Glamour

>> Only seven of the scores of titles nominated for National Magazine Awards this year are dedicated to fashion. Many deserve wins, but because some are competing against each other, not all of them are going home with trophies.

Interview, the fashion and culture monthly founded by Andy Warhol in 1969, was nominated for the first time in 19 years. It's up against GQ for a general design award, and it's competing against both GQ and Vogue for a general photography award. Interview editorial director Fabien Baron told WWD, "I've never been the type for awards but it's great for the magazine and great for our staff."

W was nominated for the feature photography in its August 2011 cover story about Tilda Swinton, and so too was Vogue for its March photo story starring Amber Valletta (at left) called "Lady Be Good." Meanwhile, Glamour was nominated for the personal service award for its June feature story titled "The Secret That's Killing Four Women a Day." Esquire was nominated for its special section "Man at His Best," and its sister magazine Marie Claire was nominated for its public interest feature "The Big Business of Breast Cancer."

The National Magazine Awards will be presented in New York City on May 3, but for now take a look at some of the work that got these fashion magazines recognized.

Lauren Conrad's editorial for Glamour's May issue left us with one thought: we want everything she's wearing. The reality star turned book author and fashion designer lights up the pages of the magazine's latest issue with the prettiest Spring skirts, crop tops, and swimwear. Equal parts pinup girl and sweetheart, it's the stuff we'd live in from Spring to Summer — and just the thing to perfect our ladylike look. With that in mind, we're out to re-create the whole shoot. Think Lauren's never looked better? Then click on to shop the inspiration and channel the same sweet and sexy allure.

May magazine issues are out, and Lauren Conrad is Glamour's latest cover girl, while Claire Danes is all over ASOS Magazine's Spring issue. For her Malibu shoot, Lauren donned a bevy of adorable pieces, one of them being a Paper Crown frock with wedge espadrilles from her own Kohl's line. Then at the Chateau Marmont spread, Claire sported a rad palm-tree top with tie-dye jeggings for an edgier feel. Step inside to get a closer look at the May cover beauties and to shop their exact pieces for your Spring wardrobe.

Lauren Conrad went topless in Malibu to shoot the cover of Glamour's May issue, which hits newsstands April 10. She's been making the press rounds ahead of today's release of her latest novel, The Fame Game, including a promotional stop on The Wendy Williams Show just yesterday. Lauren opened up about dating on the talk show, and also touched on the subject inside the publication. She even shared a few secrets from the set of The Hills and defended her busy work schedule. Here's more from Lauren Conrad in Glamour:

• On people thinking she's famous for nothing: "It was very frustrating because I almost wanted to send critics my weekly schedule and say, 'This is my "nothing."' I would film all day, and then I had several other businesses on the side: In the last season I was running a clothing line and writing a novel. I work really, really hard."
• On what happened behind the scenes on The Hills: "During shooting, the producers would send us quick text messages telling us what to talk about. They couldn't walk through the shot, so they'd just text me, like, 'Say something quick about this story line.' That's why we were always checking our phones!"
• On dating: "I wish I dated as much as people thought I did! It's really funny because almost everyone that I'm reportedly 'dating' is a friend of mine. About half my friends are guys, and I've always gotten along really well with guys. You just have to laugh at it."

Ian Somerhalder is featured in April's Glamour, putting his male modeling skills to use for the glossy's "Hot Night In" spread. The latest installment of the magazine features The Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence on the cover, but inside, Ian makes the most of his own moment in the spotlight. The Vampire Diaries actor cozies up with a model in bed, makes out with a mannequin, and reveals a sillier side in the pages of the publication. In the accompanying interview, he talks about why he believes in being a nice guy versus a macho man, his Ian Somerhalder Foundation — which supports green efforts — and the most romantic and spontaneous date he's ever devised. He didn't mention his costar and real-life girlfriend, Nina Dobrev, by name when sharing the latter story, but it sounds like she may have been the lucky lady who joined him for the impressive outing. Here are highlights from Ian's interview:

• On once taking a date for lunch in Paris: "Flying across the ocean for one meal was pretty awesome . . . It paid off!"
• On his approach to women: "If you are respectful and nice and charming to a woman, it's a better approach. And I don't know what women want. No one knows what women want!"
• On his passion for the environment: "Kids are meeting in coffee shops and basements figuring out what's unsustainable in their communities. That's the future."

Jennifer Lawrence covers Glamour's new April 2012 edition, decked out in a top by Elie Tahari, Lucky jeans, and a Jennifer Meyer bracelet. She tops the magazine's list of the hottest actresses of 2012, a ranking that also includes starlets like Emma Stone, Rooney Mara, and Adele. Jennifer has begun her mega press tour on behalf of The Hunger Games, which is out in the US on March 23. She opened up about how she knew from the beginning that the role of Katniss Everdeen would change her life, which has already been altered by the money and acclaim she's received thus far. Jennifer told Glamour:

• On taking on the role of Katniss: "I gave myself three days. I knew from reading the books that I loved The Hunger Games. I just didn't know if it was worth changing my life for. I’m at a peaceful place right now. The people who used to ignore me at parties, now they're nice to me and kissing my ass. But nobody's staked outside my house. I wanted to make sure that when I said yes, I wouldn't regret it. And I don't regret it. I would have said no because I was scared, and then I would have been that bitter actress telling my grandkids, 'I'm the one that turned it down.'"
• On adjusting to her new life: "Just recently I started letting myself eat things from the minibar. When we were kids, we would never open the minibar. A $6 Snickers bar? But the other day I was in a hotel and I was staring at a Snickers bar, and I finally just ate it. Then it was like something in me snapped. I opened all these drinks. I thought: I can do it now. Now I’m all grown-up. I can eat things from the minibar."
• On being a public person: "In some ways, it's a hard life, but it's a great professional life. I'm doing what I love, and then I get months and months of rest. I have a lot of money for a 21-year-old. I can't stand it when actors complain."

Rachel McAdams struck an adorable pose, decked out in a pink Mavi shirt and Dolce & Gabbana shorts, for the cover of Glamour's February 2012 issue. She's fronting the magazine to chat up her new movie, The Vow, and her costar Channing Tatum. He's the latest in a long line of hotties with whom she's shared the screen. Two of her leading men, Ryan Gosling and Michael Sheen, have become her real-life companions as well. Nonetheless, Rachel doesn't advocate meeting a boyfriend on set. She also spoke about how ladies love Ryan and her early start as an employee at McDonald's. Rachel told Glamour:

• On dating her costars: "A set may seem like a good place for romance, but I don't think it's very conducive; it's too distracting. Every relationship I've had with a coworker has come after the fact, because you wind up actually spending a lot of time with those people promoting the movie."
• On an early job at McDonald's: "It was a great place to work, but I had a little bit of an OCD thing with hand washing and just didn't have time. They were like, 'Hey, the drive-through's backing up. Stop washing your hands!' I was not a great employee; I broke the orange juice machine one day."
• On learning that her ex Ryan Gosling is some sort of a feminist icon: "Feminist icon? Wow! Is that real? . . . Oh my God, that's great."

NYC's Carnegie Hall played host to the 2011 Glamour Women of the Year awards last night. A Versace-clad Jennifer Lopez stole the show on the red carpet. She was on hand to accept the magazine's All-Star honor, which was presented to her by pal Donatella Versace. Jessica Alba wore Tory Burch to escort the designer, and Fashion Force winner, to the show. Diva Next Door-winner Lea Michele sparkled down the press line, and Emma Stone picked a loose gown to pose for photos.

We caught a moment with Queen of the Night winner Chelsea Handler, who was in a skin-tight Stella McCartney jumpsuit for the occasion. Speaking about why her program has succeeded while many other women haven't been able to break ground in the traditionally male-dominated arena of late-night shows, Chelsea said she believes it's due to her honesty. She didn't stay serious for long, though, since she then admitted that her female comedy icon is David Hasselhoff. Tory Burch told us she's thankful for the support of her celebrity fans and expects to sell quite a few of the sequined minis that Jessica Alba sported!

Jennifer Lopez wore a Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony red bustier for the cover of the December 2011 Glamour. It's the magazine's annual Women of the Year issue, which will be on newsstands November 8. Jennifer, who's been busy lately chatting up her line for Kohl's, spoke with Glamour about her personal style. Jennifer Lopez's rumored romance with Bradley Cooper didn't come up, but she did dish about what she will need to get another relationship off the ground. Jennifer said:

• On her next relationship: "I think to give something a chance, to really get to know somebody, you want to do it out of the public eye. You know the media — they want to rush everything."
• On her style: "The things I liked when I was, like, 16 and in the Bronx — jeans, cut-up T-shirts — I still like. But I’ve been exposed to so much now from traveling the world and seeing couture clothes. I used all of that when I created my new line for Kohl’s. My style has come from everything, from where I started to where I am today."
• On what she's learned about relationships: "I think I’ve finally learned the biggest lesson of all. You’ve got to love yourself first. You’ve got to be OK on your own before you can be OK with somebody else. You’ve got to value yourself and know that you’re worth everything. And until you value yourself enough and love yourself enough to know that, you can’t really have a healthy relationship."