I’m loving these images of Julia Restoin Roitfeld’s new collaboration with Kiki di Montparnasse and was astonished to read this condemnation of Roitfeld the other day:

One wonders how Julia Roitfeld truly came to design for Kiki de Montparnasse, outside the PR fluff that’s sputtered out. More importantly: what qualified her to do so? The only answer I can come up with is that she’s the celebrity daughter of her mother; and we live in the time when brands lust for the spotlight. But as the old saying of like mother like daughter goes, this little rabbit is not befitting to her mommy. Julia like her quote un quote artist brother lack an artistic taste, vision, and talent. They might have aspirations, but true talent is amiss in them. Example in point is Julia’s approval, earlier this year, to release the film her boyfriend shot, The Crush. A film that should have never seen the light of day, and an act on her part that speaks of her lack of understanding to the arts. The bigger shame is designers like Kiki de Montparnasse who easily put aside their core values. I’m not completely against celebrity designers, some prove them self’s to have a point of view and talent, but in the general scheme of things the majority do not. What is further annoying is the type of questions journalists ask these wanabee’s, in interviews; hoovering on the shallow, instead of digging deep to prove talent and substance.

“WTF!”, I said to myself. I know this guy’s Alexa.com rank is increasing by the day (lower is better) and the last 90 reflect a much worse trend for the total year — but this critique hurts even me! What is his problem! Better question: what are his own credentials to accuse others of having no talent?”

As the former Fashion Director, Director of Product Development, and MMU bottom-line, merchant queen of Victoria’s Secret, I know that my own credentials pale by comparison to this guy’s — and I probably have no artistic talent either when compared to him of the very, very, very primitive paintings — but I think the collaboration between Julia Restoin-Roitfeld and Kiki di Montparnasse is well done.

I fail to see how Kiki de Montparnasse has put aside the brand’s design integrity, because this woman writer thinks the collection is totally Kiki and oh so French. It is perfect!

Question: has said masculine writer ever removed a pair of Kiki de Montparness fancy panties in his life? I doubt it but will not pursue this line of inquiry any further.

Madame Restoin Roitfeld needs no support from me. But just for the record:

Born and raised in Paris, France, Julia Restoin Roitfeld developed an appreciation for the arts at an early age. Her surrounding environment consisted of people involved in every aspect of the creative world, exposing her to fashion, art, photography and advertising. Realizing her desire was to build a foundation in this realm, Julia enrolled in the Parsons Paris School of Art and Design for a BBA in the design and management program, which entailed both business oriented and artistic classes. She eventually transferred to complete her degree at Parsons in New York City.

While studying, Julia completed internships at Visionaire, Baron & Baron and with photographer Craig McDean, allowing her to gain first-hand experience and valuable skills she would soon put to use through her pursuits as a freelance graphic designer, creating invitations for clients Jean Paul Gaultier, Luella and Zac Posen and logos for Genevieve Jones Accessories and Dasha Zhukova’s Garage Art Foundation. (and it continues)

Monsieur le critic’s resume is very hard to come by, but Julia’s looks pretty damn qualified to me for a young woman.

With regard to macho man’s assertion that Julia never should have agreed to release the film her boyfriend shot, ‘The Crush’, I would like to clarify that boyfriend didn’t shoot the film. Not to worry; it’s just a minor league blogging error, but Julia’s boyfriend Robert Konjic played her stud muffin chauffeur in the film, which was shot by Indira Cesarine for XXXX magazine #3. A woman shot the film, not ‘the boyfriend’.

Watching the fashion industry short again to see if I am bonkers not to have hated it with the venom of monsieur l’artist, I also read the commentary over at TFS. Several comments seem appropriate to this post and my own assessment of the rather adolescent outburst about Julia Restoin Roitfeld. The comments refer to Chrissy Makkas’ devastating review of ‘The Crush’.

Indira, my dear..your post made me curious so I just read the review and watched the short film. This Chrissy Makkas is obviously a s.x..ly frustrated women who can’t see the build up to the passion. The scenes, the colors, the angles you captured everything tells the story and you feel the emotions without hearing any words. That in itself is an accomplishment you should be proud of. I got the meaning of the film, don’t understand what her issue is. You did a good job, and be proud. Let her try to put together a short film, then she can become a critic! Anjollie Feradov (more ahead)

At least XXXX is original AND authentic. Christopher Daniel Hannan

I just watched it, and I thought it was visually beautiful. I think that when having negative things to say about anything (person/product/film) It can be done in better taste. After all that is why we value Kathy Horyn when she publicly dislikes something. As humans, we value honesty and need critique. The author wrote like a fashion tabloid writer. In order for one to write a review, one should be very well educated on the subject. I don’t get that feeling here on this piece. It sound bitter and hateful. Kristen May Lee

In closing I was about to respond to monsieur’s commentary about Julia’s mother Carine being over the hill and washed up, but said post seems to have gone bye-bye. To be honest, it was his devastating assault on old people that pushed me over the edge.

When dealing with a person who embraces creationism, as monsieur wrote recently, I understand that we are dealing with a mind very different from my own, which embraces evolution.

Sticking to the scientific facts only, I refer you to the 2009 Lazar Stankov analysis ‘Conservatism and Cognitive Ability’.

Brain scans, not only test scores, confirm that there really is a difference between my brain and that of the person who writes that he embraces creationism, or the literal interpretation of the Bible and how God created the world, Eve was made of Adam’s rib, etc. I wrote monsieur that perhaps he meant to embrace intelligent design, not creationism, but he stuck to his guns. Go figure.Anne