A woman of substance: Our exclusive Q&A with Carine Roitfeld

Carine Roitfeld, the world’s most inimitably chic fashion editor, is back. She tells Rani Sheen what’s next for her.

When it was announced in December that Carine Roitfeld had stepped down as editor-in-chief of Paris Vogue, the fashion world erupted in speculation about what she’d do next. The answer, in part, lies in the book Carine Roitfeld: Irreverent ($110, Rizzoli New York), a mid-career retrospective of her most arresting shoots, notes from designers, and personal mementos. It’s a satisfying read because there is such a fascination with Roitfeld, the coolest woman in any front row. We asked her what else she’s been up to.

Was it difficult to edit down your life’s work for the book?
“Yes, because some of these [shoots] I’d totally forgotten about. Some were still good and some were, as you say in French, démodé.”

What were you looking for?
“Sometimes you can make a good story and sometimes you can make a good image—it’s totally different. I was looking for the strongest images, because if I included all the stories, I’d need 10 books.”

How did it feel to look back at your life?
“Sometimes it was like going to a shrink, as if he was asking me questions like, ‘Why do you use knives so many times in your pictures? Why do you use blood so much?’”

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