Brigitte Bardot

Among her style inspirations, Julia Restoin-Roitfeld lists Brigitte Bardot: "I’m a big fan of Brigitte Bardot, who represents my perfect woman, not so much for her clothes but for her attitude." Here is Julia at a party for Repetto, posing playfully with wall-size murals featuring Brigitte (along with Serge Gainsbourg on the opposite wall). If you have seen Bardot in her movies such as Et Dieu créa la femme or Le Mépris, perhaps you were inspired by her style as well.

I know that I wore a navy headband (wide) and cardigan for weeks after seeing Le Mépris for the first time. Of course the effect wasn't half as striking against my chestnut locks. Sigh... Is there anything like Bardot's hair for setting fire to men's souls? And that pout...

Here Bardot is pictured in the film Et Dieu créa la femme. I'd give anything to know who made the shoes she is shown in along with the simple chambray shirt dress that she actually wears as she bikes around St. Tropez. Only she could make flats look so very chic. 

Julia Restoin-Roitfeld at Repetto party with Brigitte Bardot wall mural photograph courtesy of Fashion Spot
Brigitte Bardot in Le Mépris photograph courtesy of Internet Movie Database
Brigitte Bardot in Et Dieu créa la femme photograph courtesy of Internet Movie Database

Update on vendredi 2 octobre 2009 by kellina

If you are in Paris, don't miss the Brigitte Bardot Retrospective at Espace Landowski through January 31, 2010. 28 avenue Andre-Morizet, Boulogne-Billancourt. Among other interesting archival pieces, you'll have a chance to see her 1959 wedding gown designed by Jacques Esterel.

Update on mardi 10 novembre 2009 by kellina

Visit Juliet's blog to read her wonderful description of the Brigitte Bardot exhibit.

Le Mépris

One of Julia Restoin-Roitfeld's favorite films is Le Mépris (Contempt), by Jean-Luc Godard. This film is also a favorite of mine and if you have not yet seen it, I urge you to do so at your earliest opportunity. Le Mépris works on so many levels that it is impossible to adequately describe, you must view it for yourself. We first feel Godard's contempt for the current filmmaking techniques through his lack of respect for the Jack Palance character and all that he represents. We also feel the power of the burgeoning contempt of the main character, Brigitte Bardot, towards her husband, played by Michel Piccoli. Her loathing of him develops convincingly against the counterpoint of the soothing teal blue waters of the Mediterranean and the memorable beauty of the island of Capri. Finally, there is the theme of money versus creativity as represented by the conflict between Piccoli (screenwriter) and Palance (producer); money triumphs as usual, a state of affairs which an artist will naturally despise. As Criterion states, Le Mépris is a brilliant study of marital breakdown, artistic compromise, and the cinematic process.

Original film poster source: filmsdefrance.com