Au Revoir, Carine Roitfeld

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Carine Roitfeld, "editrix" of fashion industry bible VOGUE Paris, has announced her resignation from the publication in January 2011. Under Roitfeld's leadership, VOGUE Paris became a) a worldwide phenomenon, and b) like her, in the words of New York Magazine "which is to say svelte, tough, luxurious, and wholeheartedly in love with dangling-cigarette, bare-chested fashion."

 Roitfeld, famed for her long, swingy hair and kohl-rimmed eyes, has indeed been copied relentlessly by fashionistas. Her bad girl, devil-may-care look goes completely with her opposition to France's smoking ban, disregard for alienating mainstream magazine readers, and penchant for fur coats. Roitfeld's personal life, full of social connections with "it-girls" (including Charlotte Gainsbourg and Clémence Poésy) and party-hopping, has also frequently been in the topic of conversation.

Besides working at VOGUE Paris, Roitfeld famously served as a stylist and muse for Tom Ford, when he worked at both Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent.  She is also well-known for her styling work with photographer and close friend Mario Testino.  Roitfeld has in fact declared her intent to work on "personal projects" afer her departure from the magazine...perhaps Testino will offer his assistance.  Regardless, Scarlet Style offers its bittersweet adieu to the style maven.  For more of Roitfeld, you can check out the CNN documentary on her below. 

--ZS

Students Speak: Jenna Stern

Heading home with tons of laundry to do? SAS sophomore Jenna Stern how you can stay cute and stylish as the semester winds down. She also gives Scarlet Style a peek into her closet and reveals her shoe collection.

Students Speak: Stefanie Pires

Check out the short video below to see SAS sophomore Stefanie Pires's awesome jewelry, fashion inspiration, and places she likes to shop.

Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--CAC Quad

Natallia Khalpukova

Jacket--H & M, Top--Cache, Skirt--Max Studio, Shoes--Jessica Simpson

Fashion and Film: Stylish Ideas for Halloween Costumes

Halloween at college is generally filled with the pressure for young women to dress up as "slutty [insert occupation]."  But who wants to be limited to the usual crew of firefighters and nurses?  Scarlet Style offers some fashionable alternatives from our favorite films for those who dare to stand out in the crowd.

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1.  Rachel, played by Sean Young in Blade Runner

Rachel, a human-type robot known as a replicant, completely owns the retro-futuristic style of Ridley Scott's Blade Runner.  To channel her neo-femme fatale look, don a black dress with heavy shoulder pads and put your hair back in a prim bun.  To finish the look, carry a cigarrette holder and wear heavy red lipstick. 

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2. Marie Antoinette, played by Kirsten Dunst in the film of the same name

Marie Antoinette was the original material girl--her penchant for dresses, shoes, and wigs was extraordinary.  While this costume requires extra effort (a dress and powdered wig), Rutgers is sure to be in awe of you.  Another idea is to gather several friends to also dress in period costume, to serve as the "royal court."

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3. Patricia, as played by Jean Seberg in Breathless

For a more easygoing costume, adopt the joie de vivre of Patricia, the female lead in Jean-Luc Godard's New Wave film Breathless.  Patricia's style is easygoing as she and boyfriend Michel are on the run from the cops.  All you need is a pair of dark skinny pants, flats, and a tee shirt which bears the logo of the New York Herald Tribune (available online).  Easy, non?

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4. Trinity, as played by Carrie-Anne Moss in The Matrix trilogy

For those who want a "tougher" Halloween costume, consider the style of Trinity.  The badass from the future wears black like its going out of style, often in the form of leather and PVC.  To replicate her look, simply don an all-black, leather-heavy ensemble, slick your hair back, and sport a pair of sunglasses. 

--ZS

Modern Gothic--Outside Scott, College Ave

Silvana  Ostafi

Boots--Frye, Dress--Shopbop, Vest--Target 

Designers Discuss: Monica Lee

As part of our organization's mission, Scarlet Style aims to find and interview creative-minded Rutgers students who have an avid interest in fashion. Monica Lee, a senior at Rutgers, spends her spare time designing and creating clothes for herself and her friends. We can't thank her enough for creating time out of her busy schedule to have an email correspondence with us. Check out the interview below!

1. How did you first become interested in fashion design?

I first became interested in fashion design because my mom sewed a lot, so I started to make purses at a young age. Then, at school, someone stole the first purse that I made. Upset but determined, I wanted to make purses and other things that were different and personalized to my style so that if they ever wore it, I would know I made it. That event evolved into my passion for design, creativity, and a more distinct style.


2. What items or pieces of clothing are your favorite to make?Why?

I think dresses and tops are my favorite to make. Tops are fun because many times, I like to be environmentally friendly, and grab clothes that I already have and make a new top out of it. Dresses are fun to create because they are nice to wear and the fact that dresses can change from casual to sophisticated with a different material.

3. Where do you find the inspiration for your pieces?

I think people and fashion are the usual inspiration for my pieces. I was recently inspired by a friend because he was fascinated that I could create clothing. That motivated me to create a summer dress and a tube top over the summer. In general, my family is inspirational because they always motivate me to be creative, productive, and to have fun. Fashion is also a factor because many times I would find something I like in a store, or online. Because the price is too high or I don't feel like spending the money, I'd take that piece as an inspiration and go out to buy something to similarly replicate it.

4. What do you plan to do in the future with your talent for design?

I'd love to start my own business maybe with accessories in the future, and maybe branch out into clothes. But for right now, I'm using it to give back to the community. I'm going to show my pieces at a charity benefit concert/fashion show this fall semester that is sponsored by my club organization, Unite for Sight.

5. How do you feel about fashion at Rutgers? What would you like to see happen?
 
I feel that fashion at Rutgers is very diverse. I think it's great that there are so many different styles at this school. I would like to see more people who design their clothes make it public to the Rutgers community so that everyone can appreciate it and maybe get inspired.

--MA