Nutella

Julia Restoin-Roitfeld has a fondness for Nutella (pronounced "new-tell-uh"), a unique and tasty spread made from roasted hazelnuts, cocoa, and skim milk created in the 1940s by Pietro Ferrero, an Italian pastry chef. Chocolate was in short supply in Italy due to the rationing of cocoa during World War II so Ferrero used the more readily available hazelnut to stretch his ration. The original version of the spread was called "pasta gianduja," "pasta" meaning paste and "gianduja" from the name of a local carnival character that was used in the initial advertising for the product. Today Nutella is enjoyed in more than 75 countries worldwide and outsells all brands of peanut butter combined.

Nutella® image courtesy of amazon.com.

Kiki de Montparnasse

Julia Restoin-Roitfeld considers Kiki de Montparnasse a retail standby for herself as well as for gifts. As Kiki de M. says, "We have designed and hand-selected exquisite collections of inspired indulgences that not only enhance a life of intimacy, they help create it. We will ensconce you in luxury, woo your every sense, and remind you that few things are as profound as love and beauty. Once you have experienced it for yourself, you will know the transformative power of erotic license. Such freedom is intoxicating…and addictive. Because love is all there is (and love is enough)." More fine work on the part of those cheeky yet sophisticated French copywriters: I salute the Kiki de M. slogan, "Thinking of you, thinking of me." Le cadeau parfait, c'est vrai. Carine agrees: "Lingerie is my new thing. I'll go to Kiki de Montparnasse. It's pretty—not trashy or vulgar at all."

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Special news for NYC readers:
Carine Roitfeld's favorite Los Angeles vintage store Decades returns to Kiki de Montparnasse in Soho now through tomorrow, March 21, with its Decadestwo Pop-Up Shop. Goodies from the closets of Hollywood fashionistas include Chanel, Prada, Gucci, and more. Don't miss the Decadestwo Shoe Blowout also at the Kiki de Montparnasse boutique on 79 Greene Street. Louboutins, Manolos, Choos, and other select labels at $150 (or less) on Sunday from 12 – 5 p.m. Enjoy!

Images of Siren Capelet and Breathless Gag by Kiki de Montparnasse courtesy of kikidm.com.
Image of Kiki de Montparnasse/Decadestwo Pop-Up Shop flyer courtesy of guestofaguest.com.

Tom Ford Black Orchid

In November 2006, Julia Restoin-Roitfeld became the face for Tom Ford Black Orchid and she also lists this strange and dark beauty among her favorite fragrances. Black Orchid is incredibly luxurious and hypnotic, exactly the type of scent one imagines being worn by a film noir starlet in her most seductive femme fatale manner. Concocted by a team at Givaudan led by Roman Kaise, Black Orchid is an alluring potion of exotic wood and fruit accords with notes of amber, balsam, bergamot, black currant, black gardenia, black truffle, citrus, dark chocolate, French jasmine, incense, lotus wood, mandarin, orchid, patchouli, sandalwood, vetiver, vanilla, and ylang-ylang.

The Art Deco inspired bottle of jet black crystal was created exclusively for the Tom Ford Fragrance Collection by Lalique and its simple elegance adds to the cachet of the perfume. When Ford chose this premiere crystal company, he essentially announced the end of minimalism in perfume packaging: “The Lalique heritage, tradition, craftsmanship and legacy of iconic fragrance bottles made the decision an easy one… In the 1990s, it would have been a transparent bottle with minimalist packaging, transparent juice and a minimalist scent. But we have become so dermatological in our approach to beauty that I wanted to put some glamour back into beauty.” Timeless, exotic, glamorous, rich, sensual — Julia again fits the bill, inspiring as the ideal muse.

Julia Restoin-Roitfeld in Black Orchid campaign images © 2006 Tom Ford. All Rights Reserved.

Emilio de la Morena

Julia Restoin-Roitfeld has been seen out and about in London and Paris adorned in this exquisite black furled dress by the Spanish designer Emilio de la Morena. The hot new talent debuted last fall and just unveiled his latest collection at London Fashion Week. Educated at the Central Saint Martins and London College of Fashion, de la Morena explains his inspiration thusly: "This season's collection has been inspired by Eduardo Chillida [a notable Basque sculptor], both in his metal sculptures but also in his graphic work in particular — his lithographs, etchings, silk screens and woodcuts. The silhouette is very strong, with volume on the upper body, and super-fitted dresses. The collection is full of ornamentation and detail — painted metal and geometric shapes that contour the body. Emilio de la Morena's woman is "super-strong, sexy, sculptural and chic." He may have found his ideal muse in Julia.

Emilio de la Morena Fitted Ruffle Dress photograph courtesy of matchesfashion.com    
Julia Restoin-Roitfeld and Robert Konjic photograph courtesy of interviewmagazine.com

Update on lundi 28 février 2011 by kellina

Regarding Emilio de la Morena's latest collection from the Wall Street Journal on 22 February 2011:

Julia Restoin-Roitfeld, who has been a big supporter of the Spanish designer, said she loved it before being whisked away to congratulate Mr. de la Morena. Ms. Restoin-Roitfeld has played a key role for Mr. de la Morena, who says that since he met the daughter of former Vogue Paris editor Carine Roitfeld, he now wonders “how will she wear this.”

“Maybe as a man designing for women, it’s kind of like a fantasy thing,” he explains, “so it’s really good to be more grounded about ‘OK, somebody would wear this.’ Not just because I fancy putting something on someone."

While he says he doesn’t believe in muses, he does “relate to someone who wears my clothes and makes them her own.”

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré

For decades Parisian women have trusted Embryolisse as their preferred beauty cream; this cult favorite appears in the medicine cabinet of Julia Restoin-Roitfeld as well. Lait-Crème Concentré (known as 24 Hour Miracle Cream in English) delivers serious moisture while gently soothing and calming. This rich moisturizer is renowned for its versatility: top makeup artists apply it as a primer in preparation for cosmetics, it can be used to remove makeup and cleanse safely even for babies, its soothing effects can reduce skin irritation after shaving, and its multiple uses make it perfect for traveling. Lait-Crème Concentré respects the organic balance of your skin and promotes renewal of its natural protection. As you restore and strengthen your skin, you gain a soft, glowing, ageless complexion à la Roitfeld, ooh la la !

Please note that Embryolisse Hydrating Cream is pictured. Image courtesy of Amazon.
Julia Restoin-Roitfeld photograph courtesy of Fashion Spot.