Vogue Paris Translation: Editorial, May 2010

Carine Roitfeld sets the stage for each issue of Vogue Paris in the editorial that she pens, highlighting those featured in its pages in her charming manner. Here I have translated from French to English Carine's editorial for Vogue Paris May 2010 with Penélope Cruz serving as guest editor:

Une rédactrice en chef invitée, ce n'est pas vraiment une première dans Vogue, puisque chaque numéro de Noël est piloté par une célébrité. Au passage, ces numéros exceptionnels sont parmi les plus plébiscités par nos lecteurs. Il y a très longtemps que nous souhaitions travailler avec Penélope Cruz. Est-il besoin d'expliquer pourquoi ? Actrice espagnole Oscarisee, un pedigree ébouriffant — Pedro Almodovar, Woody Allen, Stephen Frears et bientôt un "Pirate des Caraïbes", un tempérament inflammable, un vie privée au coffre-fort... Son pouvoir d'attraction est colossal. Son investissement tout autant. En couverture, Penélope Cruz a tenu à poser avec quelques-unes de ses consœurs de Hollywood ainsi que Bono et à mettre en lumière l'action de (RED) qui œuvre pour financer la lutte contre le sida en Afrique. Au sommaire également : une rencontre avec deux étoiles du Royal Ballet, Vanessa Paradis en Chine, un entretien entre deux compatriotes, Ferran Adrià, génie gastronomique à la tête d'E Bulli, et Valentin Fuster, star des cardiologues, un portrait de Crystal Renn, top model aux proportions inédites, sans oublier une conversation entre Pedro Almodóvar et Jeanne Moreau. ‹‹Parler de moi, dit Penélope Cruz, c'est mettre en avant les gens que j'admire.›› Une politesse de grande, une élégante manière de préserver tout son mystère.

A guest editor, this is not really a first for Vogue, since each Christmas issue is driven by a celebrity. Incidentally, these special issues are among the most popular with our readers. For a long time we have wanted to work with Pénelope Cruz. Is it necessary to explain why? An Oscar-winning Spanish actress with a breathtaking pedigree — Pedro Almodovar, Woody Allen, Stephen Frears and soon a "Pirate of the Caribbean," an inflammable temperament, a private life like a safe... her capacity for attraction is colossal. Her investment as well. For the cover, Penélope Cruz wished to ask some of her Hollywood colleagues together with Bono to spotlight the work of (RED) which works to finance the fight against AIDS in Africa. Contains also: a meeting with two stars of the Royal Ballet, Vanessa Paradis in China, a conversation between two compatriots, Ferran Adrià, culinary genius at the head of E. Bulli, and Valentin Fuster, star among cardiologists, a portrait of Crystal Renn, top model of unpublished proportions, without forgetting a conversation between Pedro Almodóvar and Jeanne Moreau. "To speak about me," said Penélope Cruz, "is to put forward the people that I admire." A great politesse, an elegant way to preserve all of her mystery.

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

Giovanna Battaglia: Auction

Since we will occasionally glance back at the stylistic history that Carine Roitfeld has fashioned, it seems that we ought to pay a similar courtesy to the work of Giovanna Battaglia. Pictured here are riveting black and white images from an editorial that Gio styled for Vogue Italia entitled "Auction." Love the paddles... and the polished intensity of the players...

Vogue Italia editorial images © 2010 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.

Carine Roitfeld: Seville En Mantille

In response to the survey that I recently posted, several readers expressed interest in seeing more examples of the body of work created by Carine Roitfeld and it is my pleasure to oblige. Pictured here are two outtakes from an editorial titled "Séville en mantille" from the November 1995 issue of Vogue Paris. Carine served as fashion editor for the concept with Mario Testino photographing model Chandra North styled in the traditional dress of the Andalucian world of flamenco dancers and matadors, l'aristocrate, la sensuelle, la fière...

Vogue Paris "Séville en mantille" editorial image © 1995 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.

Vogue Paris Translation: Une Fille Un Style, April 2010

Carine Roitfeld has selected the fabulously stylish Catherine Baba for the "Une Fille Un Style" section of the April 2010 issue of Vogue Paris. Below I have translated the text of the article from French to English. What are your thoughts, do you like the style of Catherine Baba?

The two syllables of her name might evoke the flavors of rum, an addiction to pastry as light as a cloud. But outside the featherweight, it is rather the fumes of Opium and thirty years of Montparnasse that stick to the skin of Catherine Baba. The muse was always headed for Paris nights and the fashion scene.

A GIRL: She rented an apartment in Paris a fortnight of years ago, mesmerized by the culture of couture, the surrealistic mythology, and this "French touch" chic which she lives to the second degree. "I never imagined living in New York or London," says the Australian with the Fitzgeraldien accent and explosive style who baptizes everyone "Darling." For this avid reader of Colette, fashion has always been obvious. A seamstress for a mother, a textiles course in high school, then a long haul and landing at Studio Berçot: a multi-talented designer, she is now occupied daily with still photography for film, and a line in her name that should come out this summer. Already under Baba's belt: a plethora of collaborations with Dazed & Confused, Vogue Nippon, Moschino, and Cartier.

A STYLE: Louise Brooks electrified by the bright lights of the Palace, with reminiscences of the Roaring Twenties and over-spangled glam. Escaped from the studio of Edward Steichen. Catherine Baba has vintage in the blood, but if she is beyond healthy with her 1930s dresses acquired in flea markets, she also knows how to work a pair of leopard print leggings or a jacket backed with shiny sequins. "This obsession with old clothes made my mother hysterical, especially since she spent her time sewing my conservative pretty dresses, but it is at garage sales in Sydney that I began to find my freedom," Catherine remembers today.

NIGHT: "Since I am an insomniac, darling, I decided to live and watch rather than get back to my bed." Uniforms to bewitch the night at Maxim's "combination of ultra-slinky and Japanese kimono, stunning heels, a deluge of jewelry, a 70s minaudière, and a cigarette holder to punctuate the silhouette." In all cases, a strong taste for the fluid materials, chiffons and glittering lamé, even velvets and brocades have their reserved seats.

ACCESSORIES: A profusion: belts and trimmings, in satin, in leather, or in metal mesh, but mostly hats: "I have always adored them, they still keep me amused." Mini-bibis fully embroidered, vintage cloches, or Hollywood turbans, all headgear acquired since childhood, found on the right, left. Some come from Army surplus stores in the depths of the United States, skimmed off for a summer road trip in the company of Jeremy Scott. Others simply have been purchased on eBay.

JEWELRY: Wherever she is, the jingle of her jewelry invariably signals her arrival. Inspiration: a photograph of Nancy Cunard by Cecil Beaton, from which comes this avalanche of bracelets: in silver or lacquered wood from Tiffany, in jade, as well as oversized rings designed by Elie Top for Baccarat, a gold metal cuff watch by Yves Saint Laurent... More pendants, mini bottles in hooded silver onyx, a small vial of Opium perfume hanging on a silk cord, tassels of all kinds, and a tiny gold box at the neck: "This is my box of secrets — and also my Pandora's box. The last time I opened it, I almost fell from an airplane."

CREATORS: "Lo! I'm not crazy about the new trends: I like pieces that endure, that are timeless, that allow reinterpretation." Not necessarily the type to rush into the shop which is releasing a new collection, Catherine Baba monitors Riccardo Tisci at Givenchy, Alber Elbaz at Lanvin, shuddered at the last show of Haider Ackermann, and welcomes the work of Nicolas Ghesquiere at Balenciaga based on the materials and the proportions. The ultimate references: Azzedine Alaïa, both for his collections and his independence, and Elsa Schiaparelli.

SHOES: "In this area, the Italians are the strongest: Francesco Russo at Sergio Rossi, Fabrizio Viti at Vuitton... But I also love Christian Louboutin, both for his creations and for his career." In any case, Catherine Baba wears high heels, even at home, where she receives in purple velvet slippers, a Lanvin mesh ultra lounge dress, an antique ivory comb stuck in her hair. She allows herself sometimes, and unseen, a small meeting with the massaging sandals.

BEAUTY: Skin care: L'Or de Vie by Dior. The matte lipsticks by Yves Saint Laurent and Guerlain, for make-up straight out of The Damned by Visconti. The whole line of Yves Saint Laurent products scented with Opium: body lotion, bubble bath, more products with a base of seaweed bio that she brought from Britain. Her personal fragrance is a mixture of Opium, of Arpege by Lanvin and of Fracas by Robert Piguet. "I do not love fragile odors, I love spicy fragrances, hot, with notes of cinnamon." And to keep fit, bikram yoga sessions: "We end in sweat, with the impression of having been fully massaged. This is the best detox cure I know."

FUR: "Because I am against the suffering of animals, I wear only vintage fur. And I think that a sable would be delighted to know that it is worn by beautiful people, in sumptuous décors." This does not prevent Catherine Baba from giving monthly to Greenpeace.

ADDRESSES: Chez Sarah at the Clignancourt flea markets for the extraordinary assortment of dresses from the eighteenth century to today. The terrace of Le Café Marly, to rest between fashion shows. Le Mathy's Bar, from the beginning, for an evening with friends. But also A La Civette, the tobacco store of Palais Royal, to replenish the stock of Armada menthols to be iced then slipped into a silver cigarette holder. To move among these hotspots, she hops on a bike, why not dress in haute couture.

IPOD: In keeping with her skillfully eclectic image, Grace Jones and Vivaldi, Schubert and Duran Duran, the disco of Paradise Garage and the voice of Maria Callas, more swing of the seventies by Doctor Buzzard's Original Savannah Band.

PROJECT: At the same time she is collaborating on the next film of Eva Ionesco, she finalizes her first line of clothing "very visual, both flat and three-dimensional. A women's collection, but could be worn by men. Very me, in short, darling."

PETITION: "During a party I lost a bone cuff bracelet designed by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany. If someone has got hold of it, I'd be very grateful to have it returned to me." Notice to the person(s).

"Une Fille Un Style" images of Catherine Baba © 2010 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.

Vogue Paris May 2010 Editorials

The Vogue Paris web site offers a taste of what is to come in the editorials for the May 2010 issue. First we see the striking "Paradis En Chine," the military vision of Carine Roitfeld starring Vanessa Paradis as captured by Karl Lagerfeld. Next is "Erotica," a sexy haute couture tribute to Alexander McQueen in which Roitfeld poses her son Vladimir's former love interest Lily Donaldson with Steven Klein behind the camera. Carine also styled the breathtaking "La Décadanse" with top model Daria Werbowy and Italian artist Francesco Vezzoli playing the parts of France's iconic couple, Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg; Mario Testino caught the magic on film. Finally is the pin-up seduction of "Plage Privée" featuring Natasha Poly as styled by Emmanuelle Alt and photographed by Mario Sorrenti. Available on newsstands April 23, it looks to be another fabulous issue.

Vogue Paris May 2010 editorial images © 2010 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.