Roitfeld Presents Richard Hambleton: A Retrospective

Over 2,000 guests turned out for Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld's latest art opening, "Richard Hambleton: A Retrospective," held Friday evening at Phillips de Pury on Park Avenue in New York. Giorgio Armani sponsored the exhibition. When asked about the popularity of his shows and Hambleton in particular, Vladimir said, “It’s about the good atmosphere... People want to come. I don’t think you can explain why in an easy way. There’s just good energy here. And good art. Richard [Hambleton]’s coming to the after party, too... Richard was one of the biggest artists in the late '70s, early '80s in New York City. He was the most important street artist of the 80s. Drug use destroyed the lives of so many of his friends, so he sort of… went away for a while... but, now, he’s back... He was the founding figure of street art in New York, and after a lot of success, he disappeared for 25 years. We've been reviving his career for the past few years, everything in collaboration with Giorgio Armani — this is the end of a world tour... We rediscovered Hambleton two years ago — he hadn’t done a show in 25 years — and to now be having a show in this venue is amazing... Ending in New York at Phillips de Pury is the cherry on top.” In typical VRR style, the afterparty followed at Indochine and everyone got wild; rumors suggest Carine Roitfeld was drinking straight vodka by the night's end. Visit the photo gallery for more fabulous shots from the evening.

Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld et al photographs © 2011 Condé Nast and Billy Farrell Agency.

Merry Christmas Roitfeld Style

Thanks to WWD for thinking to check in with Julia Restoin-Roitfeld regarding her plans for the holidays. This will certainly be a memorable Christmas for the family and we are curious as to how they will spend their time together...

Roitfeld family traditions include a Christmas Eve cocktail hour with vodka and piroshkis in tribute to Carine's Russian heritage before moving on to dinner which typically includes "foie gras and my dad’s amazing turkey." Mademoiselle Restoin-Roitfeld plans to wear a brand new black lace dress from Givenchy especially for the occasion, "I love to play dress-up in the comfort of my own home," she confides.

Another special tradition for the Roitfelds is the opening of gifts on Christmas Eve. Each year Julia looks forward to exchanging presents with her family in Paris and she expresses her hopes for this year: "Something for the home is always one of my favorites. Right now I start to want to collect art or photo prints. Anything I can keep forever.” Maybe her very own Richard Hambleton is in order... Last year her brother Vladimir presented her with a lovely Chanel bag that had belonged to Catherine Deneuve, he needs to find something truly special to top that unique gift. Also, Carine mentioned buying a small work at the last Hambleton show, I assumed for her own collection but perhaps she intends it for someone else...

What will Julia be giving this year? Being a perfectionist like her mother, she has completed her Christmas shopping. Being a good French girl, she does not want to spoil the surprise. I wonder if she got maman her dream gift, a personal jet... Lucky for Julia, Carine says, "I prefer to give gifts than to receive," so no airplane required.

Prolonging the holidays, Julia and her beau, Robert Konjic, will travel to the Coqui Coqui resort in Tulum, Mexico at the end of January "to avoid the crowd and have the beach just for me and my boyfriend.” Sounds lovely! Joyeux Noël, Les Roitfelds ! Merry Christmas to all!

Richard Hambleton painting © 2010 Richard Hambleton. All Rights Reserved. Christmas cheer by Kellina de Boer.

Restoin-Roitfeld Launches Hambleton In London

Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld partnered with Andy Valmorbida and Giorgio Armani to host pop expressionist Richard Hambleton's first art exhibit in London and as surely as the champagne and vodka flowed it was another sold out show. "Richard Hambleton—New York" opened at The Dairy with a private viewing of works by the artist, half of which had never been shown before. Of course Carine Roitfeld turned out to support her son's endeavor, financially as well as maternally: “I am incredibly proud of him and I love the art too; I have bought a small, very classic piece.”

Vladimir looked masterful in a black Armani suit welcoming a beautiful array of guests including his mother and his father, Christian Restoin, his girlfriend, Giovanna Battaglia, Roberta Armani, Lara Stone, David Walliams, Imogen Poots, Amber Le Bon, Holly Fulton, Pam Hogg, Jameela Jamil, Reggie Yates, Saffron Le Bon, Zara Martin, Annabel Wallis, James Ruso, Kensington Leverne, and Craig Lawrence.

La Roitfeld was amusing as ever at the party, sharing anecdotes about Vladimir: "He wasn't a particularly artistic child — he was more turned on to football, and I never took him to museums," and a juicy aside with Grazia — she will be back in London next week for a Vogue Paris shoot with ten of the UK's best fashion designers including Mary Katrantzou, definitely an editorial I do not want to miss.

"Richard Hambleton—New York" is on view to the general public now until December 3, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at The Dairy, 7 Wakefield Street. Visit the photo gallery to see more of the party.

Carine Roitfeld, Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld, Andy Valmorbida photographs © 2010 Fairchild Fashion Group; © 2010 Nick Harvey. All Rights Reserved.

Restoin-Roitfeld Launches Hambleton In Moscow

Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld and Andy ValmorbidaCarine Roitfeld and Giovanna Battaglia Though it has been a few days since the opening party for Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld's latest gig, the photographs of the event are lovely so better late than never...

Vladi and Andy Valmorbida collaborated to curate another show for street artist Richard Hambleton, exhibiting this time in Moscow at the State Museum of Modern Art. The exhibit of new pop expressionist work by Hambleton runs through September 29; the art travels next to a show in London in November.

I love these images, the one of his mother, Carine Roitfeld and his girlfriend, Giovanna Battaglia is especially adorable. I wonder if it is tough for a man to be under the constant scrutiny of two of the world's most talented stylists.... Visit the photo gallery for more shots from the "Richard Hambleton—New York" opening in Moscow.

Carine Roitfeld and Andy Valmorbida"Richard Hambleton—New York" Moscow Opening photographs © 2010 Condé Nast and courtesy of mainpeople.ru.

Restoin-Roitfeld Opens Hambleton In Moscow

Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld has partnered with Andy Valmorbida again to bring the pop expressionist work of street artist Richard Hambleton to Moscow. The exhibit of new work by Hambleton opens today at the State Museum of Modern Art and will be on display through September 29; others cooperating in the event include Moscow City Government, Moscow City Department of Culture, Russian Academy of Arts, and the Moscow Museum of Modern Art. The opening party is slated for September 8, I am sure it will be a chic affair. However, since Fashion Celebration Night takes place the previous evening in Paris, mama is going to have to hustle if she plans to be there. The Hambleton exhibit will be shown next in London in November.

Richard Hambleton images courtesy of valmorbida.com