Many of us probably can’t read the pages of Italian Vogue but it certainly doesn’t stop us from appreciating the impressive images within. From their recent oil slicked photo shoot that dared to go there, to their always obscurely striking beauty pages, Italian Vogue is definitely the most exciting publication within the Vogue franchise. Rarely will you see a blonde Hollywood actress smiling sweetly on the cover like many of the magazines, and even when they do manage to find a sweetly smiling lass, she’s often posed nude and printed in a 3D format, much like the current September cover starring Miranda Kerr.

Shot by Steven Meisel, the September issue’s cover and 22 page photoshoot inside is designed to be viewed through a supplied pair of 3D glasses, allowing for the images to literally jump right off the page. Miranda Kerr also confirmed in the issue that she is pregnant.

The 3D venture is a commendable concept for Italian Vogue, which as a publication is not afraid to push the boundaries visually. But for such a pioneering effort the photoshoot falls a little flat in terms of visual impact. Sure Miranda is glowing (glow courtesy of makeup artist Pat McGrath), the images are flawless, but the actual clothes and styling in the shoot is lacking.

I’m sure there is a large audience out there who would be willing and ready to see a nude Miranda Kerr in 3D, but I’m not so sure that paricular audience also shares an equal passion for Italian Vogue, so a photoshoot so focused on Miranda in the buff seems an odd fit for the fashion forward magazine. Where is the couture? The drama? The ridiculous shoes and over the top sets? Imagine what could have been achieved in 3D if Lady Gaga and Daphne Guinness got together to do a few poses.

Granted hints of Mui Mui and Louis Vuitton are present and a scruffy dog makes an appearance as a prop, but all in all Italian Vogue’s vision of femininity seems more focused on flesh than fashion.