Juergen Teller

Carine Roitfeld and Juergen Teller have combined their talents innumerable times over the last few years to create memorable fashion images for Vogue Paris, such as the editorial pictured above, "Strip-Jean." Model Raquel Zimmerman teases us via her denim outifts styled by Carine and shot by Juergen for the May 2009 issue of Vogue Paris.

Widely considered to be one of the most influential fashion photographers shooting today, Teller achieves his raw, overexposed style wielding a Contax G2 camera with onboard flash. Born in 1964 in Erlangen, Germany, Teller studied at the Bayerische Staatslehranstalt für Photograhie in Munich and developed his interest in portraiture. He began snapping photos of celebrities, mostly musical, including then unknown Nirvana. In 1986, he moved to London where he now lives and works. From shooting the rising stars of grunge music Teller went on to help shape grunge fashion via his lens' perspective. His partner and mother of his daughter is art director Venetia Scott. If you are interested in exploring his work further, I definitely recommend Juergen Teller Go-Sees.

For those in the New York area, don't miss Juergen Teller's Fashion Week talk with Cathy Horyn of The New York Times. The free discussion of his work is open to the public at the Visual Arts Theater at 333 W. 23rd Street on September 12 at 7 p.m. Additionally, a new exhibition of Teller's work will be on display beginning September 10 at the Lehmann Maupin Gallery and his photographs will be showcased at the New Museum for the launch of Shoot, along with the work of Nan Goldin and Wolfgang Tillmans.

Raquel Zimmerman in "Strip-Jean" editorial from Vogue Paris May 2009 © 2009 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.
Juergen Teller "ME 1, selfportrait, 2000" image courtesy of Fotomuseum Im Stadtmuseum, Munich.

Styl'up

Carine Roitfeld always looks perfect, in part because she ensures that her clothing fits exactly, underlining that chic, angular edge to her look. She achieves this precise fit by making frequent visits to what Carine refers to as "her retoucher." For alterations, Carine prefers Styl'up on Rue Pasquier in Paris. If you despair of ever finding garments that fit correctly, adopt the Roitfeld philosophy: “Everything I have I take to be altered because nothing is perfect or exactly the right length” says Carine herself who is renowned for always wearing her slim pencil skirts to just the same point on the knee. Emmanuelle Alt also uses this tailor, so chances are there may be a waiting list...

Carine Roitfeld photograph courtesy of rockthetrend.com

Le Corbusier

Carine Roitfeld describes the décor of her Vogue Paris office as "very minimalist because it's better for my mind. When everything is clean and empty it cools me down; if someone brings in pictures or articles to show me, I can see them better." In keeping with this chic minimalist vibe, she works on two beautiful Le Corbusier tables, using one as a desk and the other as a conference table. The Roitfeld family dining table was formerly a desk that belonged to Le Corbusier.

Le Corbusier was born Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris, a Swiss-French architect, furniture designer, writer, painter, and sculptor who helped to pioneer modern design. He adopted the pseudonym Le Corbusier in 1920, from the name of his maternal grandfather, "Lecorbésier"; this act reflected his belief that we are all capable of reinvention. Cassina S.p.A. of Milan is the only manufacturer authorized by the Fondation Le Corbusier to produce his furniture designs today.

Carine Roitfeld Vogue Paris office photographs courtesy of fashionspot.com

Romy Schneider

As others have noted, it looks as if one of Carine Roitfeld's style icons may have influenced the latest cover. Lara Stone appears on the cover of the September issue of Vogue Paris looking like an old-fashioned pinup girl or a bit like Romy Schneider. Both Carine and Julia count this Austrian actress among their style inspirations. Romy made her film debut at a mere 15 years of age and went on to garner prizes for her acting in France, Italy, Spain, Germany, and the United States. Sadly, her later years were marked by tragedy: her first husband committed suicide and her 14 year old son died in a horrible accident. Less than a year after the death of her son, Romy was found dead of cardiac arrest—she was only 43 years old. Her legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of fans, however; most recently she was commemorated in a techno track by Lawrence entitled "Teaser" on the Dial label based in Hamburg, Germany. If you have not had the pleasure, I recommend her film La Piscine with the added bonus of a young Jane Birkin.

Romy Schneider photograph courtesy of tvdame.wordpress.com

L'appartement 217

Carine Roitfeld likes L'appartement 217 for her body treatments, or as the spa's web site states, "soin de corps et d'esprit" (care of body and spirit). Located in the first arrondissement on rue Saint-Honoré in Paris, this sanctuary in the Hausmann style has been perfected by Feng Shui experts to be a place of total calm. All products used are natural, the kimonos for guests are made out of organic pine tree pulp "soft and downy as silk", the water in the spa is decalcified, and the electrical waves are insulated to neutralize any harmful effects. Conceived by Stéphane Jaulin (formerly beauty director for Colette), this spacious, well-lighted setting is a haven of calm in urban Paris. Stop into L'appartement 217 for a facial or massage and soothe your body and spirit beautifully.

Image of L'appartement 217 courtesy of vogue.fr