Continuing our tribute to the influential covers created by Carine Roitfeld for Vogue Paris, our editor-at-large in Paris, Milla Msa, reflects on her favorite covers from the last decade.
Carine Roitfeld has done some amazing work and as I looked through her 100+ covers, I realized just how diverse her styling can be. After ten years of Vogue Paris, how does one top that? As we await our first glimpses of Carine's collaboration with Barneys New York, here are my five favorite covers:
Sofia Coppola by Mario Testino
December 2004/January 2005
Sofia, Sofia, Sofia — can you think of any other non-French celebrity more fitting for Vogue Paris? No, neither can I! When this issue came, I was in Asia and despite knowing that my issue would arrive at my home in London, I couldn't wait another few weeks so I snapped up a copy there and then and I have to say that the cover, photographed by legendary Mario Testino, is one of my all-time favorite images as it perfectly captures the essence of the subject.
Kate Moss by Craig McDean
December 2005/January 2006
One of Vogue Paris' regular cover models and my favorite model, Kate Moss, looked angelic on the cover of the December 2005/January 2006 issue, which she also guest edited. I'm keen to learn more about these Christmas guest edits; how do they work? Did Carine have ultimate control? Will Emmanuelle Alt continue them? With four different covers produced, Kate looked divine as she sported couture from Chanel and Valentino as well as prêt-à-porter pieces from Giorgio Armani Privé and Dior Homme.
Scarlett Johansson by Mario Sorrenti
April 2009
Given my strong disdain for celebrities on the covers of magazines, this comes as a surprising selection. Carine chose well with Scarlett and the message that she embodies: sexy, healthy curves and playful. Scarlett's killer body and rockin' new hair color disgruntled some readers but to me, this was yet another Roitfeld/Sorrenti collaboration of fabulousness!
Kate Moss by Mario Sorrenti
June/July 2010
When I saw the cover online, the seduction of Kate's tanned skin as she poses in her gorgeous swimsuit, red lipstick, et al instantly hit me and I spent the next few days literally waiting by my post box for my issue to arrive. Photographed by Mario Sorrenti, this cover was actually styled by Emmanuelle Alt. The editorial alone got me signing up for aerobics class.
Tom Ford and Daphne Groenveld by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott
December 2010/January 2011
Instantaneous love. I don't know how else to put it. It's as though Mr. Ford is taking a step back, admiring his own work, not giving two hoots as to your view, and calmly telling Mert & Marcus to take the shot. Mr. Ford has always exuded a level of confidence that borders on arrogance, yet never quite crosses the line. I find this trait so incredibly alluring. He seems to have a very similar mentality to Carine — determined, perfectionist, and self-aware. Many people were disappointed that such a young model (Daphne was just 15 years old at the time of publication) was fronting Vogue Paris, but on this rare occasion, I'm going to let that slide.
Do you have a favorite set of Vogue Paris covers?
Vogue Paris cover images © 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.