Carine Roitfeld Quits Vogue Paris

I have no real information but I will add details as available. I thought I should give us space to begin grieving and speculating so feel free to comment with your theories as to why Carine Roitfeld is leaving Vogue Paris. What could possibly be better?! Who could ever take her place?!

Carine Roitfeld photograph © Condé Nast and Hedi Slimane. All Rights Reserved. Vogue Paris cover image featuring Carine Roitfeld created by Kellina de Boer.

Update on vendredi 17 décembre 2010 by kellina

Here is the statement issued by Condé Nast regarding Carine Roitfeld's departure from Vogue Paris in both French and English:

Après 10 années passées à la rédaction en chef de Vogue Paris, Carine Roitfeld décide de quitter le magazine. Son départ sera effectif dans quelques semaines. Carine Roitfeld souhaite se consacrer à des projets personnels qui lui tiennent à cœur. Sous son impulsion, Vogue Paris est devenu une référence mondiale et un magazine incontournable. Carine Roitfeld a su donner au magazine une dimension nouvelle, avec un regard audacieux en collaboration avec les plus grands photographes du monde. Ces 10 années se sont traduites par une croissance constante des performances tant en diffusion qu’en publicité de Vogue Paris. « Carine a marqué l’histoire du Vogue Paris grâce à son incroyable talent de styliste et de rédactrice en chef. Elle va nous manquer » déclare Jonathan Newhouse, Président de Condé Nast International. « Je regrette bien sur la décision de Carine, même si je la comprends. Une page se tourne et une nouvelle étape commence pour cette marque solide, puissante et sûre de ses valeurs » déclare Xavier Romatet, Président de Condé Nast France.

After ten years as editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris, Carine Roitfeld has decided to quit the magazine. Her departure will take effect in a few weeks. Carine Roitfeld wants to dedicate herself to personal projects that are close to her heart. Under her leadership, Vogue Paris has become a worldwide reference and an inescapable magazine. Carine Roitfeld has given the magazine a new dimension, with an audacious look in collaboration with the best photographers in the world. These ten years have translated into constant improvement in both performance and advertising revenues at Vogue Paris. "Carine has graced the history of Vogue Paris with her incredible talent as a stylist and editor. She will be missed," said Jonathan Newhouse, president of Condé Nast International. "I regret the decision by Carine, although I understand it. A page turns and a new stage begins for this brand, strong, powerful, and sure of its values," said Xavier Romatet, president of Condé Nast France.

Text © 2010 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.

Update on samedi 18 décembre 2010 by kellina

Visit fashionologie for a lovely ode to Carine Roitfeld highlighting 100 of her influential Vogue Paris images.

Update on samedi 18 décembre 2010 by kellina

Based on his comments to The New York Times, it seems that a collaboration with Tom Ford is not the impetus behind Carine Roitfeld's decision to leave Vogue Paris:

“Carine and I have no plans to work together at the moment, and it is nothing that we have even discussed, but of course I think she is brilliant and we are close friends so who knows about the future.”

Update on samedi 18 décembre 2010 by kellina

Carine Roitfeld told The New York Times that she expects the March issue of Vogue Paris to be her last, happy birthday to me! But you need a plan, Carine...

"I had so much freedom to do everything I wanted. I think I did a good job. When everything is good, maybe I think it's the time to do something else. I have no plan at all."

Update on samedi 18 décembre 2010 by kellina

According to Trendland, Carine Roitfeld may have been fired by Condé Nast:

"Our sources have revealed that she was fired as a cause of not complying with a request from LVMH group for the December issue. Apparently LVMH wanted a full issue takeover for December but Carine preferred collaborating with friend and long time collaborator Tom Ford. So it seems LVMH boss gave Condé Nast boss a call and an ultimatum, her or us…"

Update on lundi 20 décembre 2010 by kellina

I think this confirms that the LVMH rumor is false (or perhaps a snow job):

Next week Carine Roitfeld will be featured on Nowness.com, a web site owned by LVMH, as part of their “12 Days of Christmas" series. Appearing December 27, the piece is titled “Three French Hens” and also includes Josephine de la Baume and Laetitia Crahay. Among other things, Carine will divulge her plan for New Year's Eve. Though of course we are more interested in her plan for the coming year...

Update on lundi 20 décembre 2010 by kellina

My dear friend Milla from the blog Not Just Another Milla has written a beautiful letter of tribute to Carine, "Dear Madame Roitfeld."

Update on mardi 21 décembre 2010 by kellina

My lovely friend Kate from the blog Everyday Glamour pays tribute to Carine in her own witty way... "Carine VS. Anna." Clearly Carine wins...

Update on mardi 21 décembre 2010 by kellina

Thanks to be.com, I think I am beginning to get the picture:

"Rajoutez aux crasses de Carine des divergences de point de vue avec Bernard Arnault, propriétaire de LVMH. Aux dernières nouvelles la carte blanche offerte à Tom Ford sur le dernier numéro de Noël, aucun annonceur du groupe de Bernard Arnault n'y figurait, c'est la goutte d'eau qui a fait déborder le vase. Et évidemment, lorsqu'un poids lourd comme Bernard Arnault menace de retirer ses annonceurs, ça se corse ... Et Carine se retrouve à Pôle Emploi."

Unlike past guest editors of the December/January issue of Vogue Paris, Tom Ford had an agenda — he has a brand new women's clothing line that the general public had virtually never seen prior to this issue! Carine Roitfeld gave him carte blanche (and consequently Condé Nast's money, influence, and distribution) to promote his line on the editorial pages. In my opinion, Carine was neither fired nor quit, they simply made her an offer she could not refuse. Note that this is not a translation but my own interpretation of the events as known. Special thanks to Sophie Tagel for sending me the article.

Comments

[salomé]

elle va nous manquer.. ;)
ps: je l'ai dessinée sur mon blog ;)
http://blondpantheretlouboutin.blogspot.com/2010/12/panther-carine-roitfeld.html#links

[SMM]

Kellina,

I read the Trendland piece, and if it's true it amounts to little short of a temper tantrum on the part of the good folks at LVMH. If in fact she chose her beloved friend Mr. Ford over their fist-shaking threats makes it even worse for LVMH, as they wanted to 'acquire' him while still at Gucci. But during final negotiations, Ford demanded an 'exit clause' written into the potential LVMH take over--meaning that if the deal went through he was not staying. To avoid a nasty public scene, LVMH relinquished all their shares in Gucci and went home with their tales between their legs. Lots of bad blood there.

Carine will land. . .and land gracefully; she always does. It all just seems so extreme. . .

[Veiled]

Kellina, you're up on it so this won't surprise you but it's from Racked, a little different from what I'd heard -

http://racked.com/archives/2010/12/20/rumor-was-carine-roitfeld-fired-from-vogue-le-figaros-fashion-director-virginie-mouzat-is-frontrunne.php

[kellina]

Merci, Salomé, j'adore votre dessin.

[kellina]

It does seem extreme, SMM, but who knows what has gone on behind the scenes. Also remember that egos and money are involved...

[kellina]

Thank you, Veiled, I had not yet read that exact piece. I think Styleite offers a few valid arguments as to why the firing rumor does not make sense:

http://www.styleite.com/media/carine-roitfeld-fired/

[Kate]

Wow! Thank you for the link! :D

[kellina]

Mon plaisir, Kate ! Love your post! But return the "uck" to its rightful place...

; )

[Dru]

Also, under French labour laws it's not so easy to "fire" an employee as people seem to think- despite the rumours, and of course there MAY be people who want her out of the magazine, but it wouldn't be so easy for them to achieve it as most people in favour of the 'sacking' theory seem to think.

[21centurydressmaker]

by the way, i love your blog and more than ever now the venue to enjoy the fabulous Roitfeld style.

[kellina]

Interesting, Dru, I was not aware of that. I am thinking it is more like a "layoff" than a "firing."

[kellina]

So very kind of you to say, Nancy! Thank you for making my day! Like most editors, I am currently adrift without a plan. I liked having a mental calendar for the site to dwell on, right now all I have to consider are questions...

[kellina IV]

A new wave of rumors !

http://www.news-de-stars.com/carine-roitfeld/carine-roitfeld-va-piloter-le-lancement-du-magazine-vanity-fair-france_mrm180207.html

Enjoy !

K.

[Milla]

J'espère que cela est vrai, mais j'en doute. J'ai lu que le rédacteur en chef de Madame Figaro peut devenir "la nouvelle Carine"... Who knows, we just have wait and see I guess.

[kellina IV]

"Madame Figaro meets Vogue" is dangerously sureal...

[kellina IV]

Follow me on:

www.iwanttobeamouzat.com

Coming soon

;-)

[Milla]

Classic! No, she doesn't do it for me (plus Le Figaro is banned in this house - I have to sneak the weekend issue in!). Who do you fancy to fill Carine's shoes Kellina IV?

[noelani]

I can't wait to see what Carine's next step is....I just hope she doesn't keep us in suspense for too long. I am excited to see what she does and see it all documented here, my go to source for all the Carine drama (shocking), news (thanks for all the updates), and projects (what on earth will follow?!).

[kellina IV]

I do not know, Milla... I'd love a British.

My dream: Nick Knight.

[kellina]

Thank you kindly for the link, Kellina II (or is it IV... who is counting... what happened to trois...) We must keep the rumor mill percolating until Carine's next move is known... Do you think she will go to Vanity Fair France?

[kellina]

It is sure to be fabulous, Milla, and worth the excruciating wait! x

[kellina]

 Ha ha ha, Kellina II/IV! I adore your sharp wit! Looking forward to IWTBAM...

[kellina]

Milla, you have to fill us in — why is Le Figaro banned in your household??

[kellina]

Noelani, the suspense is killlllllllllllling me! Must. Have. Plan. SOON! Thank you for your kind compliments, dear, I will strive to keep you posted...

[kellina]

Kellina II/IV/VI/VIII, that is the first time I have seen Nick Knight mentioned, fine choice!

[kellina n (n>1)]

"Kellina II/IV/VI/VIII..." Christmas is a time for family togetherness. We are all reunited ;-) !

Nick Knight, I know, is a fabulous choice but highly sureal.

Enjoy Christmas time

K.

[kellina]

Kellina II, you do amuse me to the nth power! I am glad we are together in this.

; )

My very warmest wishes to you for a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year! You deserve it.

: D

[kellina n (n>1)]

Thank you ! I will distribute your wishes to the n-members of my large family :-)

Best,

k.

[Milla]

Whilst the British are obviously fabulous and could do a great job, I'm not sure who would be able to fill Carine's shoes. Suggestions? I don't want to see some ridiculous celebrity on the cover of Vogue Paris - British & American Vogue do this far too much.

Le Figaro has right-wing tendencies and we're not down that! Madame Figaro is a wonderful fashion-packed weekly though.

VF France - no. She seems much more interested in styling. Who knows though...

x

PS - isn't this the longest exchange of comments ever!? Fab!

[kellina]

Please do give them my best, kellina n (n>1). N-othing would be n-icer.

[kellina]

Milla, darling, I hate to state the obvious but clearly there is no substitute for Carine Roitfeld. I apologize in advance for inadvertently offending the next editor-in-chief of the publication but no one can measure up and Vogue Paris will suffer. Good to know re LF and MF. As for VF, d'accord, non.

I am loving the lengthy exchange of comments! I am still a bit displeased at the topic but once we know what is next I will simmer down. I am really happy that so many people feel comfortable expressing their perspectives here, it is a strange time in the world of fashion.

x

[mimi (cigalechanta)]

Yesterday, I bought the December issue and was disappointed. I don't like to see Children
dressd as adults in sexy clothes, I wonder if this has anything to do with IF she were fired.
The sexy calendar that came along with the issue was amazing!
Merry Christmas everyone.

[debbie]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.........................it will NEVER be the same. :(

[MilaneseGAL]

You can only go if you come to American Vogue ! Will al do respect to Ms Wintour whom I adore! All the best your years at French Vogue will make History.
Www.milanesegal.blogspot.com

[kellina]

Mimi, I am sorry to hear that you did not find the December issue appealing. I cannot say that I understand the intention of the editorial that you mentioned but I was not offended by it. It seems that many were however! Did you buy your copy on a US newsstand? If so, I am surprised that it came bundled with the calendar, what luck! Happy New Year!

[kellina]

Debbie, I COMPLETELY agree with your statement! There is only one Carine Roitfeld.

[kellina]

MilaneseGAL, thank you for making me laugh. I think Carine would find the restrictions of the American audience horrifying. I would love to be wrong about this, but I doubt that mainstream middle America is ready for Carine's vision...

[MilaneseGAL]

Kellina Darling! Sorry in responding months later to your acute observation.... Just an idea... If America was ready for Obama is ready for a second Revolution! It will be The Carine the most powerful fashion storm! Good Fashion Storm! We need Carine! Love your messages, I am sure M.me CR have a kick too....hugs www.milanesegal.blogspot.com

[kellina]

MilaneseGAL — let it RAIN!!!!!!!!!!

To take your message to the extreme while simultaneously expressing my own feelings: M.me CR for President!

I love your messages, too, please send them more regularly! Our viewpoint needs all possible representation!

;-)

Most sincerely and with hugs
Kellina
xx