Carine, je t'aime!

Posted by Isabel Dexter at 13:01 on 24 Apr 2009

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I've developed a secret crush while in Paris. Well, actually it's not so secret - since I first saw her at the fashion week shows back in September I am considering going all Katy Perry for the Parisian high priestess of style, otherwise known as Carine Roitfeld. Apparently in the press offices here they just call her "Elle"; so unmistakeable is the editor in chief of French Vogue.

 "Always subtle in her choice of colours, but with such an attention to detail," was the description one of my French friends gave of her style. Its true she's pretty much always in black or dark grey - and the skinny silhouette, with the occasional volume at the shoulder or sleeves (of fabric, bien sur, not actual -  gasp - flesh) - was pretty much pioneered by CR. At the shows I developed a not-so-subtle way of getting backstage:
1. Spot Carine and kind of hang around her, surreptiously, until everyone thinks you're her assistants' assistants' tenth assistant or something.
 2. Put on big black sunglasses and pretend to talk on your mobile (I know, I know - I could be MI5 material, right?)
 3. When she walks backstage make sure you're right behind and slightly duck your head so it's almost touching her big fur coat.
 4. As soon as you pass the security people drop Carine as though she's one of those annoying girls who used to follow you around at infant school wanting to be your best friend. So now you all know the truth. I am not a real fashion writer, just a thrill-seeking stalker with a Bond Girl complex.

Mais serieusement, what I really love about Carine is that despite still allegedly being the next in line for Anna Wintour's job at US Vogue, she doesn't take herself too seriously. She's actually friendly and nice apparently (if you take your head out of the back of her neck, that works a treat, I'm told). My photographer friend says she's always happy to pose for pics on the street or to sign autographs. (Ok, honey, I know I love you and all but who would ask a fashion person for an autograph?! I mean really, this isn't The Hills you know.) And despite all that playing-it-safe advice that Parisian women seem to flaunt, I spotted Carine on no less than two occasions wearing an enormous candyfloss coloured feathered fur coat. She looked like a very chic version of Big Bird. It must be love.

Photo courtesy of Pauline Auzou

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