V magazine is an American fashion magazine published since 1999. The magazine is printed seasonally and highlights trends in fashion, film music and art. A men's fashion quarterly entitled VMAN started as an offshoot in 2003.

History[link]

V magazine was launched in September 1999 as the "younger sibling" publication to the limited-edition quarterly Visionaire. If Visionaire was seen as more of an exclusive haute-couture book, V was going to be the vibrant, less formal, more accessible, ready-to-wear alternative. With limited numbers of magazines issued a year, V releases its issues based around the current seasons collection; Spring Preview, Fall Preview, Winter Preview and Summer Preview.^[1] The magazine has a readership of 315,000 as of 2010.^[2]

V is edited by Stephen Gan and features new American fashion displayed through shoots and editorials focusing more specifically on art, film, music and fashion.^[3] V has been noted for its inventive and progressive styling, as well as its reportage of cultural figures and global youth culture. Past contributors have included Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, Hedi Slimane, Mario Testino, Mario Sorrenti, and Karl Lagerfeld. Interview subjects have included Joan Didion, Salman Rushdie, Robert Altman, Brooke Shields, and Norman Mailer. Icons in fashion, film, music and art to grace the cover include Mariah Carey, Beyoncé Knowles, Naomi Campbell, Grace Jones, Brad Pitt, Britney Spears, Tyra Banks, Lady Gaga, David Bowie and Helmut Lang. ^[4] In 2005, 7L and Steidl published the book V Best: Five Years of V Magazine, chronicling the first five years of the publication. Included are popular and successful fashion articles, photos, interviews and more from the first five years of V. ^[5]

On the Cover[link]

Some of the big name celebrities that have been featured on the cover of V Magazine are: Gwen Stefani, Gwenyth Paltrow, Cameron Diaz, Lady Gaga, Justin Beiber, Britney Spears, Kesha, James Franco, Victoria Beckham, David Beckham, Natalie Portman, Dakota Fanning, Kirsten Dunst, Jennifer Connelly, Nicki Minaj, Kanye West, Orlando Bloom, Demi Moore, Beyoncé, Adriana Lima, Marc Jacobs, Salma Hayek, and more.

Criticisms[link]

The January 2010 issue of V magazine entitled “The Size Issue” featured a variety of plus sized models. This edition printed two different covers, one with plus sized “Precious” star Gabourey Sidibe, while the other featured the petite actress Dakota Fanning. One criticism of the issue argues that the magazines intentions were to juxtapose big and small as in a competition with one another. However, other’s embraced the magazines bold statement and commended V on its efforts to modernize the beauty standard.^[6]

Features[link]

In 2005, 7L and Steidl published the book V Best: Five Years of V Magazine, chronicling the first five years of the publication.^[7]

In the September 2008 issue of American Photo Magazine, V Magazine photographer Nick Knight was featured for the photo spread “Wildflowers” that he shot for the March 2008 issue of V.^[8]

Associated Technologies[link]

The V Magazine website consists of multiple different navigational links such as; blog, magazine, fashion, articles, photo and video. The website contains features from the current issue as well as extras and exclusive outtakes that did not get put into the final printing of the magazine. Other interactive technological features on V’s website include the magazines twitter stream[1], blog and Facebook page.[2]

[edit] VMAN magazine

VMAN magazine featuring mens' clothing is an offshoot of V magazine. Established in 2003, it is published quarterly by Visionaire Publishing, also responsible for V and Visionaire. VMAN promotes everyone from unknown up-and-comers to globally recognized celebrities. The magazines target audience caters to the modern, urbanized man interested in what's new in fashion, art, music, travel and culture.[3]

Notes[link]

External links[link]

• V magazine
• VMAN magazine
• V-Agency
• V magazine Facebook
• V magazine Twitter

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Paul Merson

Personal information
Full name	Paul Charles Merson
Date of birth	(1968-03-20) 20 March 1968 (age 44)
Place of birth	Harlesden, London, England
Height	5 ft 11.5 in (1.82 m)
Playing position	Midfielder Forward
Youth career
	Arsenal
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1985–1997	Arsenal	289	(78)
1987	→ Brentford (loan)	6	(0)
1997–1998	Middlesbrough	48	(12)
1998–2002	Aston Villa	101	(18)
2002–2003	Portsmouth	44	(12)
2003–2006	Walsall	68	(6)
2006	Tamworth	1	(0)
2012	Welshpool Town	1	(1)
Total		623	(127)
National team
1988–1990	England U21	4	(0)
1991–1998	England B	4	(3)
1991–1998	England	21	(3)
Teams managed
2004–2006	Walsall
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Paul Charles Merson (born March 20, 1968) is an English former professional footballer, manager and current sports television pundit. As a player he played as a forward who later in his career dropped into the midfield playmaker position in a career that lasted from 1985 until 2006.

He notably played in the Premier League for Arsenal, Middlesbrough and Aston Villa, as well as appearing in the Football League for Brentford and Portsmouth. He also played for Walsall where he spent two years as player-manager before finishing his career in non-league football with Tamworth. He briefly came out of retirement in 2012 for Welshpool Town where he played in a one-off game. Merson earnt 21 caps for England, scoring 3 times.

Club career[link]

Arsenal[link]

Born in Harlesden, North West London, Paul Merson started his career at Arsenal, joining the club as an apprentice in 1984. After a loan spell at Brentford, then under manager Frank McLintock, he made his debut for the Gunners on 22 November 1986 against Manchester City, and gradually established himself in George Graham's successful Arsenal side of the late 1980s. By the 1988-89 season he was a regular on the right wing, at the end of which Arsenal secured the First Division title with a last gasp Michael Thomas goal in the final game of the season against Liverpool. Merson scored ten times that season, made his debut for the England U21 side, and was voted PFA Young Player of the Year.

With Arsenal, Merson bagged another league championship in 1991, both the FA Cup and League Cup in 1993 (scoring equaliser in League Cup Final v Sheffield Wednesday) and the Cup Winners' Cup in 1994. He also made his debut for the full England side, in a friendly against Germany on 11 September 1991.

Paul Merson's career was put on the line in November 1994 when he admitted to being an alcoholic and cocaine addict.^[1] The Football Association arranged for Merson to undergo a three-month rehabilitation programme and he returned to the side in February 1995, just before the dismissal of George Graham as manager. Under caretaker manager Stewart Houston, Merson helped Arsenal reach the Cup Winners' Cup final for the second season in a row.

In 1995–96, Merson remained a regular first team player under Arsenal's new manager Bruce Rioch and continued to play regularly during the 1996–97 season following the appointment of Arsène Wenger. In a somewhat surprising move, at the end of the 1996–97 Premiership campaign, in which Arsenal finished third, Merson was sold to relegated Middlesbrough in a £5 million deal - making him the most expensive player ever signed by a non-Premiership club. Whilst Arsene Wenger had offered a new two year contract, Middlesbrough offered double the salary available at Arsenal. Merson played 423 times for Arsenal and scored 99 goals in all competitions.

Middlesbrough[link]

In the summer of 1998, Merson accused Middlesbrough of being a club with a drinking and gambling culture, insisting he needed to move away.^[2] He later refuted that claim. In the autumn of 1998, Paul Merson was sold to Aston Villa for £6.75 million after wishing to be nearer to his family in the South. Merson was a key player for Middlesbrough's promotion success as Division One runners-up in 1997–98.

Aston Villa[link]

He quickly established himself as a fans favourite due to his creative, flamboyant brand of football. He remained on the club's payroll for nearly five years, helping them reach the 2000 FA Cup Final, before he was finally given a free transfer at the end of the 2001–02 season.

Portsmouth[link]

Merson signed for Division One club Portsmouth on a two-year contract,^[3] and was instrumental in the club's promotion to the Premiership in 2002–03. Merson, however, felt that he was too old for a return to the Premiership, and wanted to move closer to his home in Sutton Coldfield. Following a possible move to West Brom which was later vetoed by then Manager Gary Megson, he was eventually snapped up by Division One side Walsall in summer 2003.^[4]

Walsall[link]

In February 2004, Merson admitted himself to the Sierra Tucson Clinic in Arizona to seek help for his gambling addiction under the advice and financial backing of the PFA, and missed several key games whilst Walsall slipped in the league from mid table mediocrity into the relegation zone. However, a couple of months after his return, Merson was quickly thrown into the manager's spot at Walsall following Colin Lee's sacking for allegedly having talks with Plymouth Argyle over a vacant manager's position there. Merson led a gallant bid to retain Division One status, but was hindered by a harsh last minute penalty against Crystal Palace, and eventually relegated after a 3–2 victory against Rotherham United whilst having to rely on Stoke City beating Gillingham F.C. on the final day. The following month, despite relegation, Merson was rewarded with the manager's job on a permanent basis.

The 2004–05 season proved to be a difficult season for Merson, on and off the field. Walsall went out of all cup competitions against lower league teams, and it was reported that Merson had had a rift with his wife, and had started drinking and gambling again, whilst the press reported on him inviting goalkeeper Mark Bosnich back into the game. Walsall slipped close to a second consecutive relegation. Merson responded by making several key signings on transfer deadline day; Julian Joachim, Andy Oakes, Anthony Gerrard (cousin of Steven Gerrard), Craig Pead and David Perpetuini. Merson's side went undefeated during May 2005, securing League One status for another year.

After a difficult first season in management, Merson's position at Walsall looked more secure as the club entered the 2005–06 season; however, he was unable to lift Walsall out of the relegation zone, and with the club in 19th place, he was sacked on 6 February 2006 after his Walsall side lost 5–0 to Brentford at Griffin Park. Despite a number of offers from clubs as high as the Championship, Merson opted to resume his playing career at part-time Conference club Tamworth, however this arrangement only lasted two games (with Merson playing only once) before he announced his retirement from professional football playing on 9 March 2006.^[5]

Whitton Athletic[link]

In February 2012, Merson came out of retirement to join Chiswick & District Sunday League side Whitton Athletic, he has currently played three games scoring once against Hanwell Utd ^[6] On 28 March, he made a one-off appearance for Mid Wales Football League side Welshpool Town, playing alongside fellow Sky Sports pundit Chris Kamara against Newbridge-on-Wye. Merson scored the opening goal in the 4-1 defeat at the Maes y Dre Recreation Ground.^[7]

International career[link]

Euro 1992[link]

Merson first played for the England national team in 1991, being called up by Graham Taylor. He participated in the 1992 European Championships in Sweden. He played in the opening 0–0 draw with Denmark. England went out after another 0–0 draw against the French and a 2–1 loss to hosts Sweden.

1994 World Cup Qualifying[link]

Merson also played a part in the failed campaign to qualify for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. He played in the opening game, a 1–1 home draw with Norway.^[8] He next played against the Netherlands as a substitute for Paul Gascoigne who was injured. England were leading 2–1, but crucially conceded a late penalty for a 2–2 draw.^[9] Merson also played in the 1993 U.S. Cup against Brazil and Germany, nearly scoring in a 2–1 defeat to the later, Bodo Illgner saving from a 20-yard shot. He returned for the critical and controversial 2–0 defeat against the Dutch in Rotterdam. Merson nearly equalised the opening Dutch goal, and hit the post with a free-kick.^[10]

England failed to qualify for the World Cup. Taylor's successor, Terry Venables, told Merson that he would not get into the team owing to his life style of heavy drinking. In his book, How Not to be a Professional Footballer, Merson refers to an incident in Chicago while on duty with England during the US Cup. After drinking he wandered off into the city on his own. Merson ended up in a dangerous area and was involved in trying to break up a fight while very drunk himself. When the combatants turned on Merson, he fled back to the hotel. The next morning the FBI came to the hotel and briefed the players on the dangers in the city. They expressed surprise that Merson was not injured in the incident.

1998 World Cup[link]

Merson held the distinction of being the only player in England's 1998 FIFA World Cup squad not to play for a top flight club. In that tournament, he played in England's famous second round match against Argentina, scoring in the penalty shootout, although England eventually lost.

1998 marked the end of Merson's international career after 21 full caps in seven years, in which he scored three times.

Media work[link]

In August, 2006 he also commenced a column for the official Arsenal FC magazine. He also continues to play for the England Legends, a 16-man squad of former internationals who have played Italy, Germany, Scotland, Ireland and the rest of the world. Merson has recently^[when?] become a regular on Star Sports Asia, covering Premier League matches, although his main job is on Sky Sports, where he is a match reporter and regular pundit for Gilette Soccer Saturday. Although outspoken on the show, Merson is most often wrong in his pre-match previews and predictions, which are posted as part of his column for the Sky Sports website. Merson also has commentated on Arabic channels, again covering the Premier League. These are all recorded in London, not abroad. Merson has also been a regular contributor to US Football show beyond the pitch (www.beyondthepitch.net).^{[citation needed]}

Career statistics[link]

^[11]

Honours[link]

Team[link]

Arsenal[link]

• First Division/Premier League
  • Winner (2): 1988-89, 1990-91,
• FA Cup
  • Winner (1): 1993
• Football League Cup
  • Winner (1): 1993
• Cup Winners' Cup
  • Winner (1): 1994
  • Runner-up (1): 1995
• UEFA Super Cup
  • Runner-up (1): 1994
• FA Community Shield
  • Winner (1): 1991 (shared)
  • Runner-up (2): 1989, 1993

Middlesbrough[link]

• Football League First Division
  • Runner-up (1): 1997–98
• Football League Cup
  • Runner-up (1): 1998

Aston Villa[link]

• FA Cup
  • Runner-up (1): 2000
• UEFA Intertoto Cup
  • Winner (1): 2001

Portsmouth[link]

Football League First Division

• Winner (1): 2002–03

Individual[link]

• PFA Young Player of the Year: 1989
• Premier League Player of the Month: February 2000
• PFA Team of the Year Division One: 2002–03

Personal life[link]

Merson is a supporter of Chelsea^{[citation needed]}. Merson has been married twice (to Lorainne and Louise), and has five children. His first marriage crumbled under his recovery from drug addiction and alcoholism.^[12]

In March 2006, he was photographed by the Daily Mirror drunk at the Boujis nightclub in South Kensington. In June 2006, Merson was accused of rape after a night at a flat owned by the Sloane Club in Chelsea, West London.^[13] But it was found that although he had been at the flat, he had been in another room with another woman.^[14]

In October 2011, Merson was involved in a car crash with a lorry on the M40 near Warwick, UK and arrested for drink-driving. ^[15]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Paul Merson career stats at Soccerbase
• Paul Merson management career stats at Soccerbase
• Paul Merson at the Internet Movie Database
• Paul Merson at National-Football-Teams.com
• Profile at sporting-heroes.net

v t e England squad – UEFA Euro 1992 1 Woods 2 Curle 3 Pearce 4 Keown 5 Walker 6 Wright 7 Platt 8 Steven 9 Clough 10 Lineker (c) 11 Sinton 12 Palmer 13 Martyn 14 Dorigo 15 Webb 16 Merson 17 Smith 18 Daley 19 Batty 20 Shearer Coach: Taylor

v t e England squad – 1998 FIFA World Cup 1 Seaman 2 Campbell 3 Le Saux 4 Ince 5 Adams 6 Southgate 7 Beckham 8 Batty 9 Shearer (c) 10 Sheringham 11 McManaman 12 Neville 13 Martyn 14 Anderton 15 Merson 16 Scholes 17 Lee 18 Keown 19 L. Ferdinand 20 Owen 21 R. Ferdinand 22 Flowers Coach: Hoddle