Monchichi

Mon-chi-chi, mon-chi-chi...
Oh so soft and cudd-le-ly...

Though Julia Restoin-Roitfeld is a chic, sophisticated woman she hasn't forgotten her playful, girlish self. When Todd Selby captured her home on film, he shot a few of her favorite toys including her beloved plush teddy bear and Monchichi posed together. I love the sunny little yellow toboggan and sweater in which Julia has dressed him.

The Monchichi doll—known as "Kiki" in France—was created by Koichi Sekiguchi in Tokyo in 1974. The doll inspired an animated series that premiered in Japan in 1980 and in the US in 1983. Unfortunately The Monchichis could not compete with The Smurfs for Saturday morning air time and was cancelled after only one season. The catchy theme song was apparently no match for Smurfette.

Photograph of Julia Restoin-Roitfeld's Monchichi and teddy bear © 2009 Todd Selby. All Rights Reserved.

Update on mercredi 9 juin 2010 by kellina

Oh how very cute is this! Julia Restoin-Roitfeld snuggling with her Monchichi...

Tom Binns

Julia Restoin-Roitfeld collects beautiful and original pieces of jewelry, among them the creations of Tom Binns. Born in Belfast in Northern Ireland, Binns was influenced by the Dada movement to begin his own revolution and create his collection of "Object Trouves." He then went on to collaborate with Malcolm Maclaren and Vivian Westwood on the "Punk Couture" collection.

For his next fantastic collection, Binns will work with Disney to create jewels inspired by Alice in Wonderland for the Tim Burton film set to release in spring 2010. The "Tom Binns for Walt Disney Signature" collection is a limited edition and will be priced from $1,000 to $2,000. A more accessible collection "Tom Binns for Disney Couture" is designed in collaboration with Lucas Design International and will run from $100 to $500.

If you are in the New York area, stop into the Tom Binns Megastore for a bit of sparkle; it opened this February at 41 Perry Street in the West Village.  Note his hilarious "Anti-Luxxx" line which uses engraved silver medallions that describe the real stones that should hang in their place, "Big Diamond," "Pearl," Emerald". Love the irony.

Photograph of Julia Restoin-Roitfeld's jewelry by Tom Binns © 2009 Todd Selby. All Rights Reserved.
Photograph of Tom Binns courtesy of interviewmagazine.com.
Photograph of Tom Binns Alice in Wonderland design courtesy of GlamChic.

Beauty Products

2015 List

These products are currently considered "top shelf" in the beauty cabinet of Julia Restoin-Roitfeld. She wisely continues to refine her list of favorites as her skin and hair change over the years.

Hair
Amazon Beauty Rahua Shampoo
Amazon Beauty Rahua Conditioner

Skin
Bioderma Crealine TS H2O Solution Micellaire Peaux Sensibles Très Seches
Eve Lom Cleanser
First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads
La Mer Intensive Revitalizing Mask
Lancôme Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover
MUN No. 1 Aknari Brightening Youth Serum
Natura Bissé Glycoline Glyco Extreme Peel
Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask
Sunday Riley Bionic Anti-Aging Cream 

Face
Guerlain Terracotta Blush
RMS Beauty "Un" Coverup

Eyes
Eyeko Brow Gel
Eyeko Black Magic Mascara
L'Oréal Infallible Lacquer Eyeliner 24 Hour (Blackest Black)
MAC Eyeshadow (Espresso)
Sephora Eye Shadow Brush 

Lips
Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge
Lanolips (Red)
LUMA Sheer Lipstick
Max Factor (Ruby Tuesday)

Other Beauty Products
Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Firm & Revitalise Dry Body Oil
Epsom salt

2011 List

As we age, the needs of our skin and hair change and of course Julia Restoin-Roitfeld is no different. I have updated her list of beauty products to include those she has mentioned recently.

Hair
Kerastase Paris Chronologiste
Kerastase Reflection Bain Miroir
Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo

Skin
Eve Lom Cleanser
La Roche-Posay Anthelios
Lancôme Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate
Tracie Martyn Amla Purifying Cleanser
Tracie Martyn Enzyme Exfoliant
Tracie Martyn Firming Serum

Face
Lancôme Teint Miracle
Yves Saint Laurent Blushing Powder

Eyes
Lancôme Color Design Eye Brightening Shadow and Liner Palette
Lancôme Le Crayon Khôl Eyeliner Pencil
L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara
MAC Eye Shadow Satin
NARS Soft Touch Shadow Pencil
Yves Saint Laurent Dessin du Regard Waterproof Eye Pencil

Lips
Yves Saint Laurent Fuchsia Lipstick

Fragrances
Coqui Coqui Orange Blossom (Flor de Naranja)

2009 List

I am grateful to Todd Selby for thoughtfully opening Julia Restoin-Roitfeld's medicine cabinet and giving us all a peek at the wonderful array of beauty products and magical potions contained therein. Here is a list of every product I can decipher in the photographs combined with all of her favorites that I have culled from other various sources. I will continue to add links to more reviews of the products.

Hair
Borage oil
John Frieda Luminous Color Glaze
Kerastase Bain Apres-Soleil Shampoo
Kerastase Bain Apres-Soleil Conditioner
Kerastase Soleil Micro Voile Protecteur

Skin
Avene Emulsion Solaire SPF 50
Bio Calcium
Bioderma Crealine TS H2O Solution Micellaire Peaux Sensibles Très Seches
Carita Paris Fluide De Beauté
Caudalie Eau de Beauté Beauty Elixir
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion (perfect for flying)
Darphin Vital Protection Age-Defying Protective Lotion
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream
Embryolisse Hydrating Cream
Esr Activate Concentrate Cream
Kiehls Superbly Restorative Body Lotion
La Prairie Skin Caviar
Mario Badescu Buttermilk Moisturizer
Mario Badescu Rolling Cream Peel With AHA
Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum
Shiseido Day Cream SPF 15
Shiseido The Skincare Night Moisture Recharge
Svr Densitium Crème Riche
Yves Saint Laurent Eau Tonique Demaquillante Visage Et Yeux
Yves Saint Laurent Gommage Action Biologique
Yves Saint Laurent Top Secrets
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat

Face
Never foundation, just tons of moisturizer! (see exhaustive list above)
Chanel Iréelle Soleil Bronzer
Shiseido Accentuating Color Stick (Peach Flush)

Eyes
Chanel Eye Pencil Le Crayon Khôl
Chanel Inimitable Mascara
Chanel Ligne Extreme (Encre Noire)
MAC Liquid Eyeliner

Lips
Chanel New York Red Hydrabase Creme Lipstick
MAC Lip Conditioner SPF 15

Fragrances
Comptoir Sud Pacifique Aqua Motu
Coqui Coqui Perfumes Maderas Eau De Cologne
Jil By Jil Sander
Sensual Jil By Jil Sander
Tom Ford Black Orchid

Other Beauty Products
Kiehl's Bath and Shower Liquid Body Cleanser
Oenobiol Solaire Capsules
Roc Hydra + Anti-Fatigue Mask

Photographs of the beauty products in the medicine cabinet of Julia Restoin-Roitfeld © 2009 Todd Selby. All Rights Reserved.

Dary's

One of Julia Restoin-Roitfeld's shopping staples is the Parisian vintage jewelry store Dary's. A favorite of fashionistas everywhere, this treasure has been in the same family for nearly a century. If you seek accessories vintage or modern, Dary's is the place—located on rue St-Honoré and literally steps from Place Vendôme. Picture Ali Baba's cave owned by a friendly, knowledgeable French family with everything that you can imagine for sale. The walls are lined with unique vintage finds and the drawers are stuffed with curious objects. Be sure to visit Dary's web site and watch the little video, what a delightful shop and staff they have! The family-owned spirit really shines. As do all those glistening jewels...

Dary's images courtesy of darys.fr.

Alexis Bittar

Julia Restoin-Roitfeld has an eye for unique jewelry and fresh new designers. The statement piece from her collection pictured above is designed by Alexis Bittar and was a gift from her boyfriend. Bittar is a driven and passionate artist, he began selling jewelry from an outdoor stall in Manhattan at age 13 and eventually started doing his own designs. Twenty years later, Bittar's creations are sold at high end stores worldwide and he heads a staff of approximately 160. His jewelry is made by hand and his lines are titled "Elements," "Lucite," and "Miss Havisham" which includes Julia's cuff shown here.

Alexis Bittar bracelet photograph © 2009 Todd Selby. All Rights Reserved.
Alexis Bittar photograph courtesy of Stylecaster.com