Carine Roitfeld Explains Why She Hates Fashion Shows

French Vogue Editor-In-Chief Carine Roitfeld sat down with the New York Times to talk about the 90th anniversary issue of the glossy, the one upon which Lara Stone poses topless. She told the Times, "Vogue is a very specific world. You are Vogue, or not Vogue. There are some editors and writers who can be very good, and still not Vogue."

When asked what bothers her about fashion today, Roitfeld explained to the Times:

Sometimes I think, Why do I have to go to a show? Half an hour driving, half an hour waiting, seeing the show, then half an hour back. And when I get back, I see the show on the Internet. Sometimes it goes too quick sometimes. I like the idea of what Tom Ford did in New York. No one saw one outfit, except the 100 people who were guests. It was smart, because it makes envy. It's too easy that Prada makes a collection and two hours later its on the Net and everyone can copy it. It's too quick now, but I don't think we can do anything about that. It's just the time.

She also said that she dreams of opening a karaoke bar. Her favorite song is "You're So Vain" and, "It's dedicated to a lot of people."

Curious about Carine's style? Check out our slideshow on the Best-Dressed Fashion Editors.

Comments

[diedrelavonne]

04:15 PM on 10/20/2010

Roitfield has been in the business too long that she has forgotten that the fashion show is the culmination of many artisans and crafts people work (jobs, jobs, jobs people) and her influencial presence is necessary to pick up on the subleties that suppose to inform the editorial processes of the magazine. The way the textile feels, how the clothing, accessories and beauty choices form a vision. If she is too jaded or self-involved to care anymore then it's time to move aside and let someone else sit in the big chair.

[diedrelavonne]

04:06 PM on 10/20/2010

(to the tune of you're so vain)
You're so self-involved...
I bet you think its all about you
You're so sefl-involved...
I bet you think this show its all about you, don't you, don't you, don't you?

[thentheresmaude]

04:37 PM on 10/20/2010

I think its because she looks like a dried up old prune and everyone around her is prettier than she is, she can't handle it anymore. This is what Anna Wintour would like 20 yrs younger without botox.

[Mekales]

08:01 PM on 10/03/2010

Oh PLEEEEASE! Wah-Wha-Wha. Life is so...so....'half hour drive' for you dear. Reality Check: You have a driver, people falling at your feet, all the bests that life can offer in food & drink...and you have the gall to whine about what a drag it is to go sit on your a** for half an hour at a fashion show.
Try working a real labor job for a barely living wage.

You live in a fantasy world.

[Vivian Alicia Evans]

08:55 PM on 10/03/2010

cry me a river. f&f!

[mc]

02:42 PM on 10/01/2010

She looks ill.

[lolyla]

01:21 PM on 10/02/2010

She looks like her heroin dealer called in sick.

[Vivian Alicia Evans]

08:53 PM on 10/03/2010

I thought so too.

[Pandoramack]

06:39 AM on 10/01/2010

She's right, I log online and see the lineups on my own time. And no, it's hardly glamorous and I'd love to go to a show or even have her job, but it's definitely more efficient unless all top designers go back to Tom Ford's world for it's exclusivity and "first to see" moments.

[Queen Cassandra]

10:30 PM on 09/30/2010

Carrie you need a sauna dear.

[Aitch5]

10:06 PM on 09/30/2010

I hope the interview has more insider dish than what is presented here.

[ZenSufi]

08:21 PM on 09/30/2010

Party pooper.

[jukesgrrl]

04:56 PM on 09/30/2010

That's a photo of someone who needs antidepressants.

[Daisytoo]

03:30 PM on 09/30/2010

She makes the Olson twins look wholesome.

[pinkindie]

11:58 AM on 09/30/2010

OMG, it's Iggy Pop!

[freddychef]

11:54 PM on 10/02/2010

thats the comment i was looking to fave. new somone would see it.

[Tenley]

11:46 AM on 09/30/2010

I had a coworker who started covering Congress by watching CSPAN. Not the same thing. You see the final result but don't have a clue what's going on in the background -- what's in, what's out, who's moving things and in control and who's irrelevant.

[bigkendallas]

11:14 AM on 09/30/2010

As I understand, the idea of a fashion show was to introduce the new ideas from designers to buyers. In essence, it's basically a big sales pitch to the retail stores.

With the release of the entire show on Youtube, it's simply unnecessary from a business standpoint to go to a fashion show.

[janedoe31]

11:13 AM on 09/30/2010

seeing an fashion show live and watching a fashion show on the internet............hmmm isn't it her in her best interest to view the show live to not only see the clothes but to see the reaction of the audience, be it the would be consumer , the media, the other editors and to discuss what they did or didn't like. maybe she could also pick up a few tips on her personal presentation of herself. IT'S HER JOB.............maybe it's time Vogue finds a replacement since her job is such a hassle to be part of the fashion world

[catcancook]

11:07 AM on 09/30/2010

Wow, what a crank. I'd love to have her job. Looking at beautiful clothes and then getting angry about driving there and back? So many people are out of work all over the world and she is miserable getting paid to look at fashion? Try to walk in the unfashionable shoes of people who pick up garbage for a living!