Vogue's September 2012 Issue Goes Back to School with Edith Wharton and Natalia Vodianova

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A lot of hubbub has surrounded the arrival of Vogue's September issue (did you hear? It's the largest ever and Lady Gaga is on the cover). But the best reason for picking up the mag at your local newsstand might be the above photo spread that recreates moments from Edith Wharton's life in full Edwardian period dress.

For the non-English majors out there, here's some American Lit 101: Wharton is probably best known for penning Age of Innocence (marriage and scandal happen to rich people in New York in the late-19th century), then won the Pulitzer Prize for it. She counted Henry James, Sinclair Lewis, Jean Cocteau, and Theodore Roosevelt as friends and met F. Scott Fitzgerald that one time. "Keeping up with the Joneses" is said to refer to her father's family, so you can expect Vogue to bring it in the styling department.

Natalia Vodianova plays Wharton and she's surrounded by a bevy of real-life actors and authors, including Jeffrey Eugenides, Elijah Wood, Jack Huston, Mamie Gummer, Junot Diaz, and Juno Temple playing the late author's inner circle of friends and employees.

And authenticity bonus: Annie Leibovitz shot the spread at The Mount, the Wharton's storied home in Lenox, Massachusett. Basically, Downton Abbey has got nothing on this photo spread.

Head to Ciao Domenica to see the rest.

· Edith Wharton in Vogue Magazine [Ciao Domenica]
· Lady Gaga's September Vogue Cover Has Finally Landed [Racked]