As a tribute to Carine Roitfeld's influential work at Vogue Paris, we have selected our favorites from her decade of amazing Vogue Paris covers. First we will hear from our editor-at-large in New York, Kate Ringo Suzuki, as she shares her thoughts on the covers that truly shine for her among Carine's brilliant creations...
Vogue Paris covers styled by Carine Roitfeld were the Sirens' call to girls like me — fashion-loving girls slumming it in the Big Apple, without a clue how to speak much less read a stitch of French. Never mind. The Vogue Paris cover called us and its melody was too seductive to ignore. Perhaps what drew us in was the dream that someday, somehow, we too could be as chic as a Parisian femme fatal temptingly clicking her way down Avenue Montaigne in her tight-ass pencil skirt and 4 inch lace-up Alaïa heels. And so despite the cost of our rent, we shelled out $15 a pop without hesitation. Oh, Carine, how you seduce!
As we bid adieu to Carine Rotifeld’s styling for Vogue Paris, let us take a walk down memory lane. I have chosen my top three personal favorite Vogue Paris covers as styled by Carine Roitfeld:
Kate Moss by Mario Testino
February 2001
Ms. Roitfeld’s first Vogue Paris cover comes out with a bang! A striking, sharp image of Kate Moss stops us in our tracks as she peers at us from behind a stick-straight platinum bob. The cover is clean and icy-cool. It has a clarity that is as crisp as a ripe apple and as sharp as a samurai’s sword. Carine, you had us at “Bonjour.”
Vanessa Paradis by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott
November 2008
Vanessa Paradis looks as if she were carved straight from marble. The Orientalism of this cover cannot be denied. Red lacquered nails frame her classic visage — made even better by her gap teeth. With red lips to match and perfect black liquid liner, I am mesmerized by her languid look.
Scarlett Johansson by Mario Sorrenti
April 2009
A vision of classic sensuality and unbridled sexiness, Scarlett Johansson practically bursts from her Dolce & Gabbana corset as we catch a voyeruristic glimpse of her from her bedroom. Her smoky eyes communicate far more than words. Oh my, we have caught her in an intimate moment. Can you say, “smoulder”? Her long, amber, wavy mane perfectly suits her creamy porcelain complexion. I cannot tear my eyes away from this image. I even love her signature at the bottom in the orange font.
Vogue Paris cover images © 2001, 2008, 2009 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.