Find Your Personal Style With Carine Roitfeld

Find Your Personal Style With Carine Roitfeld
By Jascmeen Bush

Leave it to Carine Roitfeld to make the eternal quest for personal style fulfillment sound so easy, so effortless, so French. The super-stylist/mogul/leather-clad heroine recently dished her seemingly simplistic style secrets to Telegraph. Let's break them down, shall we?

Rule Number One: Stick To What Suits You

The glorious paradox of Carine Roitfeld is that she evokes a strong powerful mood whether she's dressed sharply or femininely. I was surprised to read the quote below where she mentions having fun with fashion, which we all can agree is a lost art.

She told Telegraph, "I have dressed in the same way for the past 20 years; only the length of my skirt has changed. Consistent style shows confidence, and knowing what suits you saves time when you are choosing what to wear. I only have one fashion personality — the Carine one — which I would describe as sober and almost classically Parisian. She is tough, my woman. It's important to have a sense of humor about dressing, so I always add a twist to my outfits. My Givenchy sweater with a Bambi-cartoon print is one of my favorite pieces."

Rule Number Two: Highlight Your Strengths

This one's a doozy; Carine recommends focusing on playing up what you like instead of trying to downplay unflattering features. I for one literally clapped when I read that!

"Find something you like about your appearance and accentuate it," she stated. "My eyebrows and legs are my best features. I like to wear black eye make-up to draw attention to my eyes and brows, and my wardrobe contains mostly fitted clothes. With my black eyes, black clothes and skinny legs, my style can appear quite rock 'n' roll."

Rule Number Three: Don't Shop The Trends

I'm not a big fan of trends and as a result have often been called boring (can you imagine?!) But the next time I get hit with the B-word, I'll be sure to remind the naysayers that I have a very stylish ally. Here's what Carine had to say about those evil trends:

"Only buy clothes that you plan to keep forever. It's important to see trends for what they are: a game. I think finding a well-fitting garment is more exciting than buying into a crazy fad. My panther-print Azzedine Alaïa dress (autumn/winter 2010) is one of my signature pieces and fits me perfectly. Black items are an investment, and though colors have a place in my wardrobe too, I never mix them: my outfits are all-black, all-white, or all-khaki."

Rule Number Five: Choose Pieces With Character

Well I guess we can stop Google Image searching "Carine Roitfeld in leggings." She made it pretty clear that comfort is NOT key.

"'Comfort' is not part of my fashion vocabulary," she says. "You lose attitude when you feel too comfortable, so I prefer to wear clothes that have a certain edge to them. I think of my lace negligee as sexy rather than relaxing, and I keep that feeling in mind when I wear it under my clothes for fittings or shopping."

Rule Number Six: Dress From The Head Down

Brace yourself for this one: your perfectly styled hair and blended-to-perfection makeup might be hurting your overall look. Carine suggests sexy messiness above all.

"My hair and make-up secret is 'the messier the better,'" she said. "It's easy for me as I can't see anything without my glasses. I never put my eyeliner on very well in the morning, so it's usually smudged. I think it's sexy, plus it always looks better come the evening. And messy hair adds a certain youthfulness to a look. Like everyone, I am trying to hide the signs of ageing as I get older, though I do respect my age."

What I found most refreshing is that following these tips won't break the bank. Steer clear of trends? I can do that. Only spend on clothes I can wear forever? Ease up on the hair and makeup? I can handle that, too. Cost effective Parisian chic, that's what we have here, people. And I'm loving it.

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Carine Roitfeld photographs courtesy of buro247.ru, zimbio.com, harpersbazaar.com, style.com

Julia Restoin Roitfeld's Lobster Spaghetti With Fresh Tomatoes

Julia Restoin Roitfeld's Lobster Spaghetti With Fresh Tomatoes
By Renee Hernandez

Food and style have always gone together so lure some luxury into your kitchen with Julia Restoin Roitfeld’s lobster spaghetti recipe. I love how Julia brings a little health consciousness to every recipe she develops. In this recipe she uses fresh and naturally nutrient-rich ingredients like ripe tomatoes, basil, and garlic — calling for just enough olive oil to deliver fantastic flavor and richness without overdoing the calories. I was slightly intimidated about selecting and cooking lobster so I opted for frozen lobster meat. It is super easy to cook and still has great flavor.

LOBSTER SPAGHETTI WITH FRESH TOMATOES

Ingredients

• ½ cup fruity extra virgin olive oil
• 2 large cloves garlic, sliced thin
• 2 ½ pounds ripe tomatoes, peeled and very finely chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 4 one-pound lobsters, cooked and shelled, or ¾ pound cooked lobster meat
• 3 tablespoons finely slivered fresh basil, plus sprigs for garnish
• 1 pound spaghetti alla chitarra or spaghettini
•  Red chili flakes

Directions

1. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a 5 quart sauté pan or a wide saucepan. Add garlic, cook over low heat until it softens, then add tomatoes. Bring to a simmer and cook 3 minutes over medium heat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for spaghetti.
3. Dice lobster meat. Place 1 tablespoon oil in a small saucepan over low heat. Add lobster and cook until just warmed through. Fold in half of the basil. Cover and set aside.
4. When water boils, add pasta and cook until barely al dente. Drain and place in pan with tomatoes. Stir in remaining oil. Cook, stirring gently over low heat, about 5 minutes, until pasta and tomatoes are warmed and well incorporated. Season to taste with salt and pepper; fold in remaining basil.
5. Transfer to 6 shallow soup plates. Top each portion with lobster, garnish with basil sprigs and serve, with red chili flakes on the side.

In this video I demonstrate the simplicity of Julia’s recipe which is perfect for a romantic dinner. Overall time for preparation and cooking is about 45 minutes and feeds six. So go ahead and cook like a Roitfeld... Bon appétit!

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Julia Restoin Roitfeld's Lobster Spaghetti With Fresh Tomatoes film stills © 2013 Renee Hernandez. All Rights Reserved.

Mademoiselle C And Beyond

Mademoiselle C and Beyond
By Dara Block

One of the best parts about living in Los Angeles is that you have easy access to films that are not so mainstream. Last week, when I saw that Mademoiselle C was playing on the big screen, I immediately ran to the theatre. I love a good fashion documentary and when you have a storyline based around Carine Roitfeld starting her own magazine... well, you know that is going to be a total fashion extravaganza! I really enjoyed watching the film and rather than giving a detailed plot analysis I thought I would pay close attention to a couple of key moments in the film that I find memorable and inspiring!

First, I must applaud director Fabien Constant for incorporating such visual style in the film. I love the opening of Mademoiselle C with all those glamorous night time shots of New York City and those detailed sartorialist images of various women in high heels. It is very Carine Roitfeld and I am sure she loved those moments, as well. I also liked the music in the film. I read that the band, The Shoes provided the soundtrack for Mademoiselle C and I think there is a great electronic-pop-noir sound that corresponds so well with each scene of the movie.

For a while now, I wondered why Carine Roitfeld left Vogue Paris and I was very intrigued to hear her side of the story and to also see her start from scratch and to brainstorm with her new team at CR Fashion Book. The viewer gets to witness her and Stephen Gan putting together the first issue of her magazine, which was based on the idea of Rebirth. The inspiration came from her daughter Julia's pregnancy and also from Carine herself, as she was in the process of taking on this new project. I guess you could say the first issue was all about new beginnings. I think Carine summed it up best when she said, I gave up my crown to start something new.

I so appreciated how the film went behind the scenes with some of her editorials for the first issue of CR Fashion Book. Personally, I loved seeing the process of how she works when she is on set especially with the layout "A Woman's Life," which was photographed by Sebastian Faena. I have always been intrigued by that image of model Juliet Ingleby wearing that sheer violet veil scarf as she walks through the cemetery with those three girls all dressed in black leather right behind her... that probably has to be one of the best noir chic moments that Carine Roitfeld has ever styled... amazing to see this one being put together!

I also loved seeing the behind-the-scenes of "Lucho and Juliet," which was a fairy tale written and photographed by Tom Ford. As we all know Carine Roitfeld is Tom Ford's muse so we get to see that dynamic creative bond that they share on screen. I think it's great how they both understand each other on such a deep and artistic level. I also love seeing how meticulous Tom Ford is as a photographer... he has quite the eye. The best part of that scene was when Tom Ford included his housemaid in the editorial. It's quite funny to see his housekeeper trying to assimilate with his models. I so love finding out all those tiny details, it definitely adds a little character to the layout.

I also enjoyed going behind the scenes of "Hush Little Baby Don't You Cry." We get to see Carine Roitfeld catch a plane from New York City to Miami and work together on a farm with photographer Bruce Weber and model Kate Upton. It's really fascinating to see her conceive an idea with some goats, models, and newborn babies. I also liked how we got the backstory of the cover with that cute little girl and those rabbit ears holding that newborn child. From watching Mademoiselle C we discover that the baby is actually peeing on her and that is why she had that expression on her face. In addition, I liked the way Carine Roitfeld interacted with that little girl. We see her adjusting her rabbit ears and telling Bruce Weber that she thinks she looks like a young Romy Schneider. It was so delightful seeing Carine Roitfeld in total creative mode... it seemed like everyone that works with her totally responds to her energy and artistic vision.

I think my favorite moment in the film has to be when we see Carine Roitfeld practicing ballet with her instructor. This is a side that we never see of Carine and it was quite intriguing to see her work on her pliés and get down into a full split. Who knew she was that flexible? It's clear that dance and discipline play an important role in her life and I admire that she chose Dance as her next theme for the second issue of CR Fashion Book. Carine Roitfeld beautifully shows that life does indeed imitate art.

As you can see, there are so many key moments in the film and I loved seeing all the behind-the-scenes footage from her first issue of CR Fashion Book. What I appreciated most about the film is the way in which Carine Roitfeld took inspiration from her own life and manifested her vision into such thought provoking editorials that truly go above and beyond. I think Riccardo Tisci summed it up best when he was describing Carine Roitfeld in the film... he said, she loves fashion, she lives fashion, she breathes fashion, she's neoclassic, but still punk. I couldn't agree more. So on that note, if you have not seen the film do yourself a favor and see it. Carine Roitfeld is what true inspiration is all about.

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Carine Roitfeld Mademoiselle C film stills © 2013 Fabien Constant and Cohen Media; courtesy of modelinia.com and untitled-magazine.com. CR Fashion Book images courtesy of crfashionbook.com.

IWTB Contest Winner: Justine Ariel

IWTB hosted a contest this summer inviting readers to share their thoughts about the sites for a chance to win a prize and I am thrilled to announce the winner of our contest: Justine Ariel! I must admit that Justine's words moved me to tears, I was so happy that she appreciates our genuine approach and her potent reminder, "Don't give up!" came just at the right time. Justine wins a set of four IWTB mugs (Alt, Battaglia, Coppola, Roitfeld); a copy of the book Nostalgia in Vogue; a copy of the limited edition artist's book Alt/Saglio: Quotes + Citations by Wynn Dan; and the ring of her choice from I Heard They Eat Cigarettes. My sincerest thanks to all of the readers that took the time to share their thoughts! Congratulations Justine!

Keep It Real, Don't Give Up
By Justine Ariel

I have been following I Want To Be An Alt and I Want To Be A Battaglia for some time now. But this essay is in response to I Want To Be An Alt. Yes. The difficult, the inscrutable Alt, with those smartly-written editorials and edgy photographs. With those ideals and images that — sometimes — fall short of the institutional fashion mega-star Vogue Paris. Emmanuelle Alt is trying to do something great — and that is to bring the magazine and its readers into her own vision of the 21st century. This means a lot of mistakes, but when it's good, it's really good. And for this reason, my favorite thing about the site is that you don't give up. That's also one of the things I've learned from these women through your sites. And do you know why it's great that you don't give up? Because you aren't afraid to criticize. You aren't afraid to say, "This is disappointing, I'm not sure where Alt is going with this." In an industry based so much on personality — both fashion and fashion blogging industries — it is refreshing to hear an honest opinion that critiques the work of this woman intelligently and thoughtfully. She makes mistakes! We all do. How refreshing is that? But the other side of the coin is, she doesn't give up. Your blog is inspiring for me not just because I get to see the stylish outfits and compelling editorials, but because I'm actually able to understand the endurance of the work of these women (Okay, now I'm talking about ALL of your sites). No one else is showing this, or analyzing it, in such a focused way. And this is why I keep coming back to your sites — because I know I'm going to get articles that discuss the good and the bad, from writers who aren't afraid to to speak their minds. This is important in all disciplines, but much needed in the fashion world. 

That said, my favorite posts are the outfit posts. I feel like they're my treat for reading and understanding the reasons behind editorials and Alt's different visions. Because Emmanuelle Alt is just so damn chic, every time. And it's so refreshing to see that — gasp! — she wears the same clothes to different events. Whereas Carine Roitfeld and Giovanna Battaglia are known for their eclectic and seemingly endless wardrobes, Emmanuelle Alt is a woman of staples. And I appreciate that. It brings me back to, maybe, what Parisian street style is meant to be. Everyone has their uniform, but it just looks good. I don't know how Emmanuelle Alt's editorship (is that a word?) at Vogue Paris will be remembered — it's too early to tell. But change is refreshing, and, ironically, it's nice to see the same outfits for a change. 

Before I get too caught up in wordplay... Please keep posting great editorials on your site! For those of us living outside of France, a subscription to Vogue Paris is a hefty $180 per year. It's great to see the little gems of the magazine (Vogue Paris: "Tresor National" for example, and the aluminum foil dress in "Couture") and be plugged in to the best of it. What would I change about the site? Well, for me, when I lack inspiration, I change the layout of my site. Maybe give I Want To Be An Alt a makeover. From going super-minimalist to making the post space wider... It might broaden your horizons, open the world! 

In sum, I really think you are doing a great thing. You are a great resource for the best (and worst) of Vogue Paris — the best on the web, so please remember that! There are people out there (me) who really appreciate it. I'm being honest, I'm not just trying to win Alt/Saglio. Although that would also be great. You never know where this site will take you (even if you just go to the magazine stand to buy Vogue Paris who knows, you could meet the love of your life, and/or a puppy) — so my Alt-ian message is: don't give up! I'm a 25-year-old writer and young artist, finding a voice in photography, fashion, and film. Thank you so much for this opportunity! I wish you all the best.

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Carine Roitfeld, Emmanuelle Alt, Giovanna Battaglia, Sofia Coppola photos via Pure People, Getty Images, Fashion Spot.

Julia Restoin Roitfeld's Roast Chicken And Quinoa

Julia Restoin Roitfeld's Roast Chicken And Quinoa
By Renee Hernandez

When I think of fashion and models, food doesn’t even register. Think a model’s diet consists of coffee, cigarettes, and air? Wrong. After reading Cesar Casier’s interview I discovered one model who is passionate about food. His cookbook titled Model Kitchen features recipes from Casier and his top-model friends, including Karlie Kloss, Lindsey Wixson, Lily Donaldson, Milla Jovovich, and Julia Restoin Roitfeld. In Model Kitchen you’ll find 75 healthy recipes that are easy and affordable to make. No self-imposed deprivation here. Just a sensible, thoughtful approach to eating. I especially loved Julia Restoin Roitfeld’s Roast Chicken and Quinoa Salad recipe. Her recipe is on the low-calorie side yet tastes like an indulgence and is super easy to make! In this video I show just how easy JRR’s recipe is. Overall time, prepping and cooking, is a little over 30 minutes and happily feeds four.

ROAST CHICKEN

For the roast chicken you will need:

• 2 lbs. (900 g) chicken (whatever you prefer; breast, legs, or wings)
• 3 tomatoes, halved
• 2 tablespoons of thyme
• 3 cloves of garlic
• olive oil
• coarse sea salt
• pepper

Preheat oven to 200˚C/400˚F. Place in ovenproof dish, together with tomatoes, garlic, and thyme. Drizzle with olive oil and season with pepper and salt. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes.

QUINOA SALAD

For the quinoa salad you will need:

• 11 oz. (300 g) quinoa
• 2 red bell peppers, diced
• 4 oz. (110 g) cubed feta cheese
• 1/2 cucumber, peeled and diced
• 3 spring onions, cut into thin rings 
• handful of basil, minced
• handful of mint, minced
• 4 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 1/2 tablespoons of lemon or lime juice
• paprika powder
• salt and pepper

Cook quinoa and allow to cool in a large bowl. For one cup of quinoa, you’ll need 2 cups of water. Then reduce the temperature of the oven to 150˚C/325˚F. Cook the chicken for 10 more minutes. Add all the vegetables and herbs to the quinoa and pour the olive oil and lemon juice over the mixture. Also add the cubed feta. Carefully fold the ingredients together and season with paprika powder, salt, and pepper. The paprika powder is the finishing touch and gives the dish a pretty color and spicy taste!

Now you can cook like a Roitfeld... Bon appétit!

Order your copy of Model Kitchen on NET-A-PORTER today

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Julia Restoin Roitfeld's Roast Chicken and Quinoa film stills © 2013 Renee Hernandez. All Rights Reserved.