S DOLLAR STORE | 104
How does Kim Jong Il pay for his missiles? In an excerpt from an exclusive VF.com report, David Rose investigates the criminal, secretive North Korean agency known as Office 39, which, law enforcement agents believe, makes nearly undetectable counterfeit U.S. currency.

RUTH’S WORLD: THE MADOFF CHRONICLES, PART IV | 106
From humble roots in Queens, Ruth Madoff rose to become the stereotypical entitled Upper East Side wife—bossy, image-obsessed, and trapped in her husband’s shadow. Asking what she knew of Bernie’s crimes, Mark Seal lays bare Ruth’s ultra-privileged former life and her utterly miserable current one. Photograph by Stephen Wilkes.

OUT TO LUNCH: OSCAR DE LA RENTA | 116
Over a caprese salad at his Garment District atelier, Oscar de la Renta explains the difference between fashion and style to John Heilpern.

THE 70TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL BEST-DRESSED POLL | 118
Fashion has always had its politics, but this year’s honorees include Barack and Michelle Obama, Michael Bloomberg and Diana Taylor, and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy (sorry, Monsieur le Président). Plus, the 2009 style leadership gives up its favorite bargain-hunting spots.

Et Cetera  

EDITOR’S LETTER | 34

CONTRIBUTORS | 38

LETTERS Miss Porter’s Code | 48

FAIRGROUND | 60

CREDITS | 213

PROUST QUESTIONNAIRE Garrison Keillor | 216