Happy Halloween Roitfeld Style

Roitfeld family photographs courtesy of Fashion Spot. Halloween trickery by Kellina de Boer.

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.

I Want To Be A Roitfeld: Please And Thank You

A lot of people are working hard here to make sure that I Want To Be A Roitfeld continues to please you. In honor of my 500th post, I would like to take a minute to thank all of them.

First, my sincerest thanks to all of the writers, artists, and photographers that have contributed to the site but especially to my witty and wonderful editorial team; as well as the talented illustrator who created our banner, Isabelle Oziol de Pignol (Accro de la Mode).

Next, very special thanks to my wonderful beau Michael who endures my endless IWTB chatter and encourages my endeavors constantly; please note that he was also kind enough to develop an Irreverent countdown clock for all of us, counting down the days until the release of Carine Roitfeld's biography — now proudly featured in the right hand navigation bar.

Finally, if you like what you see here, show us some love! Comments signify that someone out there cares about what we have to say so they are most appreciated, feel free to leave one now... Or if you are the strong, silent type, perhaps you prefer to express your feelings by following IWTBAR. In the area titled QUOI DE NEUF in the sidebar, by simply clicking on the icons you can elect to:

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Whether or not you choose to interact in any of these ways, I hope that you enjoy reading along. Please visit often.

Bisous!
Bisous!

Kellina

The Roitfeld Family photograph © 2008 Robert Maxwell and artandcommerce.com. All Rights Reserved. Courtesy of nytimes.com

Roitfeld Shows RETNA In London

Following a successful opening in New York in February, Los Angeles graffiti artist RETNA's "Hallelujah World Tour" traveled to London supported by Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld and Andy Valmorbida. Julia Restoin-Roitfeld and her beau Robert Konjic attended her brother's latest show although I do not think his mother, Carine, or his girlfriend, Giovanna Battaglia, made the time. Julia is wearing a fitted gray dress reminiscent of a corset with black lace sleeves from the Emilio Pucci collection for Fall 2011 paired with black heels and a silver clutch. Among the glamorous guests were Tolula Adeyemi, Kinder Aggugini, Lyndell Alison, Edie Campbell, Lily Donaldson, Daniella Helayel, Pam Hogg, Nicci Hunter, Dominic Jones, Stephen Jones, Suzy Menkes, Alison Mosshart, Maia Norman, Julia Peyton-Jones, Danielle Scutt, Caroline Sieber, and Jo Wood. A select group of 170 moved on to the intimate afterparty at China Tang. RETNA’s "Hallelujah World Tour" is on display to the public free of charge through 27 June at The Old Dairy, Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.; the exhibit will be shown next in Hong Kong. To see more of the RETNA show in London, view the photo gallery or the video.

Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld, Andy Valmorbida, Julia Restoin-Roitfeld photographs courtesy of livincool.com. RETNA image courtesy of digitalretna.com.

Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld: Looking Good

Our witty and wise editor-at-large Kate Ringo Suzuki shares her thoughts on Vladimir's hotness with all of us, may I say this is exciting stuff...

Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld: Looking Good
By Kate Ringo Suzuki 

Vladimir. In Russian the name means, “The one who owns the world.” Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld was born and raised in Paris and now lives in New York City; although he doesn’t own the world quite yet, give him time, he is still young. He is only 26 and he is on his way. At such a tender age, Vladimir has already pioneered the method of “pop-up” art galleries. He installs museum-style exhibitions in industrial spaces all over the world — New York, London, Paris, Milan. He represents the artists Richard Hambleton, RETNA (aka Marquis Lewis), and Nicolas Pol. Okay, enough beating around the bush. Let's talk about what we really came here for — the fact that he also happens to be hot. Time to get down and dirty...

Vladimir’s hotness boils down to a combustible combination of nature and nurture. Mix in his designer jeans and you could start a fire. Not only did he grow up in the fashion capital of the world, he is surrounded by fashion powerhouses. And by powerhouses, I refer not to luxury retailers on Madison Avenue but to the women in his life: Vlad is the son of the brilliant Parisian fashion stylist, Carine Roitfeld; the brother of the beautiful art director and model, Julia Restoin-Roitfeld; and the beau of beyond chic fashion editor, Giovanna Battaglia.

Take a long look, ladies. What do you see? You see a lean physique maintained with regular hour-long kickboxing sessions. Vladimir always makes sure that his clothes are incredibly fitted to show this off. He further emphasizes his long, lean look with plenty of black, occasionally adding touches of grey or white but never both at the same time. Because that would be too much color.

Vladi's typical work look includes black Dior by Hedi Slimane jeans of which he says, “They are my favorites. I started buying them when I was 20. They’re the best fit for me.” He also typically wears brown boots by Hogan (a gift from his fashion editor girlfriend, Giovanna), a black long sleeve American Apparel tshirt, a black cashmere sweater, (sometimes vintage, sometimes Marc Jacobs), a black Margiela coat, and tops it all off with a black Chrome Hearts beanie, but of course. Regarding the American Apparel tshirt, he says, “Any city I travel to, I always get some more American Apparel shirts, as I wear them almost every day.” Clearly Vladimir knows how to stick with what works.

That is not to say that he doesn’t mix it up a bit. When he goes out to dinner he might swap the black American Apparel tshirt with a white American Apparel tshirt. And he might shelve the black Marc Jacobs cashmere sweater for a fitted black jacket by Armani. He might even go so far as to wear gray wool pants by Alexander McQueen but never with the white tshirt. (Too much color, remember?)

Vlad, I'm teasing. The truth is that the all black wardrobe is hot and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Isn’t that right, ladies? His black on black attire says, “I am sophisticated,” “I am cool,” “I am downtown.” Vladimir is very “downtown.” He never wears a tie, he wears his hair long and loose, and he can pull off an eclectic, stand-out pendant necklace designed by Pamela Love without looking like some desperate Flavor Flav wannabe.

Hey, Vladimir! You may not own the world just yet, but your looks make the ladies melt.

Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld photographs © 2010 Condé Nast, © 2010 Patrick McMullan, © 2010 Flaunt Magazine, © 2010 NYP Holdings, Inc., © 2011 ES London Limited, and courtesy of beautyisdiverse.com and Fashion Spot.