ICON had the exclusive chance to interview Stuart Price about his experiences working with Madonna. Here is part 1 of the interview with the Grammy nominated producer of Confessions on a Dance Floor.

ICON: What's the best part in being involved with Madonna's new album?

STUART: Watching it take shape from a few demos done for fun into an entire spectacle with dancers, videos and nightclubs full of people!

ICON: What made you want to record this album in your home studio? Why not a big studio instead?

STUART:It wasn't really thought about that much, we just found that we had got into several songs before we even thought about it. But that was the thing for much of the album concept; it wasn't over-thought or analysed. We liked the sound of my studio and so thought why go elsewhere?

ICON: How would you describe your collaboration with Madonna?

STUART: Like finding your favourite musician, comedian and friend all in one!

ICON: How is working on a Madonna project different from working with a new artist?

STUART: it's not in many ways. She is very fresh, exciting and full of ideas the same way as someone is when they do their first record. The difference is she has the experience and integrity of someone who understands the creative process very deeply and can therefore suggest directions and ideas that can inspire greater heights.

Kaori Ono asked Madonna: Which song took the most time to finish on Confessions on a Dancefloor? Why?

Madonna answers: Sorry. I thought it was too melodramatic and could never decide when it was right.

Congratulations to those of you who correctly answered ICON's "French Elle" contest! we're pretty sure that it took a lot of research, but isn't it great to have a real challenge? Now, it's time for us to give you the full and correct answer to the following question: How many times did the french edition of ELLE magazine feature Madonna on its cover during the past 20 years (including the most recent one)?

Madonna was featured 6 times.
- 1990 - Herb Ritts
- 1990 - Patrick Demarchelier
- 1991 - Steven Miesel
- 1992 - Steven Miesel
- 2001 - Gilles Bensimon
- 2005 - Gilles Bensimon
Here are the names of the lucky Iconers who will soon receive a copy of the latest French Elle magazine: Angel Figueroa Jeannie Buxo Stephan Harms Amanda Poole Kimberly Rafferty Congratulations again and be sure to check the contest section of the site on a regular basis for new chances to win some Madonna goodies!

ICON is happy to confirm that Madonna's friend and choreographer Jamie King will be directing the video for Madonna's second single, SORRY. Stay tuned to ICON for more news!

Madonna recently was featured on the cover of the french ELLE magazine. It was not the first time as she graced this famous fashion magazine's cover several times during the past twenty years, promoting an album or a new movie. As a Madonna fan, you probably still have on mind some of Madonna's most wonderful magazine covers, right? If you do, then answer the following question and you could be one of the 4 Iconers to get a copy of the latest french ELLE featuring Madonna as its cover girl: How many times did the french edition of ELLE magazine feature Madonna on its cover during the past 20 years (including the most recent one)? For each of them, give the year of publication and the name of the photgrapher behind the cover shot. E-mail your answer and full member info to icon@moov-u-mail.com before 3PM PST on December 21, 2005. Also, don't forget to use "French ELLE contest" as your e-mail's subject line.

Congratulations to Alfred Rossy! You are the winner of the "Let me Walk In Your Shoes" Contest! Read Alfred's winning essay here!



"Madonna has taken us on an emotional journey over the years with her music, films, and bright spirit; however one thing that has kept Madonna ever-changing is her iconic fashion persona. Madonna has been dressed by some of the worlds leading designers, but none have brought the clothes Madonna before her even wearing them like Gaultier. From coned bras to kimonos Gaultier has never failed to design an iconic piece for the ultimate icon. Every piece he designs for her goes with her personality at the time in which she wears them. Some of the most memorable costumes for Blond Ambition were by Gaultier and they took Madonna's tour wardrobe to another level as her personality and career had been at the time. Every segments costume did justice in bringing Madonna forth to the audience. The costumes were so significant that they got their own spread in the June 1990 issue of Bazaar Magazine. Gaultier has obviously played a significant role in her career as he was featured in the Truth or Dare film, for which he also designed a piece for the premiere. I believe Gaultier can be said to be the only designer who has been featured on a magazine cover, Glamour Magazines June 1990 issue, with Madonna his muse. A couple of years later when Madonna was ready to bare it all again since the infamous 1979 nudes he created a controversial yet sexy, and bosom revealing piece for his fashion show in which Madonna walked the catwalk on September 24, 1992. This helped display Madonna's rebellious and sex driven attitude of the time. As Madonna matured and longed for motherhood Gaultier had her walk the catwalk once again, but this time in a more maternal way with a stroller and wearing a sexy yet futuristic gown that matched her Bedtime Stories persona of the time. When motherhood did finally come around Madonna's career took a more mystical and spiritual twist. Who better to design the dress for the first video off the new album then Gaultier? Gaultier was of course the designer of the mystical, Goth princess dress Madonna wore in her Frozen video. One of my favorite outfits from this era is the kimono which was worn during the video and Grammy Award performances of Nothing Really Matters. These brought back Madonna's appreciation of Asian culture. Madonna's appreciation of the Asian culture can also be seen in a segment of her Drowned World Tour in which Gaultier designed yet another Asian inspired outfit, which the sketch of was featured in the tour book. This showed Madonna's inspiration of what she took out of one of her favorite books Memoirs of a Geisha. We cannot deny the chemistry between the two, we even find ourselves buying Gaultier's Madonna inspired perfume bottle. Like Madonna, Gaultier is not afraid to take chances and that would explain what has kept them friends this long and them amazing the world one design after another all their work together is signature, timeless, and will not be forgotten."

Karen A Bennett asked Madonna: Ive heard recently that you have become interested in directing. Please tell me what inspired you to look at directing as your next challenge and what sorts of projects will you be looking at?

Madonna answers: Making my documentary, Im Going To Tell You a Secret and 20 years of collaborating with directors on my music videos inspired me.

Have you ever wanted to share a bottle of wine with Madonna? Delicious & flavorful bottles of Cabarnet Sauvignon, Barbera, Pinot Grigio, and UnWine are now available with Madonna's artwork to commemorate the amazing success of her latest album, Confessions on a Dance floor. This is a great time to be a Madonna fan! Celebrate with a bottle of Madonna wine. Click HERE to buy now!

Madonna is busy preparing for her new photoshoot that will be featured in an upcoming issue of Harper's Bazaar. She will be collaborating with photographer Solve Sundsbo. This is a brand new photographer collaboration for Madonna. Stay tuned to ICON for more exciting news!!!

When it comes to fashion and couture, Madonna's name is often used as a reference. For now more than 20 years, the girl wears what magazines describe as the next season's trends, and is behind the worldwide success of many new designers who create clothes that perfectly match her projects and state of mind. Now, it's your turn to express yourself and share your thoughts about Madonna's image.

To do so, you will need to create an essay that will be between 200 and 600 words and that will answer the following question: Which designer dressed Madonna the best through the years, bringing her the clothes that matched her personality? You will need to explain the reasons behind your choice, giving away concrete examples of clothes that Madonna wore and designer information.

Copy and paste your essay in the body of an e-mail and send it to icon@moov-u-mail.com before 9:59:59 a.m. Pacific Standard Time on December 16, 2005. Please do not attach any file to you're-mail as attached files won't be considered as valid. Also, be sure to include your full member info and to use Let Me Walk In Your Shoes Contest