AMAZING ANNIE

The Brilliant Annie Leibovitz...

I love the dichotomy of both elegance and strength in Leibovitz's work. When I saw this spread in Vogue I was amazed by the beauty of the set, the ethereal nature of the photography, and the cleverness of Vogue's creative director, Grace Coddington. Vogue ever ceases to amaze me. Leibovitz's work is perfection.

December 2009 issue

Inspired by the Metropolitan Opera's production of Hansel and Gretel, a fashion fairy tale of white frocks unfolds.

I'm Famished Brother and sister are home alone with not a morsel to eat. In Vogue's interpretation of the Met's production, which opens December 14, Hansel and Gretel are played by actor Andrew Garfield and model Lily Cole.

Far From Home They venture out to hunt for wild strawberries in the woods, where Gretel's lily-white frock shines against the dark foliage of the Tree-men. Before long, though, they're hopelessly lost.

Golden Slumber The Sandman (played here by Sasha Cooke, who has appeared in the Met's production) sprinkles magic dust onto the frightened children, who fall into a deep sleep and dream about a banquet served by a fish maître d'.

Wicked The two discover a house in the forest, only to find it occupied by an old witch (portrayed here by Lady Gaga). Gretel looks sweet enough to eat in a poufy confection. But it's Hansel the evil one wants to fatten up and feast on.

Feed the Flames Before the witch can cook Hansel and Gretel—whoosh—they push her into the oven and shut the door.

The Witch Is Dead! The children (here, the Junior Choristers of Grace Church in New York City) baked into gingerbread by the hag come back to life.

I would LOVE to be photographed by Leibovitz... hey, a girl can dream!

To dreams,

Elizabeth