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: La Fee Toxique

Throughout the month of March, the IWTBAR team will explore Carine Roitfeld's farewell issue of Vogue Paris from March 2011. From "Cœur a Corps Perdu," Carine's absurdly humorous soft porn tribute to her successor by way of the film Emmanuelle, to the lively and surreal "Audace Manifeste" as styled by Giovanna Battaglia, the last issue of Vogue Paris edited by Carine Roitfeld never fails to inspire.

To lead off the exploration, we begin with a look at "La Fée Toxique," a brilliant decision by Carine to feature Victoire de Castellane in her last Vogue Paris at the same time that the revolutionary jewelry designer was launching her first solo exhibit, Fleurs d’excès, at Galerie Gagosian Paris.

Styled by Olivier Lalanne and shot by Juergen Teller, "La Fée Toxique" displays the surreal gems from Victoire de Castellane's exquisite ten-piece Fleurs d’excès collection. In a strange twist, her precious pieces are named for illegal narcotics although she herself abstains: Extasium Ethero Coïtus, Opium Velourosa Purpa, Acidae Lili Pervertus, Quo Caïnus Magic Disco, L. Es Déliriuma Flash, Cana Bisextem Now, Héroïna Romanticam Dolorosa, Amanita Santane Diabolus, Crac Bouminalum, and Crystalucinea Metha Agressiva. The shoot is set in the colorful apartment of de Castellane and in the background we can see the childhood watercolor paintings of her husband, Thomas Lenthal.

De Castellane was destined to collaborate with Chanel, having being raised by her uncle, who happened to be one of Karl Lagerfeld's principal assistants. After 14 years spent overseeing Chanel's costume jewelry designs, inspiring the collections, and even walking the runway at times, de Castellane became creative director of Christian Dior fine jewelry in 1998 where she continues to create today.

In 2006, Victoire de Castellane was chosen by Sofia Coppola to play a small part in her film Marie Antoinette and in 2007, the talented jewelry designer was awarded the Légion d’Honneur, clearly the epitome of a Parisienne original. If you would like to learn more about the work of de Castellane, I recommend Dior Joaillerie and Victoire de Castellane, Fleurs d’excès.

More from Vogue Paris March 2011

Vogue Paris March 2011: Audace Manifeste
By Dara Block

Vogue Paris March 2011: Body Secrets
By Bernie Rothschild

Vogue Paris March 2011: Coeur À Corps Perdu
By Kate Ringo Suzuki

Vogue Paris March 2011: Expression Figurative
By Jessica Eritou

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Vogue Paris editorial images © 2011 Condé Nast. All Rights Reserved.

Vogue Paris February 2003: Gang Lang

Imagine skimming the pages of the February 2003 issue of Vogue Paris and spying Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld winking at you from behind a pirate's eye patch.... Vlad appears in the issue as part of a black-and-white spread titled "Gang Lang." Styled by Olivier Lalanne and shot by Antony Ward, the editorial focuses on Helmut Lang's Spring/Summer 2003 collection along with an interview by the designer.

I am intrigued by the choice of models for "Gang Lang." The lineup begins with Claire Dhelens, an editor for Vogue Paris. Next is model Natalie followed by Peter Kruder, the DJ for Helmut Lang's shows during this period. Beside him is Jerry Gorovoy, assistant to the artist Louise Bourgeois. Turning the page we see artist Jenny Holzer, model Amanda Moore, student Vladimir Restoin (he was 18 years old at the time) and models Jake Boyle and Stella Tennant. Posed on the page opposite them are model Anne V., ex-model Cordula, and her son and student, Ben.

My favorite passage from the interview: "A la sortie de son dernier défilé présenté à Paris, une journaliste notait qu'une femme qui porte du Helmut Lang a l'air intelligente. «J'essaie de ne pas leur donner l'air stupides» commente Helmut Lang," or in English, "At the end of his last show presented in Paris, a journalist noted that a woman who wears Helmut Lang has an intelligent air. 'I try not to give them a stupid air,' said Helmut Lang."

More from Vogue Paris February 2003

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

Vogue Paris February 2003: La Joueuse... Aux Jambes Nues
By Dara Block

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Vogue Paris editorial images © 2003 Condé Nast.

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.

Vogue Paris February 2003

February is a satisfying month for fans of Carine Roitfeld with the release of her second issue of CR Fashion Book and her first issue as global fashion director for Harper's Bazaar. I thought it would be interesting to look back at Carine's work from exactly a decade ago, the February 2003 issue of Vogue Paris. The IWTBAR team will review pieces from the issue throughout the month beginning with this fun look at the preferences of the VP team, fondly known as the French Voguettes. Styled by four different assistants and photographed by Thomas LaGrange, each page examines the individual aesthetic of one of the top Vogue Paris editors at the time: Carine. Emmanuelle. Anastasia. Marie-Amélie. Which is your favorite?

More from Vogue Paris February 2003

Vogue Paris February 2003: Gang Lang
By Kellina de Boer

Vogue Paris February 2003: La Joueuse... Aux Jambes Nues
By Dara Block

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