Vogue Paris Translation: Editorial, April 2010

Below is my translation from French to English of the editorial written by Carine Roitfeld for the April issue of Vogue Paris. In searching for a way to help us understand McQueen's tragic last act, Carine turns naturally to her Russian heritage:

Écho conscient ou non à l'année culturelle France-Russie, Vogue a l'âme slave. Natalia Vodianova, néo-Peau d'âne aux cheveux de feu, pose dans des robes uniques réalisées en exclusivité par les plus grands créateurs dont le produit de la ventre ira à la fondation pour les enfants russes défavorisés créée par la top model. L'héritière Maria Baibakova, mécène en stilettos Alaïa, passionnée d'art contemporain, ouvre les portes de sa datcha de verre située dans le Beverly Hills de Moscou : aux murs, Cindy Sherman, Thomas Ruff, Andreas Gursky ou encore Damien Hirst témoignent de l'œil affûté et d l'ouverture d'esprit de la jeune femme. Quant à Daria Werbowy, elle incarne une muse des steppes cinq étoiles.

Si je repense aux défilés intenses, mémorables, parfois violents d'Alexander McQueen, à son imaginaire sous tension, électrisé par des visions aux antipodes qui convoquaient le futurisme, les contes fantastiques, le baroque, le bondage ou encore des batailles sanglantes, je me dis que la Russie a dû héberger l'inspiration du couturier. Ses tourments avaient le sel de 'lest, et le final de son existence, qu'il a lui-même mis en scène, est un épilogue tragique. Alexander McQueen a mis fin à ses jours en février dernier, la mode a perdu l'un de ses plus grands couturiers, un génie émouvant dont chaque défilé était une messe. Ce numéro lui est dédié.

Echo conscious or not of the French-Russian cultural year, Vogue has Slavic soul. Natalia Vodianova, the new Donkeyskin with fiery hair, poses in unique dresses made exclusively by the greatest creators whose proceeds will go to the foundation for underprivileged Russian children created by the top model. The heiress Maria Baibakova, a philanthropist in Alaïa stilettos, impassioned by contemporary art, opens the doors of her glass cottage located in the Beverly Hills of Moscow: on the walls, Cindy Sherman, Thomas Ruff, Andreas Gursky or even Damien Hirst testify to the sharp eye and the open spirit of the young woman. With regard to Daria Werbowy, she plays a five-star muse of the steppes.

If I recall the shows intense, memorable, sometimes violent of Alexander McQueen, his imaginary power, electrified by the visions of the antipodes which summoned the futurism, the fantastic tales, the baroque, the bondage or even the bloody battles, I say that Russia has played host to the designer's inspiration. His torments had the salt of ballast, and the finale of his existence which he himself has staged, is a tragic epilogue. Alexander McQueen ended his days in February this year, fashion has lost one of its greatest designers, a moving genius whose every show was a mass. This issue is dedicated to him.

Vogue Paris editorial image © 2010 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.

Comments

[Kate]

I really like that picture of Alexander McQueen. And as usual, Carine's writing style makes me curious to see the magazine!

[mike]

Thanks for the translation, Kellina. At first glance, I thought that was a picture of Brad Pitt, aka Tyler Durden from Fight Club.

[kellina]

Hi, Kate!

Agreed, I like that Carine chose such a street image of Monsieur McQueen, very fitting.

This issue of Vogue Paris is a beauty! I love Baibakova's glass house aka petit art museum, the editorials are gorgeous, and the little Russian touches, c'est parfait. Plus "Une Fille Un Style" is Catherine Baba, c'est fantastique!

[kellina]

Mon plaisir, Michel. Heh, I see the likeness, funny boy. It always comes back to Fight Club. Though I thought the first rule of Fight Club was that you were not supposed to talk about it...