Vogue Paris Translation: Editorial, April 2010

Below is my translation from French to English of the editorial written by Carine Roitfeld for the April issue of Vogue Paris. In searching for a way to help us understand McQueen's tragic last act, Carine turns naturally to her Russian heritage:

Écho conscient ou non à l'année culturelle France-Russie, Vogue a l'âme slave. Natalia Vodianova, néo-Peau d'âne aux cheveux de feu, pose dans des robes uniques réalisées en exclusivité par les plus grands créateurs dont le produit de la ventre ira à la fondation pour les enfants russes défavorisés créée par la top model. L'héritière Maria Baibakova, mécène en stilettos Alaïa, passionnée d'art contemporain, ouvre les portes de sa datcha de verre située dans le Beverly Hills de Moscou : aux murs, Cindy Sherman, Thomas Ruff, Andreas Gursky ou encore Damien Hirst témoignent de l'œil affûté et d l'ouverture d'esprit de la jeune femme. Quant à Daria Werbowy, elle incarne une muse des steppes cinq étoiles.

Si je repense aux défilés intenses, mémorables, parfois violents d'Alexander McQueen, à son imaginaire sous tension, électrisé par des visions aux antipodes qui convoquaient le futurisme, les contes fantastiques, le baroque, le bondage ou encore des batailles sanglantes, je me dis que la Russie a dû héberger l'inspiration du couturier. Ses tourments avaient le sel de 'lest, et le final de son existence, qu'il a lui-même mis en scène, est un épilogue tragique. Alexander McQueen a mis fin à ses jours en février dernier, la mode a perdu l'un de ses plus grands couturiers, un génie émouvant dont chaque défilé était une messe. Ce numéro lui est dédié.

Echo conscious or not of the French-Russian cultural year, Vogue has Slavic soul. Natalia Vodianova, the new Donkeyskin with fiery hair, poses in unique dresses made exclusively by the greatest creators whose proceeds will go to the foundation for underprivileged Russian children created by the top model. The heiress Maria Baibakova, a philanthropist in Alaïa stilettos, impassioned by contemporary art, opens the doors of her glass cottage located in the Beverly Hills of Moscow: on the walls, Cindy Sherman, Thomas Ruff, Andreas Gursky or even Damien Hirst testify to the sharp eye and the open spirit of the young woman. With regard to Daria Werbowy, she plays a five-star muse of the steppes.

If I recall the shows intense, memorable, sometimes violent of Alexander McQueen, his imaginary power, electrified by the visions of the antipodes which summoned the futurism, the fantastic tales, the baroque, the bondage or even the bloody battles, I say that Russia has played host to the designer's inspiration. His torments had the salt of ballast, and the finale of his existence which he himself has staged, is a tragic epilogue. Alexander McQueen ended his days in February this year, fashion has lost one of its greatest designers, a moving genius whose every show was a mass. This issue is dedicated to him.

Vogue Paris editorial image © 2010 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.

Roitfeld Takes Tea At Toraya

My friend Milla recently discovered Toraya, a beautiful tea salon and pastry shop in Paris that happens to be one of Carine Roitfeld's favorite spots. Milla concurs and she has written an excellent review of Toraya accompanied by her photos of the salon; below is an excerpt that she kindly agreed to share with us. Oh, I am as green as tea with envy...

Telling you that I love all things Japanese would just be like telling you my name is Milla. Old news. Last Thursday, Paris surprised me; not only did I meet a very nice Japanese lady, we also had a chance to sit and talk at Toraya, which is now officially my favourite resto in Paris... When people talk about food being as good as sex, I will know that they've been to Toraya!

Toraya photograph courtesy of Not Just Another Milla.

Roitfeld And Richardson In Humor Chic

In his most recent post on Humor Chic, aleXsandro Palombo draws attention to the fact that fashion makes strange bedfellows. He has created a scene that I would never want to wake up to, quelle horreur. In the artist statement on his site Palombo writes: "When I put pencil to paper, I know where I'll start but I don't know where I'll finish." This particular amour à trois is one funny stop indeed.

Carine Roitfeld and Terry Richardson illustration © 2010 aleXsandro Palombo. All Rights Reserved.

Humor Chic: Roitfeld And Richardson

With his latest illustration on Humor Chic, aleXsandro Palombo expresses his opinion and then some. I did not realize that the recent controversy around Terry Richardson also pulled Carine Roitfeld into the quagmire. Please read his perspective and then tell me, does La Roitfeld aid and abet in the trafficking and exploitation of underage models? Say it isn't so...

Carine Roitfeld and Terry Richardson Vogue Paris cover illustration © 2010 aleXsandro Palombo. All Rights Reserved.

Update on vendredi 30 avril 2010 by kellina

I like this:

At my photo shoot with the lengendary Terry Richardson. Praying I won't be talked into posing with a rubber chicken, dildo or nipple clamps.

— derekblasberg

Classy By Derek Blasberg

In honor of Derek Blasberg's book Classy: Exceptional Advice for the Extremely Modern Lady releasing today, I am devoting the front page to him. I will eventually include him in the Favorites section but for now let's celebrate his first book. This witty and seemingly omniscient fashion writer hails from St. Louis, Missouri, and though he claims that his own mother does not know Carine Roitfeld, Blasberg himself certainly does and can often be seen partying with her, Julia, and Vladimir. He now lives in New York City with his miniature dachshund, Monster. I have read that he would love to have a stalker and I wish I had the time to fulfill his wish. Alas, I have not so in lieu I would like to offer this fun little collage of highlights featuring Monsieur Blasberg in assorted compromising positions. Congratulations on your new book, Derek! I cannot wait to read it and I hope that it is the first of many. Also consider taking Blasberg's quiz to measure your classy quotient.

Classy: Exceptional Advice for the Extremely Modern Lady cover image courtesy of Amazon.
Derek Blasberg photographs courtesy of Condé Nast, SIPA, Twitter, and V Magazine.

Update on mercredi 7 avril 2010 by kellina

Mr. Joe Zee could not make the Classy release party last night and he sends his regrets to Monsieur Blasberg oh so adorably!

Update on mercredi 7 avril 2010 by kellina

Do you dream of breaking into the fashion industry? Read Monsieur Blasberg's first column for Teen Vogue for insider tips, he proffers fabulous advice for all aspiring editors regardless of subject. Yowzah, we are seriously heading for that stalkership if this keeps up...

Update on jeudi 8 avril 2010 by kellina

Of course there's more, this may turn out to be the longest post in the history of the site. For a quick introduction to Classy that will make you laugh aloud, visit elle.com and read an excerpt from Blasberg's book on "Vices." Angelina Jolie and vials of blood, is that true?