Vogue Paris Translation: Une Fille Un Style, April 2010
dimanche 25 avril 2010 
Carine Roitfeld has selected the fabulously stylish Catherine Baba for the "Une Fille Un Style" section of the April 2010 issue of Vogue Paris. Below I have translated the text of the article from French to English. What are your thoughts, do you like the style of Catherine Baba?
The two syllables of her name might evoke the flavors of rum, an addiction to pastry as light as a cloud. But outside the featherweight, it is rather the fumes of Opium and thirty years of Montparnasse that stick to the skin of Catherine Baba. The muse was always headed for Paris nights and the fashion scene.
A GIRL: She rented an apartment in Paris a fortnight of years ago, mesmerized by the culture of couture, the surrealistic mythology, and this "French touch" chic which she lives to the second degree. "I never imagined living in New York or London," says the Australian with the Fitzgeraldien accent and explosive style who baptizes everyone "Darling." For this avid reader of Colette, fashion has always been obvious. A seamstress for a mother, a textiles course in high school, then a long haul and landing at Studio Berçot: a multi-talented designer, she is now occupied daily with still photography for film, and a line in her name that should come out this summer. Already under Baba's belt: a plethora of collaborations with Dazed & Confused, Vogue Nippon, Moschino, and Cartier.
A STYLE: Louise Brooks electrified by the bright lights of the Palace, with reminiscences of the Roaring Twenties and over-spangled glam. Escaped from the studio of Edward Steichen. Catherine Baba has vintage in the blood, but if she is beyond healthy with her 1930s dresses acquired in flea markets, she also knows how to work a pair of leopard print leggings or a jacket backed with shiny sequins. "This obsession with old clothes made my mother hysterical, especially since she spent her time sewing my conservative pretty dresses, but it is at garage sales in Sydney that I began to find my freedom," Catherine remembers today.
NIGHT: "Since I am an insomniac, darling, I decided to live and watch rather than get back to my bed." Uniforms to bewitch the night at Maxim's "combination of ultra-slinky and Japanese kimono, stunning heels, a deluge of jewelry, a 70s minaudière, and a cigarette holder to punctuate the silhouette." In all cases, a strong taste for the fluid materials, chiffons and glittering lamé, even velvets and brocades have their reserved seats.
ACCESSORIES: A profusion: belts and trimmings, in satin, in leather, or in metal mesh, but mostly hats: "I have always adored them, they still keep me amused." Mini-bibis fully embroidered, vintage cloches, or Hollywood turbans, all headgear acquired since childhood, found on the right, left. Some come from Army surplus stores in the depths of the United States, skimmed off for a summer road trip in the company of Jeremy Scott. Others simply have been purchased on eBay.
JEWELRY: Wherever she is, the jingle of her jewelry invariably signals her arrival. Inspiration: a photograph of Nancy Cunard by Cecil Beaton, from which comes this avalanche of bracelets: in silver or lacquered wood from Tiffany, in jade, as well as oversized rings designed by Elie Top for Baccarat, a gold metal cuff watch by Yves Saint Laurent... More pendants, mini bottles in hooded silver onyx, a small vial of Opium perfume hanging on a silk cord, tassels of all kinds, and a tiny gold box at the neck: "This is my box of secrets — and also my Pandora's box. The last time I opened it, I almost fell from an airplane."
CREATORS: "Lo! I'm not crazy about the new trends: I like pieces that endure, that are timeless, that allow reinterpretation." Not necessarily the type to rush into the shop which is releasing a new collection, Catherine Baba monitors Riccardo Tisci at Givenchy, Alber Elbaz at Lanvin, shuddered at the last show of Haider Ackermann, and welcomes the work of Nicolas Ghesquiere at Balenciaga based on the materials and the proportions. The ultimate references: Azzedine Alaïa, both for his collections and his independence, and Elsa Schiaparelli.
SHOES: "In this area, the Italians are the strongest: Francesco Russo at Sergio Rossi, Fabrizio Viti at Vuitton... But I also love Christian Louboutin, both for his creations and for his career." In any case, Catherine Baba wears high heels, even at home, where she receives in purple velvet slippers, a Lanvin mesh ultra lounge dress, an antique ivory comb stuck in her hair. She allows herself sometimes, and unseen, a small meeting with the massaging sandals.
BEAUTY: Skin care: L'Or de Vie
FUR: "Because I am against the suffering of animals, I wear only vintage fur. And I think that a sable would be delighted to know that it is worn by beautiful people, in sumptuous décors." This does not prevent Catherine Baba from giving monthly to Greenpeace.
ADDRESSES: Chez Sarah at the Clignancourt flea markets for the extraordinary assortment of dresses from the eighteenth century to today. The terrace of Le Café Marly, to rest between fashion shows. Le Mathy's Bar, from the beginning, for an evening with friends. But also A La Civette, the tobacco store of Palais Royal, to replenish the stock of Armada menthols to be iced then slipped into a silver cigarette holder. To move among these hotspots, she hops on a bike, why not dress in haute couture.
IPOD: In keeping with her skillfully eclectic image, Grace Jones and Vivaldi, Schubert and Duran Duran, the disco of Paradise Garage and the voice of Maria Callas, more swing of the seventies by Doctor Buzzard's Original Savannah Band.
PROJECT: At the same time she is collaborating on the next film of Eva Ionesco, she finalizes her first line of clothing "very visual, both flat and three-dimensional. A women's collection, but could be worn by men. Very me, in short, darling."
PETITION: "During a party I lost a bone cuff bracelet designed by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany. If someone has got hold of it, I'd be very grateful to have it returned to me." Notice to the person(s).
"Une Fille Un Style" images of Catherine Baba © 2010 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.
Carine Roitfeld in Editorial, Fashion, Paris, Translation, Vogue Paris
Reader Comments (10)
Thanks for sharing the text with us! There's a famous picture of her in a bicycle which she wears a long coat of fur and heels. This photo circulated a lot here and it had much controversy. Beijos - liemalgumlugar.blogspot.com
Hi, Sil! My pleasure! I know the photo of Catherine that you are talking about, it's one of the first times that I remember seeing her too. Your email is at the top of my list, I will be writing you tomorrow. Beijos!
Her more is more style suits her.
She also does styling work for Tank magazine, and her work is every bit as eclectic as she herself. The photo you're talking of appeared on jakandjil.com, I think- he does take a lot of pics of her.
On my part, I think her style is amazing. Fashion would be boring without people like Catherine Baba, Anna Piaggi, Daphne Guinness or the late, wonderful Isabella Blow. And Carine is a smart woman for recognising that these styles, which are so different from her own, are also relevent to fashion.
Kate, nice point, she is a bit over the top but totally making it work for her.
Hi, Dru! Thank you for your comment, I utterly concur that individuals like Baba keep the fashion world interesting as do attitudes like Carine's.
I totally agree with Dru. Fashion would be boring if there were not women like Catherine Baba with such a personal and strong style.
Bonjor, Isabelle, et merci! It is nice to see your comment.
I love your blog and the style of fashions that are being mentioned here.
x
B