Vogue Paris April 2001: Berlin

Vogue Paris April 2001: Berlin
By Dara Block

It's always exciting to look back at Carine Roitfeld's early years at Vogue Paris and since it is April 2013, I thought it would be appropriate to reminisce back on the April 2001 issue entitled "Tentation Rebelle," particularly the brilliant editorial entitled "Berlin." The layout was photographed by Mario Testino and was styled by Carine Roitfeld. These two always work so well together and this editorial clearly illustrates that. I think the opening image of model Marcelle Bittar in that shiny black leather Balenciaga trench coat just says it all... it's so sexy-chic, what Carine Roitfeld does best! I also love that she chose Berlin, Germany, as the backdrop. Berlin is certainly a city that is young, modern, vivacious, and even a little punk. All those qualities are definitely depicted here. So, with all that said, let's take a closer look at some of the images from this cutting-edge editorial.

I so appreciate that this layout features both men and women. We get to see both sexes looking edgy and seductive in that Vogue Paris way we all know and love. I think this photo is a perfect example of that. Model Marcelle Bittar totally oozes sex appeal in her beautifully draped Versace dress. This was one of Donatella Versace's best seasons for the label and I love the way Marcelle Bittar looks in that dress. Yes, it is a bit revealing, but the dress certainly covers up in all the right areas. I can't help but also notice that alluring look she is giving to the camera. She appears innocent but you know that she probably has some secret wild side. I also appreciate that added punk element of that young man standing next to her in his suit... I think his hair says it all. I like how this photo looks a bit 80s, but also very contemporary. Carine Roitfeld did an excellent job at blending a retro punk vibe with a sexy and modern sensibility.

In the next image, we see Marcelle Bittar once again looking very vulnerable and sensual in a risqué black lingerie dress with a Dior hat and veil. I love the way Mario Testino worked with mirrors in this photograph. I especially love the reflection of her double red lips. Her image is multiplied in a really interesting and provocative way.

Mirrors certainly add a mysterious-chic quality and I love that Mario Testino included a couple more similar shots. This mirror image in particular was my favorite. I think Carine Roitfeld did an excellent job at styling this look. I know critics hated this Tom Ford for Gucci Spring 2001 collection, but I thought it was one of his best. Carine Roitfeld definitely added a total punk rock aesthetic and a little goth glam with this Gucci black mesh dress, making it look so standout. I also like how Marcelle Bittar even looks a bit like Carine Roitfeld in this pic... the hair and the expression on her face is so CR. I assume she used herself as inspiration.

Yet again, we see another mirror photo image and this time Marcelle Bittar's blonde punk rock boy-toy joins in on the fun. I love the expression of these two together and the way they blend together through that mirror and their black ensembles. Also, their accessories play such a key role in this pic... I love his bullet necklace and her Chopard butterfly brooch. It is such a clever blend of punk rock chic and high glamour. Only Carine Roitfeld could style this look together so effortlessly.

These two also appear again but this time in different looks... and in a hotel room. Marcelle Bittar looks ultra glam in her red transparent coat and glass of champagne. Plus, love the matching red nails. She looks as though she has something naughty on her mind... not sure if her punk rock boy-toy has the same intention!

What I find so interesting about this editorial is that Mario Testino not only photographs models but he manages to capture the beauty and charm of Berlin. We get to see the city at night with all the colors and the gorgeous architecture. Berlin, itself, plays an important role in this layout.

I also appreciate how Mario Testino and Carine Roitfeld styled and photographed their models with real life citizens from Berlin. All the people featured in this editorial are artists, students, musicians, of some sort living in this creative city. I love the range of people and how they all somehow blend together. Whether in sporty-chic Adidas or a sexy leather coat... Berlin is certainly a unique city full of personal style... these two pics show all that!

The editorial ends on a high note, with two amazing leather coats. First, we see a male model walking in what seems like a German mall in a black leather trench coat. The cut of this jacket is quite impeccable. It's sleek, sophisticated, and such a perfect look for wandering around a darkly-glam city, like Berlin. We also see Marcelle Bittar again, roaming around in that same mall, still with her glass of champagne, also dressed in a beautiful leather coat. I so appreciate the way in which Carine Roitfeld shows the reader how to work a coat... I love that she displays this look not just for women, but for men, too. It's clear that a form-fitting coat is a must have for both sexes.

As we can see, Carine Roitfeld's "Berlin" is not so much about the clothes but more about personal style. Perhaps it's all about having a punk rock attitude and not caring what other people think... especially when it comes to putting a look together. I like that this editorial does not scream fashion, but rather individuality. Berlin definitely seems to be such a forward thinking city in terms of architecture, fashion, and overall style. I love the way Mario Testino and Carine Roitfeld captured all that so intelligently. Yet another amazing collaboration from this dynamic duo... always inspiring to watch these two work their magic!

More from Vogue Paris April 2001

Vogue Paris April 2001: Bande A Part
By Jessica Eritou

Vogue Paris April 2001: Tentation Rebelle
By Kellina de Boer

Vogue Paris April 2001 Translation: Initiales B.C.
By Kellina de Boer

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Vogue Paris editorial images © 2001 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.

IWTBAR Contest Winner: David Rebmann

Congratulations to David Rebmann, the winner of the recent I Want To Be A Roitfeld contest! David chose the editorial "Corps & Lames" featuring model Gemma Ward as styled by Carine Roitfeld and photographed by Mario Testino to which he added the IHTEC Cunt Ring to up the rebellious factor. I think it is the perfect touch. The iconic editorial originally appeared in the February 2005 issue of Vogue Paris. David will receive his choice of rings from our sponsor, I Heard They Eat Cigarettes. Thanks to everyone that took the time to enter our contest; please join me in congratulating David in the comments below. To read more, visit his blog Styleabout.

Vogue Paris: Corps & Lames
By David Rebmann

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Vogue Paris editorial images © 2005 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.

Vogue Paris February 2003: La Joueuse... Aux Jambes Nues

Vogue Paris February 2003: La joueuse... Aux jambes nues
By Dara Block

I don't know about you, but I always find it fascinating to look back at Carine Roitfeld's history as a stylist and image maker, especially those years in which she was editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris. Since it is February 2013, I thought it would be appropriate to flashback 10 years ago to February 2003 and a provocative editorial she styled that month, entitled "La joueuse...aux jambes nues." For those of you who do not speak French, the title simply translates as "The player… with bare legs." With a title like that you know the editorial is going to be ultra sexy and chic! Let's take an in-depth look inside the pages. 

The editorial was photographed by Mario Testino and features some of spring's hottest looks from 2003. What I find so brilliant about this editorial is that Carine Roitfeld incorporates much of herself into the styling. For Carine Roitfeld, her Russian origins have always been a major source of style inspiration and in this layout you certainly see all that depicted. Louise, the model featured, has a very Carine Roitfeld sensibility mixed in with a Dostoyevsky quality, perhaps like a female heroine in one of his novels. Dostoyevsky happens to be one of Carine Roitfeld's favorite writers… so it's no surprise that she waned to include a subtle Russian literary reference. Just by looking at her, you can tell that Louise embodies a very sexy, strong, yet mysterious way about her... qualities you would definitely find in a female character in a Dostoyevsky novel. I totally admire how Carine Roitfeld blended her Russian heritage and elements of a Dostoyevsky heroine to showcase these cutting-edge spring 2003 looks.

With all that analysis, let's get back to the fashion.... I love the first look featured. Louise looks so chic in her Salvatore Ferragamo black trench coat. The messy hair and smoky eyes work so well together. I definitely see how Carine Roitfeld used herself as inspiration... this look is so her!

I also love the styling of this Rick Owens dress with that sequined Anna Molinari slip-dress placed over... it's an unlikely pairing, but somehow it works in such a mysteriously glam way. Let's also not forget that pose she is giving to the camera. Only Mario Testino could capture such an incognito-chic moment like that. 

Another standout look from the editorial is this soft lavender Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent dress as seen on Louise. The layering and ruffles on this dress are superb. On a side note, this was one of Tom Ford's most memorable YSL collections, so many magazines featured this dress, but I always thought Carine Roitfeld styled it best. She definitely knows how to work and style a Tom Ford creation like no other.... love it when these two collaborate as designer and stylist, such a dynamic bond and style connection they share and this image beautifully shows that!  

The next look featured is a bit risqué, but isn't that why we love Vogue Paris? Louise is seen in an open blouse and fur coat placed over her shoulders. She not only looks confident, but also a bit vulnerable, as well.... love how this image conveys both qualities. You can definitely see that quintessential Carine Roitfeld attitude and style with this photo. Also, in case you cannot tell Louise has purple painted nipples. Yes, only in Vogue Paris can you get away with this racy look, but the idea actually came from Tom Ford! He featured purple painted nipples in his Yves Saint Laurent show that spring season, so it is obvious where Carine Roitfeld took her inspiration.... just leave it to Carine Roitfeld to add something cheeky to catch your attention. 

I can't help but also love this brown Prada silk coat featured on Louise.... the silhouette is perfection! It's not just the jacket, but also her body composition. I totally admire her stance and the way it contrasts with that lavender background. That is actually another hidden Tom Ford influence. His runway set for YSL that season was also lavender. It is quite interesting how Carine Roitfeld even took inspiration from the setting. There are so many tiny details with this layout that it make it so visually stimulating.... I guess inspiration really is everywhere! 

The next look probably has to be my favorite look from the editorial.... who could ever forget this silk kimono bathrobe from Tom Ford's Gucci spring/summer 2003 collection? This was such an iconic season that I still think it about to this day. I so love how cutting-edge and glamourous she looks with her messy hair and purple eyeshadow. That kimono is the perfect complement and I so appreciate the humor and wit of that flower placed over her breast.... très chic! 

Personally, I love the way the editorial ends. Louise looks very alluring in her Valentino sheer black dress. The body language and look in her eyes completely oozes glamour and sex appeal... what Carine Roitfeld does best.

As we can see, it's always a revelation to look back on Carine Roitfeld's days at Vogue Paris. Interesting how with time her editorials have not aged at all... they still look just as fashion forward as they did 10 years ago... I am not sure how she does it, but it certainly is very inspiring! Spring/Summer 2003 will never be forgotten and this editorial proves it, brava Carine!

More from Vogue Paris February 2003

Vogue Paris February 2003: Carine. Emmanuelle. Anastasia. Marie-Amélie.
By Kellina de Boer

Vogue Paris February 2003: Gang Lang
By Kellina de Boer

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Vogue Paris editorial images © 2003 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.

Carine Roitfeld And Mario Testino: Upstreet

Today's visual feast comes to us courtesy of a collaboration between Carine Roitfeld and Mario Testino for the December 2000 issue of Upstreet. Shot in locations across the world such as Los Angeles, Paris, New York, Moscow, London, Rio de Janeiro, Amsterdam, Cape Town, Tangier, Lima, Naples, Stockholm, and Jaipur, I am fascinated with the array of looks that this creative duo have captured in their editorial. Carine's ability to imbue her images with her sense of humor never ceases to amaze me. Amusez-vous!

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Carine Roitfeld and Mario Testino images via dioramour on Fashion Spot

Update on dimanche 6 janvier 2013 by kellina

Note that an anonymous commenter claims this is not the work of Carine Roitfeld. I have no way of verifying the creator and I love the images so they will remain but you have been warned.

Mode/Sport: Vogue Paris November 2004

Mode/Sport: Vogue Paris November 2004
By Dara Block

I don't know about you, but I am still in denial that Carine Roitfeld has even left Vogue Paris. For some odd reason, every month, when I skim through the pages of Vogue Paris magazine I still look for one of Carine Roitfeld's amazingly chic, yet highly personal, editor's notes. Yes, I know she is now on to new and other interesting projects like CR Fashion Book, but I like to think that she is still subconsciously contributing to the magazine. Recently, I started to think about some of her most memorable and iconic issues of Vogue Paris. Naturally, there are so many to discuss, but if there was one that has left a huge impact on my personal style it would have to be the November 2004 issue dedicated to sportswear. What I appreciate so much about this particular issue was the way in which Carine Roitfeld was able to take such glamorous looks and transform them into so many athletic inspired fashion spreads. She totally brought new meaning to the term "sporty-chic." So, with all that in mind, I thought it would be appropriate to take a glimpse inside this unforgettable and groundbreaking issue!

First of all, let's just take a moment to examine this gorgeous cover. The striking image was photographed by Mario Testino and featured Kate Moss looking extra sporty-chic in a Nike sports bra and shorts mixed in with a green Gucci fur coat for some added glamour. It’s quite obvious that Carine Roitfeld styled this cover and I so love how she placed that Gucci fur over her Nike ensemble… very high fashion, but yet still very athletic-looking. Only Carine Roitfeld could style this look together so cool and nonchalantly!

Carine Roitfeld also dedicates a page in the issue to photographer Mario Testino. After all, he helped Carine out with many of the stunning athletic inspired editorials in this issue. It’s quite obvious that Mario Testino and Carine Roitfeld work so well together and I love how beautifully he executed her sportswear vision in this issue. I also think it’s quite cool how she featured a photo of Mario Testino, himself, playing tennis… if you look closely you can see him in action on the court. Those impromptu photos go so perfectly with the whole sportswear theme.

Next up is Carine Roitfeld's iconic editor's note. In it, she talks about how inspired she was by Olympic athletes, their bodies, and how they move within space. She also shared how delighted she was to have Mario Testino take part in this issue especially because he was able to turn all her athletic ideas into a reality. I so love the montage of sporty inspired images she has put together. Nobody can put together and style an editor's note quite like Carine Roitfeld.

Following the editor's note comes “Ski Fantaisies” which is a beautiful montage of ski-wear mixed in with the season's hottest winter looks. Since this issue came out in November of 2004, the timing was perfect to showcase some winter-chic inspired looks with a Carine Roitfeld sensibility. I so love how she reminisced back to some retro ski-looks, but also mixed it up with Polaroid images of the current season's winter looks by Balenciaga, Roberto Cavalli, and The Gap to display how the winter ski look can be both glamorous but yet, very easy to wear, as well!

After “Ski Fantaisies” comes “Agenda,” in which Vogue Paris takes an inside look at designer Stella McCartney's collaboration with the Adidas label. I so appreciate how the magazine showcases some sporty looks from Stella McCartney's Fall/Winter 2004 collection and relates it to her line for Adidas. There are definitely some sporty-chic connections and its quite amazing to see how sportswear has transformed into such a high-fashion concept… brilliantly conveyed!

Next comes “Flashback” which features a photograph of supermodel Veruschka taken in 1968, by Franco Rubartelli. It’s obvious what a great inspiration this winter ski photo was to Carine Roitfeld and to the Vogue Paris team for this issue. What is not to love about this image… the styling is impeccable with that turtleneck and all those extra added winter accessories. This is truly the Vogue Paris way of going skiing in 1968 and for today, as well!

Following the “Flashback” photograph comes “Mode/Sport” an astounding collaboration between Mario Testino and Carine Roitfeld showcasing how sportswear and athletic style has changed the way both men and women dress in their everyday lives. The concept is quite simple, but yet very forward-thinking in terms of style!

First comes “Hors-Piste”in which Carine Roitfeld takes various winter ski looks and translates them for the modern-day woman. One of my favorite looks featured in the editorial was this sleeping bag coat by Maison Martin Margiela. I love how cool, comfortable, and cutting edge this model looks in her coat. It is as if she just got out of bed and perhaps even wore her bed spread and just decided to go skiing. On a side note, H&M is now selling a new version of the very same Margiela sleeping bag coat. I actually just purchased it and I must say I use this Mario Testino image as my total style inspiration.

There are also some extra amazing photos in this ski editorial featuring stylish ski masks and even some other sleeping bag coat looks from designer Norma Kamali, as well.

Next comes “Classe de Neige,” which takes an in-depth look at the sporty-chic ski-look and how it has influenced ready to wear winter style throughout the years. I so love the montage of paparazzi images. The photos range from Jackie O. and Renee Zellweger to Princess Diana… showing off their best winter ski attire! With all these pics you clearly can see how ski style has inspired many fashion designers and stylists.

Following “Classe de Neige” comes “Figures Libres,” which features supermodel Kate Moss in some of the season's hottest sporty looks. This is my favorite editorial in the entire issue because all the looks featured are so effortless and easy to copy. In addition, Carine Roitfeld beautifully depicts how sporty fashion can be both stylish, but also very affordable, as well. By far, this is one of the most relatable layouts. I constantly use these images as inspiration when I go to the gym to work out!

Next comes “Fatale do Brazil” which showcases more sporty-chic looks from designers like Calvin Klein and John Galliano to the more affordable Nike label. I so love all the body motions captured in these images. It’s got a very stylish cardio-barre look, mixed in with a noir sensibility. This is certainly the way the Vogue Paris woman likes to works out!

After comes “GoldGirl.”This is a stunning editorial featuring many gold inspired looks on supermodel Hana Soukupova. It’s quite obvious that Carine Roitfeld had many inspirations for this editorial. Her influences range from Marilyn Monroe, The Bee Gees, David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust, to even the hip-hop style of Run-DMC. I think if you study the style in this layout you can totally see all that combined. Hana Soukupova looks completely elegant, but yet still rock n' roll with a touch of hip-hop. Only Carine Roitfeld could manage to blend all these elements together so elegantly!

The next brilliant editorial is entitled “Jeux Interdits” which features interesting ingenues like Joanna Preiss and Elettra Rossellini in 2004's hottest athletic-inspired ensembles. Personally, I love seeing Elettra Rossellini as David Bowie in Christian Dior. She looks very sporty-chic with a total John Galliano edge.

The last layout features model and actress Elizabeth Hurley in various black dresses by designers like Helmut Lang and Balenciaga. What I love most about these images is that Elizabeth Hurley is looking so glamorous and chic while she is working out. Only Carine Roitfeld would envision something like this. I so appreciate the humor of this editorial. Carine Roitfeld brilliantly conveys with this layout how one should always look their best even when working out on a treadmill.

As we can see, Carine Roitfeld has completely transformed the idea of sportswear with this November 2004 issue. I so appreciate all the athletic themed looks featured… Mario Testino captured Carine Roitfeld's vision so perfectly. I must admit that whenever I look through certain magazines and see their depictions of sportswear I find myself uninspired and bored, but with this particular issue you can truly see sporty individuality at its finest… so many fashion possibilities to choose from, making it a total Vogue Paris classic. Carine Roitfeld clearly shows how both men and women can be both casual-cool in their sportswear, but yet completely sophisticated at the same time.. something I don't think that many people realize can go together so easily.

Brava to Carine Roitfeld for showing Americans and the rest of the world how sporty-chic is properly done. Indeed, this is one of her most memorable issues! On that note, I think it’s time to put on my Nike bodysuit and fur coat and head to the gym, see you there!

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Vogue Paris editorial images © 2004 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.