Detail Cindy Sherman Self-Portrait

Chameleon artist Cindy Sherman, 55, is featured in Vogue magazine’s August, 2009 “The Age Issue.” She is the poster-child for aging   gracefully into the 50s, and admits she has quit kickboxing and given Botox a whirl.

The article is illustrated by a striking Sherman self-portrait of the slender blond artist bundled in a creamy Narciso Rodriguez ball gown, standing before a gumdrop green backdrop. She is obscured by cameras, lights and tripod legs. A dented mannequin head bobs beside Sherman’s own head, underscoring artifice and reality.

Vogue’s art scribe Dodie Kazanjian visits Sherman in her downtown duplex penthouse. Sherman is interviewed with her green pet macaw – named Frieda—perched on her shoulder.

The pad features two outdoor gardens.  Fashion designer Todd Oldham is assisting with the décor, according to Kazanjian. Sherman has hung her apartment with artworks by Martin Kippenberger and Dana Schutz, among others.

I love Dodie for winding up in Sherman’s closet. “Her shoes, mostly sky-high platforms, fill at least 20 floor to ceiling shelves in two other closets,” she reports.

Sherman also dishes to Vogue about her two-and-a-half year romance with musician David Byrne. She reveals she has accompanied him on tour, sleeping on the bus. Inspired by her Byrne, Sherman acquired a baby grand Steinway for her living room. Byrne’s other big influence: he convinced her to convert to digital photography–revealing that Sherman remained a 35 mm faithful until recently.  Byrne, however, doesn’t approve of the Botox.

Other Vogue outtakes:

Yvonne Force Lounging in Long Island for Vogue

Coverage of Art Production Fund co-founder Yvonne Force Villareal and artist husband Leo Villareal’s pizza party for their six-year old son Quattro, held at their Orient, Long Island cottage. Here is William Norwich on Yvonne’s summer attire: “Yvonne is famously off-duty when she is at home here, wearing old evening gowns like caftans, letting her hair go naturally curly by mid-August…”

Prada Does William Morris

Finally, an art/fashion collision spotted in Miuccia Prada’s resort collection, with patterns inspired by Arts & Crafts designer William Morris.