Gossip Girl Star on the Cover of Vogue

Blake Lively (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Gossip Girl star) graces the cover of Vogue's February issue. The Gossip Girl star has an impact on the fashion world with a show that is equally influential in terms of fashion, which is why Lively was Vogue's choice for the February cover. Although, there are rumors circulating about the current slump Vogue is in, due to the recession and to speculation that Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour is closing in on retirement. Could these rumors be true? Could they have contributed to Vogue's decision to go with Lively for the cover? Was it a wise choice?

A spokesperson for Vogue, Patrick O'Connell, released this statement to the New York Post, "She's the girl of the moment who has a hit show that people watch as much for the fashion as for the show itself."

According to the New York Post, Vogue has been affected by a slowing economy, with Vogue Living's uncertain future along with Men's Vogue, and Fashion Rocks' poor numbers; they have been affected by the current economic crisis. As far as sales go,Vogue has had a 15 percent decline during the beginning of 2008 in comparison to the year before and ad revenue has declined by almost 50 percent.

So, was Lively the best choice for the cover of one of the top fashion magazines in the world, or was she chosen based on the results of a lagging economy and less than impressive sales?