August 31, 2014 7:59pm Thank heavens B&W is still as popular as ever. This image would most likely not work in color as effectively as it does in B&W.
But of equal or greater importance is the fact that this photo is a perfect example of what an "editorial" image should look like today. It has a sense of the late '40s and '50s photographic era. It creates a classic feel, recreating the best of Vogue, etc., in a modern environment.