Carine Roitfeld: Tango Des Passions

Happy Valentine's Day from all of us at I Want To Be A Roitfeld! The new editorial team came together to offer our different perspectives on "Tango des Passions" from the February 2006 issue of Vogue Paris; below are our thoughts. The editorial was clearly styled by Carine Roitfeld, photographed by Mario Testino, and included the models Mariacarla Boscono, Patricia Schmid, Milagros Schmoll, and Marta Berzkalna among others. What do you think of "Tango des Passions"?

KATE: I like the futuristic, floral vibe of this editorial. The models somehow look like pretty flowers even when they are not wearing a floral print. They are beautiful images but what is the story line here? Something about a girl who danced so hard that now she needs crutches. All I know is that those pink boots are hot.

KELLINA: Those boots are hot! I especially love that Carine contrasted them with the mint green wall for even greater effect. This is highly styled hedonism, Kellina likey! Wait a second though, isn't anyone going to mention the black rubber hoses worn by the women in the opening shot? What does Carine say about this one... "Démesure nouveau continent et influences europénnes, Buenos Aires s'offre en théâtre de mode, où le souffle du style de la plus parisienne des villes argentines se mêle aux ambiguïtés du désir et des corps." or in English, "New continent excessiveness and Europen influences, Buenos Aires offers a theater of fashion, where the breath of the style of the most Parisian of Argentine cities mingles with the ambiguities of desire and the body." C'mon, Carine, the tango has a great beat but it's so heteronormative — where is the excess, the ambiguity? The boots though, C! Those boots are hot!

MILLA: The sheer debauchery makes my life seem incredibly dull; I want to pose on the mantelpiece and do kung-fu in a ball gown. Who doesn't?! The illusional submissiveness as the women are tied up, arrested, and told off intrigues me, as they attempt to cast a spell over the viewer. This is very Carine! This editorial actually reminds me of when Giovanna Battaglia broke her toe and she, unlike you and I who would stay home with painkillers, went for cocktails in London! Now that's a woman who loves a party!

For more hearty Valentine's Day fun, check out "Girl Meets Boy" as styled by Emmanuelle Alt on I Want To Be An Alt or "Valentine's Day Treatise" on Everyday Glamour.

Vogue Paris editorial images © 2006 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.

Comments

[Cupcake]

This is very cool guys...all my favs in one blog!! And the verdict is....the boots are hot! Sanfrantastic! (i'm no tango expert but i'm thinkin' that first move ain't no tango?!)
Cupcake

[Jenney Surelia]

Haha, no it's not Tango, but his poses are not bad. I think he's a dancer : )

[Iñaki]

Maybe it's just me but there's something about the second picture that reminds me so much of that Gucci advert (with a woman's private parts on display) that Carine and Tom did back in the day.

xx

[theonlyfashionprincess]

love this post. lovely blog, please check out/follow mine too xoxo

[kellina]

Thanks so much, Cupcake, glad you like!!! Especially the boots!!

; )

As for the faux tango move, you got your answer...

xo

[kellina]

Thanks, Jenny! I'm happy we had a professional stop by to evaluate the situation.

: )

[kellina]

Iñaki, I had to consult the photo you mentioned, I believe it is the color scheme that reminds you of the Gucci ad. Also a similar stance in a peep toe...

xx

[kellina]

Thank you, TOFP! Hope we will see you here often.

xoxo

[Milla]

Editorials like this are exactly why I fell in love with Vogue Paris and Carine's work. Somehow she strikes the perfect balance between passion, fashion and drama without making it too fussy. Despite the colours and movement, one still notices the detailing and accessories, and Carine's subtle sense of humour (bad girl being scolded...).

[kellina]

Milla, I love your observation! How does La Roitfeld manage to convey all of this in a single picture? Genius.