Editor-at-large Kate Ringo Suzuki is on the scene to share with us one of the secrets to being a Roitfeld: imperfection. Yes, you read that correctly, Carine Roitfeld practices the art of imperfection and you can, too...
Roitfeld Beauty Secret: Imperfection
By Kate Ringo Suzuki
“I think that something needs to be weird in order to have a real beauty. Beauty can be quite boring, especially if you’re talking about beauty that doesn’t last. And what lasts is exactly the thing that maybe wasn’t pretty at first — it comes over time to be beautiful or interesting or exciting.”
— Carine Roitfeld
Resist the urge to Photoshop your life. Real beauty contains flaws and weirdness: What an interesting concept. I think Ms. Roitfeld is right. I am pulling for the weird side of style. Think of it as CR Fashion Book vs. InStyle Magazine. Go, CR Fashion Book, GO!
Another groovy fashion editor esteemed for her singularity, the late, great Diana Vreeland, delivered a similar riff on this idea that so-called flaws enhance rather than degrade what is considered beautiful. She once said, “You don’t have to be pretty. You don’t owe prettiness to anyone… Prettiness is not a rent you pay for occupying a space marked ‘female’.” These are words that came out of the mouth of a woman with iconic style.
How would you choose to present yourself if pretty were not a requirement? Would you wear discretely strange tops by Martin Margiela, paired with tight black Balenciaga pants? Would you button a white Ann Demeulemeester shirt all the way up? Or would you unbutton it down to there… and forget about it? Take a moment to ponder it.. What if pretty were not a requirement? What would you do? Okay… so do that.
If pretty were not a requirement, perhaps you would be edgy and own it, or maybe you would be fearlessly sexy. Give pretty the backseat and what results is pure nonchalance. Interesting. Carine Roitfeld does not fidget in the mirror nor does she tilt her head sweetly. She is too busy being charming, being interested, and being engaged in the moment, which is now. Like right now. This second. She is not being pretty. There is no “being pretty” — you either are or you are not.
But while Carine Roitfeld does not fidget in the mirror, she also embraces beauty wholeheartedly. For Ms. Roitfeld, beauty develops from the delicate interplay between the pleasing and the weird, the elegant and the shocking. Carine Roitfeld wears gorgeous clothes, weird shoes, and she lazily smudges black kohl around her eyes. We view her style as exciting. We think the circles under her eyes are sexy. The juxtaposition of her holy shit amazing clothes and her imperfections makes for a cool contrast. Carine Roitfeld highlights her strengths and lets the rest be. She skips the concealer. We call it character.
Is your imperfection...
Frizzy hair? That’s your signature. Make frizzy hair cool.
Flat chest? Go braless. Wear tight tops. Emphasize it.
Big nose? Pull your hair back. Wing your eyeliner.
Scars? Wear them like edgy, one-of-a-kind accessories that you bought in the East Village.
Too tall? Stand up straight. Wear heels. Really piss off the short people.
Too short? Take your cue from the Olsen twins and be awesome, do stuff.
Even if your flaws are nowhere near the ballpark of being strangely compelling, you can take heart that imperfection is endearing at the very least. Here are a few snappy bullet points to print out:
- Relax, there is no being pretty.
- Highlight strengths and forget the rest.
- Wear holy shit amazing clothes.
- Be awesome, do stuff.
Have fun. As for me, I’m skipping the manicure and going for a run. Catch you later.
Carine Roitfeld photographs courtesy of 12mag.net, the-wink.com, and tumblr.com.