Conceptions of Success (Part 1): Carine Roitfeld

When Carine Roitfeld, the editor of French Vogue, styles a fashion shoot, she does not start with the clothes. She looks first at the model and comes up with a story: Perhaps this girl has married young and taken a lover. Perhaps she married young, has taken three lovers, and is about to go to Brazil. Perhaps she lives in London and is bored to death with mad cow disease and wants desperately to eat a great, juicy piece of steak. “I do a movie in my mind,” she says. “Who is this girl?”

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In the story she comes up with for herself, it is her ambition to look like the subject of a Helmut Newton photograph, and she does, in a way: She sort of exists in black-and-white, and her clothes often bear straps and buckles, a very light fashion bondage. She also looks, as has often been pointed out, quite a lot like Iggy Pop.

But she does not think much about her influences. “Some editors, they have that, they know all the designer from the beginning of the nineteenth century. They know this is triple cashmere, this is simple cashmere. Maybe they went to fashion school. Me, I don’t. I just get a feeling about what is exciting. It is all just from feeling. So I don’t know”—she pulls her lips into a pout and gives one of those poufy little French exhales—“I think maybe I have a talent.”

Roitfeld has been the editor-in-chief of French Vogue for the past seven years, ever since she took over from the cerebral Joan Juliet Buck. Roitfeld remade French Vogue in her own image, which is to say svelte, tough, luxurious, and wholeheartedly in love with dangling-cigarette, bare-chested fashion. French Vogue is now internationally major, to use an industry expression, with an influence that transcends its tiny (133,000) circulation.

So much of the fashion world is about negotiating insecurity—exploiting it enough to make you want to buy things, but still nurturing, to keep you close. But Carine Roitfeld is like the industry’s X factor: Fashion does not, could not, make her insecure. Fashion is the place in the world where Roitfeld is most comfortable and at home.

Because of this, Roitfeld’s French Vogue is the polar opposite of most American fashion magazines. It is unconcerned with making fashion wearable or accessible to its readers. It is not inclusive: There is no advice on how to dress if you’re shaped like a pear or about to turn 50.

In Roitfeld’s world, models are never too skinny, diamonds are never too expensive. Covers are not devoted to whichever film star has a blockbuster to promote, but primarily to models—when Roitfeld and Bruce Weber happened upon (former “Look Book” subject) André J., a black transvestite with an Afro, incredible legs, and an Amish-style chinstrap beard, they put him in a minidress and on the cover.

French Vogue assumes membership in a club that treats fashion unapologetically. Guest editorships are given to cool girls of the moment (Kate Moss, Sofia Coppola, Charlotte Gainsbourg), who post endless photos of themselves and their skinny friends and the details of their lives—lives in which such mundanities as medicine cabinets and grocery lists are shown to be far more glamorous than your own. The scrappy documentary photography of these features only underlines how naturally cool such people are: Their glamour is presented as something that doesn’t need the aid of stylists and special lighting. It is innate.

Credits: New York Magazine, Time Magazine

Carine Roitfeld was born in Paris, France on 19 September 1954. At 18, she began modeling, having been scouted on the street in Paris by a British photographer's assistant. She became a writer and then a stylist for French ELLE. While she was working as a freelance stylist, her daughter, Julia, was in a children's fashion shoot for Italian Vogue Bambini in 1990, photographed by Mario Testino. Roitfeld and Testino soon after began working as a team, doing advertising work as well as shoots for American and French Vogue. Roitfeld went on to work as a consultant and muse for Tom Ford at Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent for six years. She was approached by Conde Nast International Chairman Jonathan Newhouse to edit French Vogue in 2001.

In my opinion, Carine Riotfeld is successful because she has changed the face of fashion, from being uniform and uninteresting to something entirely different. Fashion isn't about buying and wearing cool clothes, following trends, etcetera. Fashion just is... fashion.

"So much of the fashion world is about negotiating insecurity—exploiting it enough to make you want to buy things, but still nurturing, to keep you close.

But Carine Roitfeld is like the industry’s X factor: Fashion does not, could not, make her insecure. Fashion is the place in the world where Roitfeld is most comfortable and at home.

Because of this, Roitfeld’s French Vogue is the polar opposite of most American fashion magazines. It is unconcerned with making fashion wearable or accessible to its readers. It is not inclusive: There is no advice on how to dress if you’re shaped like a pear or about to turn 50."

What sets her apart is the impact that her decisions make. Instead of doing things the usual way, she chose the alternative route, changing others' perception of fashion. Choosing to be different. Injecting her own style, her own flair. Impacting people, yet doing it so subtly. That's what truly inspires me.

Scholarship and service

When I first think of scholarships, I think of geeky people who graduate with honours in their subject(s) and get sponsored into a higher institution. However, that is just shallow and a mere surface level look on scholars. Scholarship, as defined by dictionary.com, refers to learning; knowledge acquired by study; The most basic requirement of a scholar is one who is constantly learning, eager to gain more knowledge and insight. I feel that this is very important because we have to compete with everyone else in the world to get the job or the degree, to be one step ahead of the rest. An interest in learning would also be very helpful in that it would spur the scholar on to achieve greater things.

Apart from learning, scholarship would also involve leadership. A scholar is someone that everyone looks up to in terms of academic results and also discipline. It is, therefore, very important to project a positive self image and influence others to be follow their good example. Scholars should humble themselves, no doubt their higher intellect and sometimes more positive attitude, and help out his/her fellow classmates when the need arises.

Scholars are usually pictured as goody-goody students who study 24/7. This is one of the toughest obstacles a scholar faces, being labelled as geeky and nerdy. Like I've mentioned earlier, it's very shallow to judge someone just because they seem to study more. I would like very much to clarify that a scholar is not a geek. It is a mere stereotype/misconception of a scholar. People need to see through the geek label and realise that a scholar is like anyone of them. Not a study freak, but someone driven by hard work and the interest of learning. They need to realise this first in order to be motivated to work harder and learn continuously. (see, leadership sets in here!)

Leading hearts, leading minds. We need to apply the school's vision to lead others to achieve their best. First off, a scholar can start by influencing his/her peers. A scholar needs to show that work can be done and done well. A scholar needs to serve others as well, helping his/her classmates when they've missed out on lessons/have not been paying attention in class/are simply slower in processing information. Service also includes wining awards for the school through lots of hard work. This is also a form of leadership, in that it encourages the juniors to be follow the scholar's example of working hard.

MBTI Test

Your personality type is INFP.

Introverted (I) 86% Extraverted (E) 14%
Intuitive (N) 55% Sensing (S) 45%
Feeling (F) 70% Thinking (T) 30%
Perceiving (P) 68% Judging (J) 32%

INFPs generally have the following traits:

Strong value systems
Warmly interested in people
Service-oriented, usually putting the needs of others above their own
Loyal and devoted to people and causes
Future-oriented
Growth-oriented; always want to be growing in a positive direction
Creative and inspirational
Flexible and laid-back, unless a ruling principle is violated
Sensitive and complex
Dislike dealing with details and routine work
Original and individualistic - "out of the mainstream"
Excellent written communication skills
Prefer to work alone, and may have problems working on teams
Value deep and authentic relationships
Want to be seen and appreciated for who they are

The INFP is a special, sensitive individual who needs a career which is more than a job. The INFP needs to feel that everything they do in their lives is in accordance with their strongly-felt value systems, and is moving them and/or others in a positive, growth-oriented direction. They are driven to do something meaningful and purposeful with their lives. The INFP will be happiest in careers which allow them to live their daily lives in accordance with their values, and which work towards the greater good of humanity. It's worth mentioning that nearly all of the truly great writers in the world have been INFPs.

The following list of professions is built on our impressions of careers which would be especially suitable for an INFP. It is meant to be a starting place, rather than an exhaustive list. There are no guarantees that any or all of the careers listed here would be appropriate for you, or that your best career match is among those listed.

Possible Career Paths for the INFP:

Writers
Counselors / Social Workers
Teachers / Professors
Psychologists
Psychiatrists
Musicians
Clergy / Religious Workers

Introverted Feeling

INFPs live primarily in a rich inner world of introverted Feeling. Being inward-turning, the natural attraction is away from world and toward essence and ideal. This introversion of dominant Feeling, receiving its data from extraverted intuition, must be the source of the quixotic nature of these usually gentle beings. Feeling is caught in the approach- avoidance bind between concern both for people and for All Creatures Great and Small, and a psycho-magnetic repulsion from the same. The "object," be it homo sapiens or a mere representation of an organism, is valued only to the degree that the object contains some measure of the inner Essence or greater Good. Doing a good deed, for example, may provide intrinsic satisfaction which is only secondary to the greater good of striking a blow against Man's Inhumanity to Mankind.

Extraverted iNtuition

Extraverted intuition faces outward, greeting the world on behalf of Feeling. What the observer usually sees is creativity with implied good will. Intuition spawns this type's philosophical bent and strengthens pattern perception. It combines as auxiliary with introverted Feeling and gives rise to unusual skill in both character development and fluency with language--a sound basis for the development of literary facility. If INTPs aspire to word mechanics, INFPs would be verbal artists.

Introverted Sensing

Sensing is introverted and often invisible. This stealth function in the third position gives INFPs a natural inclination toward absent- mindedness and other-worldliness, however, Feeling's strong people awareness provides a balancing, mitigating effect. This introverted Sensing is somewhat categorical, a subdued version of SJ sensing. In the third position, however, it is easily overridden by the stronger functions.

Extraverted Thinking

The INFP may turn to inferior extraverted Thinking for help in focusing on externals and for closure. INFPs can even masquerade in their ESTJ business suit, but not without expending considerable energy. The inferior, problematic nature of Extraverted Thinking is its lack of context and proportion. Single impersonal facts may loom large or attain higher priority than more salient principles which are all but overlooked.


INFPs value inner harmony above all else. Sensitive, idealistic, and loyal, they have a strong sense of honor concerning their personal values and are often passionately committed to making sure their beliefs and actions are congruent. INFPs are also extremely perceptive about people. They value their uniqueness and typically seek unconventional ways of doing things. Sensitive and empathetic, INFPs tend to be exceptionally adept at reading between the lines. Although they demonstrate cool reserve on the outside, INFPs care deeply inside. They are compassionate, sympathetic, understanding and very sensitive to the feelings of others. They avoid conflict and are not interested in impressing or dominating others unless their values are at stake. INFPs seldom express the intensity of their feelings and often appear reticent and calm. However, once they know you, they are enthusiastic and warm. Feeling truly understood and respected for their unique perspective and strong values is important for many INFPs.

So I'm an idealist, eh? I guess that's quite true. I do have a strong value system in which I value love and forgiveness. This would be my primary stand on leadership. After attending the band major course during nco camp, I have realized the importance of forgiving people and accepting them (love!) I aim to be a good senior that my juniors in band can look up to, therefore I am steering myself in this direction. Breaking away from the mainstream also helps me to project a different image of a leader, to be strict yet approachable. This is vital to lead a group of people, especially since you have to be a leader and a friend.

After doing this test, I've learnt to understand my strengths and weaknesses better. And like what yvette commented, I can't always be stubborn and do things my own way, but learn to do the tried and tested.

Who Am I?

If I were to describe myself in one word, I'd pick "eccentric". Eccentric because I have my own quirks and style that differs from most people. Of course, not in a bad way, or good either, so to speak. But I really do feel different from everyone else, with their carrot thin skinnies coloured in awfully stark, bright colours and fringes that veil half their face, thus resulting in the use of only one eye. So who am I?

About me
I like being different everyone else. I do not understand how people can follow trends like zombies. I know, school's a trend too, but too bad I don't have a choice whether to go or not. I like to impact people in small ways. Not by shouting or wearing loud shirts, of course. Anyway, you should know me as Esther from 206 who plays the flute in XMSB.

Motivations
I am motivated by God. Yes, I am a Christian and I seek to glorify God in all that I do. I do not want to be good at things just to look good and claim the prize for myself. It's God that has been working in my life, changing the things that I do for good. I am also driven by the fact that I can find rest in God. That he'll lighten my burden and carry me through.

Also, I am motivated by my friends. They are like a pilar I can lean on for support. They're there to lend a ear, listening to all my petty worries. I'm sure they have their own cares and problems too, but they still listen and empathize with me.

Personality
I am quiet-ish, most of the time. I can go on talking and talking when I'm around with my friends. Sometimes, I can just sit there and not say a thing. It depends on my mood usually, or whether there's anything on my mind. However, I am adaptable to circumstances and am able to be outgoing when the need arises.

Strengths and Weaknesses
I am good in expressing myself, not just in words but through art. I do not have an analytical mind, thus having no eye for science or maths. I do not like following rules laid down straight in my face because I find that they limit my creativity. Also, I am not as bright or gifted as other people, but I make up for that by being hardworking. It's very interesting how you can find your strengths through your weaknesses! Being stronger in English, I tend to fare better in subjects like history and literature because they require long essays. Well, not that I like to write long essays...

Personal Preferences
I like...
1) Music! Indie/Alternative rock is my favourite, because it's different from the same old mainstream bands you'd hear on the radio. One big fat reason I love indie is because it's different. And different is exciting! :D A sub-genre of indie that I also like is twee pop. One word: Different. (Ta-da!) My favourite bands include: Camera Obscura, Los Campesinos!, Lacrosse, The Magnetic Fields, Belle and Sebastian, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Rocketship, Voxtrot, Firefiles, Say Hi(to your mom), Death Cab For Cutie, Arcade Fire, Nada Surf, Broken Social Scene, Stars, Wolf Parade, Sunset Rubdown, Frog Eyes. I think that Jeff Buckley was a very talented musician. Elliot Smith, Spencer Krug, Leslie Feist and Amy Milan are really good too!

I also play the flute and guitar(occasionally). It's amazing how a whole group of people playing notes can come together to make music. That's really the beauty of music.

2) Art is a huge part of my life. In my opinion, art covers a vast ocean of ideas, from fashion all the way to vandalizing on tables(not that it's okay to vandalize tables). Art, like music and literature is an expression of ideas and emotions. And since it is an expression, I feel that it should not be a gradable subject. I mean, how can you possibly grade how you feel?

3) Reading which is in use every day. Everyone has to read right? But I like reading for leisure. You can be in a whole new different world for an hour, and then step back in to reality seamlessly again. Reading arouses your imagination.

Broadening your general knowledge would also be dependent on reading. Reading the newspaper, reading the bible, reading notes/worksheets/letters. Everyone has to read right?

4) Movies, especially those cool french ones like Amelie and Hunting and Gathering. My favourite movies, unfortunately, tend to be rated NC16 or above. Mostly because it covers issues that would seem rather crude to little children. One movie I really want to watch is Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. I found the synopsis interesting because it was about music and two people who find love (don't you just love those films? :D) Some of favourite movies include: Pride and Prejudice, Moulin Rogue, Juno, Charlie Bartlett, The Virgin Suicides, Edward Scissorhands

I dislike:
1) PCs because they always have ugly, pixelated desktop images and look so drab. Once you've been brought up using a Mac, you really become biased against Windows! I guess I'm privileged in this way, since I've used better computers than most of my friends *smirks*

2) Maths, because I find it pointless to learn probability, venn diagrams, simultaneous equations, algebra, etc. Bascially, I suck at Maths, and I have no interest whatsoever in it. However, it's graded, so I have no choice but to comply to it's evil designs :(

Interesting Facts About Me
1) I like to drink tea! I always drink tea when I'm studying, especially when it's cold.
2) I like being different, but not so much so that it's become a compulsive disorder.
3) I take picture with my trusty holga that likes to leak light and make my photos look interesting without photoshop.
4) I decided not to go to the art school because I was suspicious of it exploiting talents. Of course, that's not the main reason I didn't go in the end. I guess I just felt that their choice of students was rather ... curious. In short, I didn't like the people there.


So there you go. That's me!