Marc Jacobs Newest To Redo NYC Pop Icon

[Photo via Catwalk Queen]

It seems that Andy Warhol has been all over the city lately, more so than usual, from Gap ads to New York springtime fragrances, to not just one but TWO of his former townhouses going on sale. New Yorkers just do not want to let Andy rest in peace, especially not Interview magazine. This weekend, we came across these photos of Marc Jacobs channeling Andy Warhol on the next cover issue, the first issue since Ingrid Sischy exited the masthead. They're even flying Andy's wig from the Midwest to Paris. (Wonder if the wig has a handler.) So what is with magazines doing this whole former pop icon revival on the cover lately?

We won't soon forget Lindsay Lohan's imitation of Marilyn Monroe for New York magazine, images which are still burned somewhere on the back of my retinas, and apparently those of a lot of other people since NYmag.com's traffic was driven so high that it crashed the site. More hilariously, albeit disturbingly, we also remember the Village Voice cover where Michael Musto dressed as Lindsay dressing as Marilyn. So! While I think we can agree LiLo kind of paled in comparison to Marilyn, I can get on board with Marc emulating Andy, since we love Marc, they are both New Yorkers that became superstars on the international creative scene, and, depending on how you see it, they are both either artistic geniuses or play out interrelated roles in a consumerist culture.

But what is with this trend of new celebs emulating those from decades past? Below is a quick guide for how to use this technique properly:

When it's okay for editors to do pop icon revivals:

When you have an established brand but want to drive traffic to your website and spike your lagging newsstand sales.

When you're a new editor after a former longtime editor was just ousted and want to carve your own role in your magazine's history—but harking back to its inception by someone else.

When nobody else has a better idea to put on the table.

When it's okay for celebs to do pop icon revivals:

When you've had some personal problems that have been widely reported on in the frenzied press and you need to stage a comeback reminding everyone that you follow in the proud tradition of celebrities who have had problems with drugs, mental illness or disastrous relationships who have become lasting icons.

To remind us all of your accomplishments and personal genius through visually evoking former icons. (Caveat: Do not do this if icon overshadows you. Be realistic about how you measure up. See: Lindsay Lohan as Marilyn Monroe.)

Because you admire former pop icon and use him or her as a role model. (Note: When you want to actually BE your role model, this may come off as a little creepy. Keep identity separate.)

So readers: What other pearls of wisdom do you think belong on the above lists? Closing thought: First it was Marilyn, then Andy, who made Marilyn's image even more deeply ingrained in the pop culture mentality lasting through the decades with his silk screens of her….hmmm….