The Evening Dresses Of Carine Roitfeld
By Dara Block
For some women, finding that perfect evening dress can be quite a challenge, but for Carine Roitfeld that has never been an issue. It is always interesting to watch and observe her audacious sense of style! Whether day casual or fancy at night, there truly is so much to be learned from her. Throughout the years, I have frequently noticed that Carine Roitfeld's trademark look has always been about high-heels, high-waisted jackets, close-fitting skirts, and of course black stockings. She definitely has created her own personal style, which is key to looking sleek and stylish when dressing up. With all that said, I thought it would be exciting to look back at some of Carine's greatest and most memorable red carpet evening looks. And also just for fun, I thought it would be appropriate to share some of my own evening gown illustrations inspired by Carine Roitfeld herself!
Let's start with this stunning black Givenchy gown by Riccardo Tisci that she recently wore to the 2012 amfAR Cinema Against AIDS event in May. I so love how form-fitted this black gown is to her figure. She looks completely elegant, yet cutting-edge, too and I love the added extra element of those long diamond earrings. They are the perfect complement to this standout black dress. This is an excellent example of how diamond jewelry should be worn.... as an accessory not an excessory!
Carine Roitfeld also shined in May of this year at the Met Gala in another amazing Givenchy Haute Couture black ensemble. I so love the looseness of this jacket-dress paired with those heels and how she reveals just the right amount of leg. She definitely exudes sensuality in this outfit, but still remains completely elegant and chic.
Back in 2011, Carine Roitfeld showed up at the Victoria's Secret Fashion show in this black velvet cocktail dress with cropped blazer. I feel like this is a signature Carine Roitfeld look that I never get tired of looking at. The cut and fit of this dress is quite impeccable and I love how confident and comfortable she looks in this ensemble. She proves that it is not just about the clothes, but about the attitude as well!
Carine Roitfeld also dazzled in this sheer feathered embroidered Givenchy couture evening gown at the amfAR Fashion Week 2011 kick off party. As much as I love seeing Carine Roitfeld in a dramatic black gown, I also love it when she brightens her look with a pale tone. I think she looks quite angelic in this frock. I so loved how this Givenchy looked on the runway and the way Carine Roitfeld interpreted it into her own sense of style... she certainly has a brilliant way of wearing couture.
In addition, Carine Roitfeld looked stunning in this long black evening gown with provocative sheer inserts for the Gucci Rue Royale re-opening party in 2011 during the Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week! She definitely knows how to spice up a black dress. The sheer inserts certainly leave more to the imagination and I so admire how she can always remain sexy yet demure at the same time.
Speaking of sex appeal, who could forget Carine Roitfeld back in 2010 when she arrived to the Ralph Lauren dinner to celebrate the opening of his store in Paris? ...In case you need to be refreshed, she totally turned heads in this lovely lace overlay bodysuit, with matching black cape and laced up boots! Whether you love or hate this look, you have to respect Carine Roitfeld for taking such a fashion risk with this risqué ensemble. Personally, I think she looks quite edgy and I always love it when she combines glamour with a little goth-edge. This was such an unforgettable look!
Going back to May of 2010, Carine Roitfeld "wowed" everyone in this floor length black evening gown with leopard bodice print at the amfAR Cinema Against AIDS benefit. I have always admired the way Carine could easily incorporate leopard and make it look so chic. She also amazed everyone back in 2009, in yet another leopard ensemble at the Dolce & Gabbana party. I so love the way she worked that one shoulder leopard print by D&G! I see so many women who attempt to wear leopard and they always make it look trashy by wearing it from head to toe. Carine Roitfeld knows that with leopard it is all about balance and mixing it with something solid like a black tone... these two looks prove that! There really is much to be learned from observing these pics on how to properly wear leopard.... Brava!
One of my all time favorite Carine Roitfeld gowns has to be this white asymmetrical Emilio Pucci dress that she wore in 2009 to the amfAR gala. I just love the overall Grecian quality and all that exquisite draping. Plus, those open toed black Alaïa heels are the perfect finishing touch... She certainly looks like a goddess! What I admire most about this dress is that you would actually never think that it is a Pucci creation, but I love how Carine Roitfeld can always manage to surprise us with her daring yet sophisticated dress choices!
If there is one Carine Roitfeld evening look that I am always continually inspired by it would have to be this asymmetrical black dress with matching blazer, stockings, and heels that she wore to an art event sponsored by Chanel in 2008. What I admire about this look is that it is a great example of personal style. It doesn't look as if she was dressed by a fashion label, but by herself... the way a true fashionista dresses! She looks glamorous, dark and edgy, with that blazer over her shoulders. Plus, I love that extra added punk element with that chain necklace... a very noir, mysterious, but yet sophisticated look!
Finally, I end my list with this Dolce & Gabbana dress that Carine Roitfeld wore back in 2007 during the Cannes Film Festival. I love how the dress is both sheer and corseted, but also embellished with design... a signature Dolce & Gabbana look. Personally, what I appreciate most about this frock is how Carine Roitfeld chose to pair it with red heels. Carine knows that accents are key to looking sharp. Sometimes, it is the right accessory like a shoe, a belt, or a piece of jewelry that is needed to make a look complete! This Dolce & Gabbana dress is really about personal style... which is what Carine Roitfeld does best!
With all that style analysis, I thought it would be appropriate to share some of my illustrations very much inspired by her amazing evening style... let's take a look!
I know Carine Roitfeld loves a long dramatic skirt so I thought this would look quite chic on her with a form-fitted jacket. She could definitely add a little goth-glamour to it with a pair of gloves... I would so love too see her at an event with an ensemble like this... very high-fashion, yet classic, as well!
In keeping with the long and dramatic theme, I thought this sleek black dress with open back would look quite suiting on her. I know Carine Roitfeld occasionally likes to add accessories so I thought maybe she could add a flowy scarf to the dress to make it a little more nonchalant and cutting edge... almost like how she styled that stunning black dress she wore to the Gucci party in 2011.
As we all know, Carine Roitfeld loves to wear black stockings so I thought this black dress with pouf sleeves would look amazing on her. Yes, it is very covered up, but I like how dramatic and sexy it is with those black tights and super high-heels... I could certainly see Carine Roitfeld sporting this look at an event.
Next, I thought this sleek and form-fitting black dress would look so striking on her. I so love how proportioned it is on the waist and how it is balanced with those pouf sleeves. This dress is elegant, sharp, and very body-conscious... it takes a lot of confidence to wear something like this, but Carine Roitfeld could easily do it. I would so love to see her wear this dress during September Fashion Week.
My next sketch is very much inspired by her Emilio Pucci one shoulder dress that she wore back in 2009 at Cannes. I am really into drapery, especially when it is done in a classic manner and I thought this asymmetrical black gown would look amazing on her. I would so love to see her wear this next year to the amfAR Gala in Cannes!
I also thought this asymmetrical blue dress would look appropriate on her. Occasionally, Carine Roitfeld likes to astound us with something unconventional so I thought this bright blue color would look great on her. I was also thinking instead of wearing high heels she should go for some super high black boots! Perhaps she should also sport a pair of short-black gloves for a more fashion-forward feeling... I like a little audacious glamour and I think this look is a perfect example of that!
I always like the idea of mixing sporty with sexy so I thought this puffy vest look with belt and knee length skirt would look quite chic on her. I know Carine Roitfeld loves the idea of sporty-chic so I tried to blend those two concepts together. The outfit was very much inspired by her brilliantly styled Vogue Paris November 2004 issue. I thought for a more glamourous feeling I would add some full-length gloves and a pair of stilettos... just to balance the look. I could definitely see her wearing this type of outfit during Fashion Week.
My last sketch is a little bit inspired by her Givenchy look she wore this May to the Met Gala. I know Carine Roitfeld loves a sleek and nicely fitted blazer so I thought this could work on her figure. I was also thinking a long dramatic skirt would make for an interesting balance. Perhaps to next year's Met Gala she could wear a look like this on the red carpet.
In closing, as we can all see, Carine Roitfeld's evening style is quite on point. Her signature sexy goth-look is distinct, steady, but yet completely all her own. She is certainly not someone pieced together by a designer or a magazine... making her a total icon of night-time glamour. It is so interesting how she consistently remains sleek, innovative, but still classic in her dress choices. Personally, if I ever find myself confused about what to wear in the evening I always look to Carine Roitfeld for inspiration. No matter what kind of style you have there certainly is something to be learned from studying her way of dressing. I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see what evening gowns she will be wearing in the future. Hope you took some style notes, I know I did!
Fashion illustrations © 2012 Dara Block. Carine Roitfeld photographs courtesy of Fashion Spot. All Rights Reserved.
jeudi 3 janvier 2013 
