Introducing... Lee Ferguson, Contributing Editor

I am honored to present the latest addition to I Want To Be A Roitfeld — Lee Ferguson, our new contributing editor! Lee will be sharing her beautiful illustrations with us more regularly now and may even turn her pencil to writing as time allows. I am thrilled to welcome this lovely talent to the team! Please visit Lee's blog A Lefthanded Life to see more of her amazing work.

I am an artist with an addiction to fashion magazines. I've been poring over them for years. And of all the fashionable ladies who blaze a path of sartorial self-expression today, Carine Roitfeld is my personal hero. The self that she has crafted — a fiercely intelligent and witty woman, in passionate pursuit of beauty and extreme boundaries — is perfectly reflected in the way she styles her outward appearance, from her clothes, her hair, her makeup, and the upkeep of her body. What femme d'un certain âge wouldn't be inspired? So it is with immense pleasure that I join the team that shares my little fantasy of Wanting to be a Roitfeld.

Lee Ferguson photograph © 2011 Lee Ferguson. All Rights Reserved.

Carine Roitfeld: Irreverent At Colette

Only 483 hours remaining until the long awaited release of Carine Roitfeld: Irreverent and here is the subject of my favorite book posed with a display in her honor at Colette in Paris. Carine will be signing advance copies of her forthcoming biography at Colette for one hour this Saturday, 1 October from 15:00 to 16:00; please let me know if you are among the blessed, I live for the vicarious thrill.

I don't know about you, but I began awaiting Carine's biography in March 2010 when it was first announced as Album of A Woman of Fashion. I will be very interested to see if any of our questions made the pages of Irreverent. In case you missed it the first time, here are the questions I sent to Purple in hopes of being answered by Carine herself.

1. Can you give us an example of the foods and beverages that you consume regularly, particularly those that you consider staples?
2. Do you practice Pilates at home or with a group? How regularly and for what duration do you practice?
3. What advice would you give to an aspiring writer? Stylist? Editor-in-chief?
4. What beauty products do you use faithfully?
5. What questions do you have for your readers?
6. What do you want for your birthday?
7. Describe for us a moment that you remember in a breathtaking natural setting: how did it feel, look, smell? What were you wearing?
8. What are your ten (or so) favorite albums? Films? Books?
9. If you were to change your name, what would it become?
10. Do you know how much your fans love you? Keep up your brilliant work!!

Carine Roitfeld photograph courtesy of twitter.com/coletteparis

Tom Ford X Carine Roitfeld: Carine Bag

You may have noticed the sexy clutch that Carine Roitfeld holds over one eye on her cover for the Fall 2011 issue of i-D Magazine, fondly known as the "Carine" bag. This beauty is designed by Carine and Tom Ford, one of fashion's favorite duos, for Monsieur Ford's Fall/Winter line. The flap bag features gold metal hardware including a chain handle covered partially in hand-stitched leather while the shackle closure references the fetish chic for which the pair is famous. Available in alligator, goat skin, nappa leather, patent, python, or suede, the "Carine" is sure to please season after season. Special thanks to Beth Terry for calling this collaboration to my attention.

"Carine" bag images © 2011 Tom Ford. All Rights Reserved.

Sergio Rossi: Dedicated To Carine Roitfeld

It has been an eventful few weeks for admirers of Carine Roitfeld with seemingly nonstop coverage of her every move. The latest news suggests that Francesco Russo, creative director for Sergio Rossi, is one of her biggest fans: he has designed a shoe in her honor. The olive green python and suede beauties that Carine wore throughout New York Fashion Week are emblazoned with the words "Dedicated to Carine Roitfeld" on the inner soles. Available only through Barneys New York, these sexy limited edition Sergio Rossi sandals are the perfect tribute to La Roitfeld.

Carine Roitfeld and Sergio Rossi photographs © 2011 Sergio Rossi, Condé Nast, and Kenya's Style. All Rights Reserved.

Happy 57th Birthday Carine Roitfeld!

Thanks to the lovely and talented Lee Ferguson of A Lefthanded Life, I am proud to share with you this beautiful portrait of Carine Roitfeld created especially in honor of her 57th birthday. Happy Birthday, Carine! Bisous!

Carine Roitfeld illustration © 2011 Lee Ferguson. All Rights Reserved.