CR Fashion Book Issue 6: Jolie Laide

Kitty Hayes in Versace

For her sixth issue of CR Fashion Book, Carine Roitfeld dares to use seven burgeoning models to illustrate the concept of "Jolie Laide," her theme for the issue. The three covers show Kitty Hayes in Versace; Sarah Brannon, Julia Hafstrom, and Antonina Petkovic in Chanel; and Issa Lish, Stella Lucia, and Molly Bair in Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane as photographed by Karl Lagerfeld and Anthony Maule.  The "Jolie Laide" issue celebrates "individual character over pure good looks… and features the new guard of models that represents the way Carine Roitfeld views beauty for 2015." I simply cannot wait for this issue! Appearing on newsstands beginning 5 March.

Sarah Brannon, Julia Hafstrom, and Antonina Petkovic in Chanel

Issa Lish, Stella Lucia, and Molly Bair in Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane

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CR Fashion Book images courtesy of crfashionbook.com.

CR Fashion Book Issue 6: Jolie Laide Preview

Carine Roitfeld has revealed that the sixth issue of CR Fashion Book will focus on the French concept of jolie laide. Her idea of the unusually beautiful so far includes Anna Cleveland by Brigitte Niedermair, Kylie Jenner by Michael Avedon, Kristen Stewart by Karl Lagerfeld, and Alexandra Hochguertel in "Boucherie Desnoyer" by Melanie Huynh and Arnaud Pyvka.

Regarding her inspiration for the issue, Carine Roitfeld shared her thoughts: “In fashion, it’s always better to be an interesting person than a beautiful one. Character is much more fascinating than pure good looks. This idea is what inspired me to dedicate an issue to jolie laide, a term that originated in the famous Serge Gainsbourg song of the same name… After hospital [following her multiple back surgeries], I was thinking, What’s my issue going to be about? Because it was very late. So I kept thinking. I like Serge Gainsbourg, the French singer, and he made a beautiful song about Anjelica Huston that I love, too, called 'Jolie Laide.' I think American people know this song. It means 'ugly beauty,' but I think jolie laide maybe is nicer. It’s true in life and mostly in this work of fashion that the idea of beauty has changed… The whole issue will be around this idea of jolie laide—not just about the beauty, but about fashion, about pictures, about something that is more interesting. I think it’s a very good sign for women because we are not all perfect. I made a long story about Michael Avedon; I asked him to do my ugly beauties, in a way. He did the portfolio of jolie laide and it is not easy to photograph a star and make her not as beautiful as people expect her to be. I think he did it in a very smart way; he is a very smart person…  I think every beauty needs something weird—a little error or it’s not beautiful.”

I'd like to mention that our style editor, Dara Block, originally suggested the theme of jolie laide for CR Fashion Book during an interview with me in October 2013; I posed the question, "If it were your decision, who would you put on the next cover of Vogue Paris? Vogue Italia? CR Fashion Book?" Dara responded, "I would love to see some of my favorite 90s supermodels on the cover of Vogue Paris, especially the ones I haven't seen in years like Meghan Douglas, Claudia Mason, Shana Zadrick. These girls were so beautiful in the 90s and I would love to know what they are up to and how they feel now about beauty and glamour. For Vogue Italia and CR Fashion Book, I think for either magazine, it would be interesting if they made a cover on the idea of jolie laide. The term is French and it basically means a good looking ugly woman. I think it's an offbeat beauty concept, but I would love to see women like Angelica Huston, Sofia Coppola, Rossy de Palma, and maybe even model Saskia de Brauw on the cover, to show how you can be beautiful in a non-traditional way. I think that would make for a groundbreaking cover... it's time we celebrate being non-perfectly pretty!" Note also that Franca Sozzani chose Sofia Coppola for the cover of Vogue Italia in February 2014. Coincidence? Perhaps….

In any event, we wish Carine all the best during her recovery and we look forward to much more jolie laide when CR Fashion Book 6 hits newsstands in March.

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CR Fashion Book images courtesy of crfashionbook.com.

Carine Roitfeld: Vanity Fair April 2005

Taking it back to 2005… I find it impossible to believe that a decade has passed since this interview with Carine Roitfeld appeared in the April issue of Vanity Fair. In the iconic image above, close friend and collaborator, Mario Testino captures the essence of Carine, at once classic and coquettish, in a jacket by Yves Saint Laurent, a skirt by Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière, and shoes by Sergio Rossi. In case you missed it the first time around, I want to share the interview with you, it is always pleasurable to learn more about the interests of our icon.

Carine Roitfeld
Photographed by Mario Testino in Paris on January 27, 2005.

Residence: Paris.

Occupation: Editor-in-chief, French Vogue.

Personal style: "French, classic, sexy… risky."

Favorite piece of clothing: A vintage Gypsy dress from Yves Saint Laurent.

Most stylish man: "My husband" [Christian "Sisley" Restoin].

Favorite up-and-coming designer: Riccardo Tisci.

Favorite piece of jewelry: A Cartier Panther bracelet from the 70s.

Favorite shoe designer: Saint Laurent. ("Very sexy high-heeled shoes with a touch of 'bizarre.'")

Favorite handbag: "The classic black Chanel."

Favorite scent: Opium pour Homme, by Yves Saint Laurent.

Favorite store: Decades in Los Angeles.

Favorite fashion trend: Summer polka dots.

Manolos or Louboutins? Manolos.

Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds.

Piercings or tattoos? None.

Favorite book: Bonjour Tristesse, by Françoise Sagan.

Favorite cause: AmfAR (The American Foundation for AIDS Research).

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Carine Roitfeld photos © 2005 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.

Carine Roitfeld: In The Stars

In her latest spread for Harper's Bazaar, "In the Stars," Carine Roitfeld interprets the twelve zodiacal signs by way of the season's fashion. Anthony Maule photographed the editorial while Stephen Gan provided creative direction. I applaud Carine's imaginative take on the zodiac, with amusing touches such as Saskia de Brauw giving herself the horns of the bull and Lara Stone as a mermaid complete with bubbles to create an underwater effect (as a Pisces, I approve!). Speaking of Lara Stone, she dominates the spread, appearing in eight of the thirteen images. What do you think of Carine's latest work, do you like her interpretation of your sign?

As for the complete list of models and attire for "In the Stars":

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Louis Vuitton

Aries (Ram)
Lara Stone in Coach and Maison Martin Margiela boots

Taurus (Bull)
Saskia de Brauw in Chanel, Carine Gilson, Wolford, and Maison Martin Margiela boots

Gemini (Twins)
Tegan Desmond and Sarah Brannon in Miu Miu

Cancer (Crab)
Lara Stone in Yohji Yamamoto

Leo (Lion)
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci

Virgo (Virgin)
Lara Stone in Dior

Libra (Scales)
Lara Stone in Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane

Scorpio (Scorpion)
Lara Stone in Michael Kors

Sagittarius (Archer)
Lara Stone in JW Anderson and Maison Martin Margiela boots

Capricorn (Goat)
Lara Stone in Prada and Maison Martin Margiela boots

Aquarius (Water Bearer)
Liu Wen in Céline

Pisces (Fish)
Lara Stone in Versace

Visit Harper's Bazaar for an exclusive behind-the-scenes video of "In the Stars"

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Carine on the Collections for Harper's Bazaar images © 2015 Hearst Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Carine Roitfeld For Chanel Spring/Summer 2015

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Chanel advertising campaign images © 2015 Chanel. All Rights Reserved.