Carine Roitfeld: The Russian Connection

Carine Roitfeld: The Russian Connection
By Bernie Rothschild

As we all know, Carine Roitfeld, a typical bourgeois Parisian woman, is proud of her Russian heritage. It comes as no surprise that her father, Jacques Roitfeld, was a Russian émigré to Paris, which was a very typical route for Russians during the Revolution of 1917. Carine celebrates her Russian roots as much as she can. She prefers a vodka shot over a glass of vintage French wine. It is even said that she speaks fluent Russian. And she loves Saint Petersburg. Her style is very Parisian, but it has some darkness and toughness in it, which is the Russian in her. Carine Roitfeld is the perfect definition of the French-Russian woman.

The connection between France and Russia is nothing new. French is the language of the nobility and was the official language of the Imperial Court of Russia which was known as the Romanov Court.  The Russian Empire was a very powerful state and once occupied nearly half of the world like the Balkans, some parts of Asia, the Middle East, and even Alaska. The German born Sophie von Anhalt-Zerbst, or historically known as Catherine the Great, ruler of Russia, was very remarkable. Catherine was a Francophile and believed that everything French was superior. Her court was modeled after that of Louis XIV, the Sun King. Catherine admired the works of many French writers and regularly corresponded with Voltaire.

Though it was Peter the Great who introduced Francophilia to Russia, it was Catherine who made it popular by the use of French influence that extended not just to the language but also to the art and the architecture. Also, the official painter to the French royal court, Élisabeth Vigée-LeBrun, was once exiled in Russia and painted the Romanovs. The Rococo structure of many Russian palaces,  especially the Peterhof Palace, was modeled after the splendid Palais de Versailles. The French and the Russians share a similar aesthetic but the Russian art is mixed with a Germanic influence that has some coldness and darkness to it.

Carine Roitfeld has tried to influence her work with her Russian descent like how the Russians admire the French. Carine was involved in the debut issue of Russian Vogue starring models Kate Moss and Amber Valletta that explored the beauty and the treasures of Russia after the dissolution of the Soviet government. Carine also dedicated the October 2006 issue of Vogue Paris to Russia, the spread titled "Tsarines" was inspired by the Russian Grand Duchess, the wealthiest women in the world during her time. The atmosphere of the photography, especially the white dresses, captures the innocent and angelic style of the daughters of the last Russian emperor Nicholas II.

The second editorial from that issue, "Poupées Russes," evokes the dark days of Russia during the communist rule. Especially with the Givenchy blouse with red embroidery which screams blood and goth. While the models look like angelic Grand Duchesses in "Tsarines," in "Poupées Russes" they look as if they're Russian spies disguised as dolls. I love how Carine "Russianizes" the atmosphere of their style.

Lastly, the editorial "Princesse Natalia" presents the model Natalia Vodianova as if she were a Russian princess especially with the Kokoshnik and a Russian babushka. I love how Carine flirts with balancing the fantasy of the modern and the historical Russian style, especially with the jewel tone colors that make Natalia look like the Russian paintings from the 18th century.

Overall, Russia is really a great country; with its rich heritage, it is truly one of the inspiring places on earth.

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Vogue Paris editorial images © 2006 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.

Rap Ode To Carine Roitfeld

Remember The Little Black Jacket Contest we sponsored way back when? One of the winning entries was a rap ode to Carine Roitfeld by Morgan Von Steen, and while  I had long hoped that she would have time to produce a video of her rap for the site, alas time does not permit. Her CR rap is too fabulous not to share with all of you and so with no further ado, I am pleased to present…

Rap Ode To Carine Roitfeld
By Morgan Von Steen

Carine Roitfeld is one bad bitch.
When it comes to creating beauty, she gets off without a hitch.

I miss her at French Vogue. Team Carine all the way.
But it's nice to have her in New York. That's all I have to say.

I've spent my summer internship here walking down the streets.
I've kept my eyes out. She's the one I'd like to meet.

I want my hands on a copy of CR at this moment.
It's going to be killer. It's Carine. You know it!

I'm already applying to be part of her team.
To work in her presence would be a serious dream.

When I saw her at the CFDA Awards, I could only bow down.
When we watched her walk the carpet, I swear no one could frown.

We waved furiously like morons, and she gave us a smile.
It's a story I will pass down, when I have a child.

She is incredible, and inspiring, and it's news to no one.
I've seen almost every image of the things she has done.

Those Chanel ads are always stuck on my mind.
I want pink eyebrows, cat ears, with a tail in behind.

From black leather, to an infusion of color,
I'll always be a fan of her styling. Call me Carine Lover.

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Carine Roitfeld photographs courtesy of Fashion Spot. Collage by Kellina de Boer.

You Know You Want Carine Roitfeld's Kim Kardashian Tee

You Know You Want Carine Roitfeld's Kim Kardashian Tee
By Jascmeen Bush

No Home Depot onesie this time around, for Carine Roitfeld's latest "7 Ways" she reinvents a Comme des Garçons vest beautifully. Carine wears the vest backwards, sideways, diagonally, and even tucked into a Louis Vuitton logo belt with a… What is that? A CR FASHION BOOK ISSUE 3 COVER TEE! Even if you're not a Kim Kardashian fan, this tee is definitely a collector's item. You can buy it on the CR Fashion Book site, it comes packaged with a copy of Issue 3 and a CR Fashion Book tote. What I want to know is, who's willing to pay $50 for the set when they already have the issue just to get the tee? Just me? Am I alone over here?

[Editor's note: I find it extraordinary and so Carine that the seam of her stocking is painted on with eyeliner here, quelle chic !]

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CR Fashion Book images courtesy of crfashionbook.com

Carine Roitfeld In "The Client"

Carine Roitfeld In "The Client"
By Jessica Eritou

In spirit of Carine Roitfeld's documentary Mademoiselle C, IWTBAR explores the documentary short “The Client,” filmed two years ago by the same director and producer of the full length film, Fabien Constant. The filming took place during Paris Couture Week in 2011 covering over twenty fashion shows for W Magazine.

What makes this short significant is that fans of Roitfeld can watch as she selects, fits, and models the couture gowns she usually styles for herself, only this time for W, in the editorial "The One and Only" for their October issue in 2011.

Constant follows Roitfeld as she ventures all week to various fashion shows, in her car, meeting fans who want to put her signed photos up on eBay. In classic Roitfeld fashion, she dryly admits it's a good idea since you can see how much you are worth.

The short includes coverage from Giorgio Armani Privé, where, at an early 10 a.m. show there is already champagne flowing for the guests. “I'm here to be fitted in the clothes,” she explains to Giorgio himself after the show.

We see Roitfeld meeting Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy Couture as the location was set up in a quaint showroom as if it were for Louis XVI.

The best part of the short captures Roitfeld explaining how she is wearing all these different pieces but still wants the clothing to be about her with shirts and skirts since they are her staples. You can see her genius reaction to what she is wearing and in what she feels most comfortable. Constant filmed Roitfeld outside speaking to him where she says, “To be Carine, it's mostly a skirt.” And it's true.

At her stop at Alaïa, the designer himself said to her, “Listen, when you look after clients, that's how you learn. Because if you don't see how a design is worn or what women want, or how they want to wear it, you're just designing in a void. And that isn't good.” Frankly, this is some of the best advice for anyone in the design world.

The W issue featuring Roitfeld, shot by Paolo Roversi, captured her feminine yet strong aesthetic. We are able to see Roitfeld's personality through the clothes immensely. A favorite would be the black-and-white image of her in the military gusset pocketed day suit by Chanel which leads off this article.

Despite her privilege and connection in the fashion world, Carine Roitfeld comes across as humble throughout the short. For those who may not have been able to catch Constant's full documentary in theatres, this will give you a sneak peek while we wait for the home release of Mademoiselle C in 2014.

View "The Client"

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Carine Roitfeld photographs © 2011 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.

Find Your Personal Style With Carine Roitfeld

Find Your Personal Style With Carine Roitfeld
By Jascmeen Bush

Leave it to Carine Roitfeld to make the eternal quest for personal style fulfillment sound so easy, so effortless, so French. The super-stylist/mogul/leather-clad heroine recently dished her seemingly simplistic style secrets to Telegraph. Let's break them down, shall we?

Rule Number One: Stick To What Suits You

The glorious paradox of Carine Roitfeld is that she evokes a strong powerful mood whether she's dressed sharply or femininely. I was surprised to read the quote below where she mentions having fun with fashion, which we all can agree is a lost art.

She told Telegraph, "I have dressed in the same way for the past 20 years; only the length of my skirt has changed. Consistent style shows confidence, and knowing what suits you saves time when you are choosing what to wear. I only have one fashion personality — the Carine one — which I would describe as sober and almost classically Parisian. She is tough, my woman. It's important to have a sense of humor about dressing, so I always add a twist to my outfits. My Givenchy sweater with a Bambi-cartoon print is one of my favorite pieces."

Rule Number Two: Highlight Your Strengths

This one's a doozy; Carine recommends focusing on playing up what you like instead of trying to downplay unflattering features. I for one literally clapped when I read that!

"Find something you like about your appearance and accentuate it," she stated. "My eyebrows and legs are my best features. I like to wear black eye make-up to draw attention to my eyes and brows, and my wardrobe contains mostly fitted clothes. With my black eyes, black clothes and skinny legs, my style can appear quite rock 'n' roll."

Rule Number Three: Don't Shop The Trends

I'm not a big fan of trends and as a result have often been called boring (can you imagine?!) But the next time I get hit with the B-word, I'll be sure to remind the naysayers that I have a very stylish ally. Here's what Carine had to say about those evil trends:

"Only buy clothes that you plan to keep forever. It's important to see trends for what they are: a game. I think finding a well-fitting garment is more exciting than buying into a crazy fad. My panther-print Azzedine Alaïa dress (autumn/winter 2010) is one of my signature pieces and fits me perfectly. Black items are an investment, and though colors have a place in my wardrobe too, I never mix them: my outfits are all-black, all-white, or all-khaki."

Rule Number Five: Choose Pieces With Character

Well I guess we can stop Google Image searching "Carine Roitfeld in leggings." She made it pretty clear that comfort is NOT key.

"'Comfort' is not part of my fashion vocabulary," she says. "You lose attitude when you feel too comfortable, so I prefer to wear clothes that have a certain edge to them. I think of my lace negligee as sexy rather than relaxing, and I keep that feeling in mind when I wear it under my clothes for fittings or shopping."

Rule Number Six: Dress From The Head Down

Brace yourself for this one: your perfectly styled hair and blended-to-perfection makeup might be hurting your overall look. Carine suggests sexy messiness above all.

"My hair and make-up secret is 'the messier the better,'" she said. "It's easy for me as I can't see anything without my glasses. I never put my eyeliner on very well in the morning, so it's usually smudged. I think it's sexy, plus it always looks better come the evening. And messy hair adds a certain youthfulness to a look. Like everyone, I am trying to hide the signs of ageing as I get older, though I do respect my age."

What I found most refreshing is that following these tips won't break the bank. Steer clear of trends? I can do that. Only spend on clothes I can wear forever? Ease up on the hair and makeup? I can handle that, too. Cost effective Parisian chic, that's what we have here, people. And I'm loving it.

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Carine Roitfeld photographs courtesy of buro247.ru, zimbio.com, harpersbazaar.com, style.com