Why is Giovanna Battaglia—aka Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld's squeeze—always featured prominently on the site? Because she evokes such a visceral response in me. When I just caught sight of this photograph, I reacted by going "ch-ch-cha" with my teeth, it was my natural reply to her fierce chic. Looks styled by Giovanna for herself in the past have elicited jazz, poetry, and other symbolic references from me, she has it. And I love it. This time it is an old lyric that I prefer to be delivered by Billie Holiday, ch-ch-cha!
It was winter in Manhattan
Falling snowflakes filled the air
The streets were covered with a film of ice
But a little simple magic that I'd heard about somewhere
Changed the weather all around, just within a trice
You bought me violets for my furs
And it was spring for a while, remember?
You bought me violets for my furs
And there was April in that December
The snow drifted on the flowers and melted where it lay
The snow looked like dew on the blossoms
As on a summer day
You bought me violets for my furs
And there was blue in the wintry sky
You pinned the violets to my furs
And gave a lift to the crowds passing by
You smiled at me so sweetly
Since then one thought occurs
That we fell in love completely
The day you bought me violets for my furs
Giovanna Battaglia photograph © 2010 life.com. All Rights Reserved.
"Violets For Your Furs" lyrics © 1941 Thomas Adair. All Rights Reserved.