Seeing Carine Roitfeld

Seeing Carine Roitfeld
By Kate Ringo Suzuki

I work in a boutique on Madison Avenue. I help celebrities all the time. Just last week, I helped a fashion It girl from the Swinging 60s buy some very luxurious underwear. But I will never name names.

Except for this one: Carine Roitfeld. I didn’t help her with luxurious underwear or a pencil skirt or an Equipment blouse. She didn’t come into my store. But I saw her on Madison Avenue. I saw Carine Roitfeld on Madison Avenue!! It was closing time and I was taking out the trash for the store and I froze up. It was my chance to meet Carine Roitfeld and I had trash in my hands. What made me decide to take the trash out at the exact moment she passed by my store? What are the chances? My statistics professor in college would have said, “Minute.”

I looked at her and my brain froze. I thought I was watching a television and then by the time I saw her back to me it dawned on me: This is real life. I saw eyebrows first. Then bare legs, then a chic rectangular handbag. A HANDBAG!! She was swinging it and I swear she leisurely gazed into my shop window. She is tiny. I thought she would have been bigger.

I said nothing. She may have seen me, a frozen shopgirl holding trash bags in the doorway. But maybe not. I’m mad at myself for being so shy. Next time I will be bolder. What shall I say? How about, “The more I look at your editorials from Vogue Paris, the more I realize how brilliant you are.” Too much? How about, “Hey! I write for the blog, I Want To Be A Roitfeld!” Hmm. How about, “Writing about you, your family, and the designers you love gives me indescribable joy. I’m having the time of my life.”

[Editor's note: Be sure to read Kate's brilliant advice on dressing for your figure for Thanksgiving... so timely... so right...]

Carine Roitfeld photograph courtesy of Karpowicz.blogspot.fr

Comments

[madeleine gallay]

a delicious story ...

[kellina]

Isn't it, Madeleine?! I first heard it by text and then begged Kate to publish it, I am in awe of her luck. Some things are meant to be.

[Francesca]

Lucky girl!

[kellina]

She sure is, Francy!!! Awesome luck!!!

[claire]

What a fab post - i am so smiling - have a wonderful weekend Kellina x

http://fashionandfrank.blogspot.com/

[Lee]

This is wonderful, Kate. And I'm so jealous of you!! (but not about the trash part!)

[kellina]

Oh thank you, Claire! I was just thinking this morning that it has been a while since I saw you in the comments, so happy to hear from you! Enjoy your weekend. xx

[Lisi]

Like I mentioned on Facebook, Kate, I would have thrown up. Lucky I wasn't there. Also, she probably already knows who you are and where you work. Because she's a freaking Roitfeld and has an incredible network of fashion spies. You have to think. Maybe. OMG. Seriously, OMG.

[kellina]

Ha ha, Lee! I have to say I think the trash in hand is kind of adorable. And I share your jealousy!

;-)

[kellina]

Hee hee, Lisi, that's what I told her, Carine was probably stalking her!

;-D

[noelani]

Now that you were confronted with the situation you will know exactly what to say to her. I am amazed you had the presence of mind to snap a quick photo!! Ahhh, what a fabulous brush with fame.

[kellina]

Noelani, sorry for any confusion but this is not actually Kate's photo, she had her hands full!

:-)

[cigalechanta (mimi)]

What luck! We'd all like to run into her.

[kellina]

Everyone but me, Mimi, whatever would I wear?!

[Kate]

Yes, it's true. I had my hands full.
@Kellina: Just wear designer ;)
@Lisi: You make me laugh! Fashion spy's?? You are hilarious!

[kellina]

Kate, perhaps if I engage you as my stylist I could manage!

[Kate]

I will take you to Barneys and your credit card will get a bashing. ;)

[kellina]

ERrr, good choice, that has Michael's name on it!!!

:-D

[dara block]

great story, kate! I can't believe this happened!!! so cool. I have a feeling you will see her again, interesting things always happen on the streets of new york! better start practicing what you will say!

[bernie]

If that will happen to me... it means that God is calling me

[Amber Furst]

I adore your blog!

[FashionClout]

Love that photo..all hazy and mysterious, leaves you wanting more!

http://somefashionclout.blogspot.com

[Kris]

Hi, I'm the owner of this image, I took it during the fashion night out last year. Please credit this image to my blog or remove it.
Best, kris.

[kellina]

Kris, I am sorry for the mistake, I have corrected the credit. I love your photos!