The Companions Of Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld

Readers have expressed curiosity about the romantic interests of Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld, assuredly one of the world's most eligible bachelors, and while my only evidence is photographic, I thought it would be fun to take a look at the women in Vlad's life.

Goga Ashkenazi

Most recently Vladimir has been linked with Goga Ashkenazi, a fascinating woman that owns the label Vionnet and an oil empire, among many other things. The pair first appeared together in October 2013, in Paris at the release party for Mademoiselle C and in Milan at VRR's art exhibition of Nicolas Pol. In November Roitfeld and Ashkenazi attended the opening of Museo Jumex in Mexico City and in December they were seen together at Art Basel, have these two art lovers made the perfect match? On a related note, I loved the work that Carine Roitfeld and Jean Paul Goude did for Vionnet last spring, I wonder if Vladi introduced Carine and Goga… or vice versa… 

Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld and Goga Ashkenazi, Mademoiselle C Party, October 2013

Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld and Goga Ashkenazi, Nicolas Pol Exhibit, October 2013

Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld, Goga Ashkenazi, Jean Thierry Besins, Dylan Don, Michael Lilelund

Giovanna Battaglia

Prior to this, Vladimir spent three years in a relationship with Giovanna Battaglia. The couple was first documented by fashion paparazzi in Porto Ercole, Italy, in June 2009, and parted company around October 2012. The Milanese beauty started out as muse to Dolce & Gabbana then found her passion behind the scenes as a talented stylist. Gio currently works as Contributing Fashion Editor at W Magazine, Senior Fashion Editor at Vogue Japan, and Creative Director of Queen of The Night, a cabaret theater in Manhattan. To learn more about the life and the work of Giovanna Battaglia, please visit our sister site, I Want To Be A Battaglia.

Lily Donaldson

Before Gio, Vladimir's girlfriend was Lily Donaldson, a model raised in London. Among other claims to fame, Donaldson walked in the three most recent shows for Victoria's Secret. Their relationship lasted about two years, dating from March 2007 to the spring of 2009. I always found it amusing that Carine's cuttingly clever editorial "No Smoking" was published in Vogue Paris in April 2009, right around the time of the breakup between Vlad and Lily.

Mariacarla Boscono

I am not sure when Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld began dating Mariacarla Boscono but I believe they went their separate ways in September 2006. Widely considered a top model of her era, Mariacarla was born in Rome to the couple that invented the Italian brand Saucony. Mariacarla also enjoys the distinction of having introduced Carine Roitfeld to Riccardo Tisci. In Carine's own words, "You know Riccardo, his show, I went for the first time in Milan because my son, he was friends with Mariacarla [Boscono], and Mariacarla gave to my son the invitation of Riccardo, and for me he was no one. And I was like, 'OK, I have a car and I have a bit of time,' and I was like, 'OK, let’s go.' So I went to see that show and it was totally new, totally fresh, and it was very interesting. That’s the way I met Riccardo." Enchanté de faire votre connaissance. Note also that La Roitfeld used Mariacarla and her baby, Marialucas, for the Givenchy S/S 2013 campaign. Boscono is married to Andreas Patti, an Italian entrepreneur.

Visit the photo gallery to see more images of Vladimir with Goga Ashkenazi, Giovanna Battaglia, Lily Donaldson, and Mariacarla Boscono.

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Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld, Goga Ashkenazi, Giovanna Battaglia, Lily Donaldson, and Mariacarla Boscono photos courtesy of instagram/goga_vionnet, purple.fr, bfanyc.com, Getty Images, Condé Nast, Abaca, popsugar.com, wwd.com, Neiman Marcus, Fashion Spot.

Julia Restoin-Roitfeld For Givenchy Fall/Winter 2013

Julia Restoin-Roitfeld reprises her role in the Givenchy advertising campaigns for the Fall/Winter 2013 collection, this time donning their eyewear for a sexy librarian look that is at once sweet and smoldering. Julia is seen here in the "Antigona" model. Designed by Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy, the "Reality and Family" eyewear collection celebrates the value of family, with frames available in black, red, or the Givenchy logo print, Swarovski crystals optional. The black-and-white campaign images were captured by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott. While we are on the subject, I admired the Givenchy eyewear campaign for their Spring/Summer 2013 collection featuring Mariacarla Boscono and Francisco Peralta, also by Mert & Marcus.

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Givenchy images © 2013 Givenchy.

The Essence Of The Givenchy Woman

The Essence Of The Givenchy Woman
By Kate Ringo Suzuki

In her most recent collaboration with the house of Givenchy, Carine Roitfeld proves once again that high fashion can have a soul. Her styling for Givenchy’s campaign for Spring/Summer 2013 has beautifully captured the essence of creative director Riccardo Tisci’s vision of the Givenchy woman: “It’s about real people, only taking the best of their personalities, with no effort.” says Tisci.

The collection is undeniably architectural and menswear influenced, evidenced by tuxedo pants and sturdy jackets rendered in firm wool that stand at attention in straight lines. But do not be fooled — this is not your mother’s austere armor. There is cleverness and brilliance to what Tisci has done. Sturdy swaths of silk satin support large-scale details, like a larger-than-life side ruffle that reveals an unexpected flash of flesh on the side of a woman, her arm, her breast — not too much, not too little, just enough flirt to retain her mystery and power. High necklines punctuated with shiny bold chokers and asymmetry are the norm.

La Roitfeld’s styling is right on the money. Marina Abramovic, Kate Moss, and Mariacarla Boscono model the women’s collection wearing almost bare faces and relaxed undone hair. The boldness of the clothing serves as a frame to highlight the natural beauty of these women. Slicked back hair and red lips would have looked aged and dated. Under Carine’s watchful eye, the women wear the dresses and not the other way around. One photograph features Mariacarla Boscono holding her baby daughter, Mariąlucas; the sexiest grandmother in the world definitely still has baby on the brain.

Further congratulations should be extended to the brilliant black and white photography of Mert & Marcus.  

Take a look at the creation of Givenchy’s Spring/Summer 2013 campaign

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Givenchy images © 2013 Givenchy.

Red Hot Roitfeld

Carine Roitfeld styled the Givenchy Autumn/Winter advertising campaign pictured here and it is red hot. Appearing minimal on the surface, the textures fascinate me. The campaign stars house muse Mariacarla Boscono, along with models Malgosia Bela, Willy Cartier, Jonathan Marquez, Catherine McNeil, Simon Nessman, Paolo Roldan, Joan Smalls, Lea T, and Ming Xi; the photography is by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot.

Givenchy designer Riccardo Tisci points out that he chose a transexual as one of the models to exemplify the masculine/feminine dichotomy that pervades his design. His personal assistant and former house model Leo is now known as Lea T and as Tisci says, "She’s always been very feminine: superfragile, very aristocratic. She’s part of the family.” The campaign will appear in the July issue of L'Uomo Vogue.

Givenchy Autumn/Winter advertising campaign images courtesy of models.com