Château Lynch-Bages

When sharing a bottle on a special occasion, Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld prefers Bordeaux and especially the wine made by hand at Château Lynch-Bages. This family-owned vineyard located in Pauillac, France, has a fascinating history. The name "Lynch" on the label comes from a young Irishman from Galway that was chased out of his country in 1691 and later married into this property. The luck of the Irish, as they say. In 1824 the vineyard was sold to a wine merchant from Venice. The Cazes family, known for their winemaking, bought the property in 1934. This vineyard is rare in that it has always been owned by a single family and the grapes are still handpicked.

If you are in France, be sure to visit Château Lynch-Bages now through October 31—American figurative painter Ryan Mendoza will exhibit twenty works that he and owner Jean-Michel Cazes have selected for display in the château's old vatting room. Or any time for that matter: "Visits to the Château conclude with a bespoke tasting." Remember to enjoy in moderation; as Vladimir says,"Château Lynch-Bages, réservé aux grandes occasions."

Château Lynch-Bages label courtesy of thewinedoctor.com

Kasia Smutniak

Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld was spotted front row at yesterday's Giorgio Armani Privé Haute Couture Fall 2009 show with Kasia Smutniak and notice his beatific expression. I realize that I had just said that I wanted him to play the field a bit more but this is extreme. Kasia is the face for Giorgio Armani's latest fragrance "Idole d'Armani", bringing her fresh, modern appeal and rare beauty to the brand. She was dressed in an Armani Privé Spring 2009 floral print jacket and a black skirt. If anyone has any insights as to Vladimir's love life, please feel free to share. With no sign of Lily Donaldson by his side during Fashion Week, Vladi appears to be riding the roller coaster of love with any number of supremely beautiful and well-connected women. Who will be next?

Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld and Kasia Smutniak photograph © 2009 by Susan Tabak. All Rights Reserved.

Giovanna Battaglia

Okay, so maybe they aren't exactly playing footsy and they are probably "just friends", but wouldn't Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld and Giovanna Battaglia (the feet pictured above) make the most beautiful power couple in fashion? J'adore Gio so it is with great glee that I am adding her under Vladimir's favorites. Lily seems sweet but he is too young to be tied down to any one extraordinary woman. Look at Giovanna's shoes, c'est magnifique, and then imagine the rest of her outfit. I consider Mademoiselle Battaglia one of the most consistently stylish women in the world so if Vladi is at all Oedipal, she'd be a good fit. Few women can rival his mama's taste after all...

Visit I Want To Be A Battaglia to learn more about Giovanna Battaglia.

Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld and Giovanna Battaglia photograph © 2009 by Monochrome Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

Update on mercredi 8 juillet 2009 by kellina

Yikes, more evidence! Are Vladimir and Giovanna dating now? I know she's a family friend and all, but that's looking a bit cozy to me...

Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld and Giovanna Battaglia photograph courtesy of Inseparable Separates

Marco Perego

Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld counts the artist Marco Perego amongst his closest friends. To give full credit, I think that the Roitfeld love for Perego and his eccentric work may be a family affair. Carine featured him in a recent issue of Vogue Paris and is reportedly collecting his work. Also, I am fairly certain that this Minnie Mouse drawing that hangs on Julia's living room wall is Perego's style.

This former soccer star is known for his controversial and icononclastic paintings, often a fantasy that perverts images that we take for granted as innocent. For example, in Perego's painting shown here of Snow White, she drops all pretensions of virginity as well as her knickers in front of the Seven Dwarves. Osé, non ? I think the Roitfeld admiration for Perego is a natural, given Carine's talent for evoking iconoclastic images and causing controversy.

Finally, may I be the first to say that I think Marco and Julia would make a gorgeous couple, dark versus light, fine skin and bones all, here's the proof...

Marco Perego photograph © 2009 Luca Telese. All Rights Reserved.
Photograph of Minnie Mouse illustration by Marco Perego © 2009 Todd Selby. All Rights Reserved.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarves painting by Marco Perego image source: Luxuo
Julia Restoin-Roitfeld and Marco Perego photograph source: The Fashion Spot
Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld and Marco Perego photograph courtesy of oystermag.com.

Mario Testino

Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld has recently ventured into arranging exhibits for photographers. Given his family's extensive connections in the world of art and fashion, this seems like a natural interest for Vladimir. Among other influences, his godfather is none other than Mario Testino, one of the most esteemed fashion photographers currently shooting. As Vladimir relates, “Mario is practically part of the family; he used to pick me up from school when I was younger and take me to fashion shoots. I think that maybe by spending so much time with him that maybe I have a certain eye or an instinct for photography.” Testino was born in Peru and originally intended to study economics, law, and international relations before being bitten by the photography bug. If you are interested in learning more about his work, I recommend Mario Testino Portraits.

Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld and Mario Testino photograph courtesy of fashionologie.com.