Vanity Fair, October 2009

The New Establishment 2009: The Vanity Fair 100

I contributed nearly two dozen entries to this year’s VF 100, including, of course, Jamie Dimon.

VanityFair.com, 2/16/08

M. Ward Interview

“Fame and Money is a ticket to madness.”

VanityFair.com

Paul Simon swims in a sea of celebrities.

VanityFair.com, 1/09/09

The Ponzis They Are A-Cavin’

William Zantzinger died.

All roads lead to Bob Dylan. Even Bernie Madoff.

VanityFair.com, 10/06/08

What If All The Bankers Left New York?

Admit it: It’s a tantalizing prospect.

VanityFair.com, 7/14/08

Dynasties in Distress

After going at it for more than a month like two ale-soaked barflies, the Belgian brewing powerhouse InBev (Bass, Stella Artois, Beck’s) and Anheuser-Busch finally agreed today on terms of a merger. For the Busch clan, the deal marks the end of the family’s nearly 140 year control of the fabled brewer. Duff McDonald takes a look at a handful of other wealthy American families that lately have been in the news.

VanityFair.com, 4/17/08

Matthew Pressman of Vanity Fair cites The Britney Economy in a piece about her cultural significance.

Inside Dylan’s Brain

The VF Story

My Vanity Fair piece on Bob Dylan’s brain. Such as it is.

Vanity Fair, 8/22/06

The Artist Formerly Known as Paul Frank
Since its inception in 1995, Paul Frank Industries has sold $100 million worth of its cute but edgy clothes and accessories. Late last year, however, it lost the allegiance of Paul Frank himself, the design savant whose quirky creations, starting with Julius the monkey, gave birth to the brand itself. As Frank and his erstwhile partners trade allegations of disrespect, disengagement, and wedding-day slights in a battle for millions of dollars, the question arises: Which Paul Frank—the man or the company—is to blame?…..

Vanity Fair, March 2005

Poker’s Wild

Brad Pitt, Ben Affleck, Tobey Maguire, Leonardo DiCaprio- it seems A-list Hollywood has got the poker bug, with a slew of poker-related lm and TV projects in the pipeline. Checking out the home games, big-ticket buy-ins, and high-rolling history, the author explores the industry’s current obsession.