Carine Roitfeld: A French Epic

French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld is the epitome of Smart Sensuality chic. Forget her age for one moment. OK, don’t forget it. The sexy, womanly style bible is 55, lean and reportedly not half as mean as Anna Wintour. Not that Roitfeld acts like your best girlfriend either.

Roitfeld is known for a classic, body-conscious style that’s not slutty. In the 1990s, she was part of a glorious trio, sandwiched between Tom Ford and Mario Testino, branding a high voltage sexual vibe at Gucci.

As Averyl Oates, buying director at Harvey Nichols, says: “Carine has an amazing eye for putting together a look that is both interesting and forward-thinking.” Oates thinks that it’s the way Roitfeld mixes demure, grown-up pieces with aggressive high-fashion statements, some of which verge on the risqué — such as her bondage shoes, animal prints and love of fur — that has had the biggest impact on fashion.

The French editor is true to her heritage, expressing an individualist style comprised of carefully chosen key pieces. “I really don’t have that many clothes,” Roitfeld tells London times writer Lisa Armstrong.

“I think we need to become more frugal,” Roitfeld told CNN in March 2009. “Not on quality,” she hastens to add, “just on organization.” via CNN

“It’s become ridiculous,” Roitfeld continued, esplaining that where once eight people may have gathered around a table to discuss a photo shoot, now there are 25.

Vogue Paris August 2007, Snejana Onopka as Anna Wintour, Styled by Carine Roitfeld,Photographed by Mario Testino

The French editor then reminds us of something that truly creative people understand.

Frugality, combined with access to the necessary resources, typically creates the best-designed, innovative products. In that respect, let’s call it a Carine Roitfeld moment.

Rumours continue that Roitfeld will replace Anna Wintour at American Vogue. We can’t print how Gawker compared the two women. Let’s just say that Gawker called Wintour ‘uptight’ and let it go at that