The editorial staff recounts their best memories at Vogue Paris
CareerOn the occasion of the magazine's 100th anniversary, the editorial staff of Vogue Paris recounts its fondest professional memories. On the program, a few tears and many pretty encounters.
By Manon Garrigues
Vogue Paris is celebrating its 100th anniversary. An anniversary, shifted by a short year due to the health crisis, celebrated in two highlights: the release of a collector's issue retracing the magazine's biggest fashion series (already available on newsstands), followed by the major retrospective at the Palais Galliera where more than 400 works from the archives are exhibited. The opportunity for the editorial staff of Vogue Paris to look back on their memorable memories, between inspiring encounters, backstage stunts and memorable photo shoots.
A letter from Hubert de Givenchy
“One day, I had the immense good fortune to interview Hubert de Givenchy. In the digital age, this meeting took place through letters. He was already quite old and didn't want to/couldn't move around. Never mind, we exchanged in writing: I sent him my questions on a nice piece of paper and he also answered me like this. Everything was finally transcribed on the site. A beautiful memory, oddly poetic.”Eugénie Trochu, Head of editorial content
An exchange with Brigitte Bardot
“On the fun side, the masked ball celebrating 90 years of Vogue. As much for the preparation, punctuated by giggles, with the girls of the editorial staff, as for the evening itself: between couture dresses and spectacular masks, an epic, unforgettable moment. And on the work side, the August 2017 issue, devoted to the defense of animals. A world first in the history of Vogue. Followed by an interview with Brigitte Bardot with whom I was able to discuss the animal cause, for the November 2019 issue dedicated to the planet. Frédérique Verley, Beauty Editor-in-Chief
Unforgettable trips around the world
“It's hard to choose just one memory after more than 8 years at Vogue Paris. So many epic parties, furtive and exhilarating encounters with people I've always admired (Kate Moss and Tilda Swinton at the top of the list), privileged moments with the new guard of models in the context of videos (especially with Gigi and Bella Hadid, as professional as they are warm). But it is surely as a lifestyle editor that I have accumulated the most rare memories. All my trips to discover new restaurants, new hotels, destinations that have the wind in their sails, islands that make you dream remain and will remain forever etched in my memory. Like bubbles out of time, where we live “Lost in Translation”, abandoning family, friends and colleagues to go on an adventure with strangers (at least at first). From ten hours to surveying the mazes in Tokyo, its small vintage shops, its sushi counters with a view, and its micro bars run by Buddhist monks, to the sunset admired on a deserted beach in the Seychelles where we light from sky lanterns to an afternoon in James Turrell's immersive work in a former communist headquarters in Beijing, to wild Las Vegas parties sharing vodka pasta before a Cirque du Soleil show or the teeming jungle from Bali where an enlightened healer told me things that still resonate with me. But also improbable dinners in a small Swiss chalet, reachable exclusively by horse-drawn carriage where the Gewurztraminer helped to make people forget the return to the dizzying mountainside, diving in the Maldives to admire the turtles or the enjoyable discovery of the shimmering piece of Yayoi Kusama in Los Angeles. And I could go on for hours…”Jade Simon, Lifestyle Editor
A climb of the steps at the Cannes Film Festival
“I have the chance to cover the Cannes Film Festival every year, and one of my fondest memories is undoubtedly my first step on the famous red carpet at the Palais des Festivals, 4 years ago. Invited with my colleague, and now friend, to discover in preview the first two episodes of season 3 of “Twin Peaks”, with David Lynch himself, I have the memory of an afternoon of effervescence, between make-up touch-ups in a suite at the Majestic and arrival in front of the Palace in a car, welcomed by a crowd gathered behind barriers, on the lookout for the slightest star. A magical experience that I did not think I would be able to live one day, me who since very young remained stuck in front of Canal+ watching the live shows on the red carpet. And since the photographers did not point their lens towards us, young strangers advancing timidly towards these famous steps, we did not forget to immortalize this moment with a furtive selfie (at the time, telephones were still authorized on the red carpet), with shining eyes and a smile on our lips, intoxicated by this incredible ascent of which we savored every second before reaching the cinema.”Manon Garrigues, Culture Editor
A finale on stage with Jean Paul Gaultier
“It was January 22, 2020, 10:22 p.m., at the Théâtre du Châtelet, on the occasion of the last Jean Paul Gaultier fashion show. After 4 hours backstage in full effervescence, between frenzy and emotion, capturing these final moments in images and interviewing Amanda Lear, Antoine De Caunes or Estelle Lefébure, I found myself on stage unexpectedly. Let me explain: during the show, I placed myself strategically behind the curtain, to capture the best images at the exit of the podium. But to my surprise, it fell during the finale, revealing me on stage, facing the guests! I quickly got involved in the group of models, celebrities and muses who twirled Jean-Paul in joyful chaos, camera mode ON so as not to miss any of these fashion moments that were already shaping up to be iconic. Unforgettable !" Marie Bladt, Beauty Editor
A crazy night at Manko
“The Vogue Christmas party in 2018 remains one of my fondest memories since joining the team. The Manko avenue Montaigne cabaret privatized just for us, the electric and sexy show with the legendary artists of the place, the finale under the confetti and the whole team on the dance floor... A great moment of effusion to end a great year. I would also like to mention the Vogue Fashion Festival which gives us the opportunity to rub shoulders behind the scenes with the big names in fashion like Alber Elbaz, Victoria Beckham and fashionable tops like Bella Hadid, and come face to face during a break coffee on Karl Lagerfeld. A memory immortalized each year by a photo, the same for 4 years, on the steps of the Potocki Palace.”Emeline Blanc, Editor Vogue Lovers & Jewelry
A shoot in Karl Lagerfeld's apartment
“One of my fondest memories was for the December issue where Karl Lagerfeld was a guest. At the time, I was in production and we went to shoot in his apartment. I ended up in his room to help set up all the styling, it was pretty crazy to be in his house. He hadn't arrived yet, so we were able to visit a large part of his apartment (with its very surprising decor). Then, we spent the day with him for the shoot in his apartment and in the 7L bookshop where his studio is located. Emmanuelle Alt introduced me to him, we obviously discussed Choupette (and his favorite meal: salmon). I have very good memories of it and above all a unique encounter.”Emilie Zonino, Market Editor Jewelery & Watchmaking
An inspiring encounter with Adwoa Aboah
“I would not evoke a particular memory but rather meetings, whether within the editorial staff of Vogue Paris or outside in the professional context. Vogue Paris is above all a big family and it has been a pleasure and a chance to evolve for nearly four years alongside inspired and inspiring individuals, driven by the same passion, that of creation. If I had to pick just one though, it would be the one with model and activist Adwoa Aboah whom I interviewed as part of his Gurls Talk x Made to Play project with Nike. I think she is an example for many of us, through her journey and her concrete involvement in creating a safe place and highlighting mental health, a subject that has never been more important than today. today.”Héloïse Salessy, Fashion Editor
The Louis Vuitton fashion show by Virgil Abloh Place Dauphine
“I would remember two outstanding memories. The first probably remains my baptism of the Louis Vuitton fashion shows by Virgil Abloh. It was in June 2019. For the occasion, Place Dauphine in the 1st arrondissement of the capital took on the appearance of a Parisian district of yesteryear: the café terraces more real than life rubbed shoulders with the monogrammed benches of the house as well as the stands pancakes and ice cream. Seated, waiting for the show to begin, I observed the surroundings, the guests arriving one by one… Suddenly, the music sounded, the first silhouette emerged from the shadows. I then attended a shoot of a thousand colors, a wave of so daring clothes (I still remember my astonishment at the flowered harness) but above all, a casting where beauty rhymed with diversity. That was a show as we like them. Second highlight of my Vogue Paris years: meeting Patricia Field during my visit to the studios of the “Emily in Paris” series. For those who don't know her, she's simply the costume designer from "Sex and the City". Recognizable by her slender figure, her red hair and her hoarse voice, she shaped, for six seasons, the style of each of her heroines until she became one herself. Seven minutes (top time): that's the time I was able to spend with her, one-on-one, to discuss her role as costume designer in the series."Alexandre Marain, Fashion Editor and Vogue Hommes
An exquisite interview with Daria Werbowy
“It's hard to give just one memory when you've been part of the editorial staff of Vogue for 8 years! One of the funniest: when we found ourselves at 4 in a photo, with Juliette from production and two assistants present on the set. Because Célia Azoulay, the stylist, wanted four boots of the same foot, but of different colors, on her image. Otherwise, I had the chance to meet many inspiring people, but I must admit that I still have fond memories today, when I recall my very first interview for the magazine. I had an appointment with Daria Werbowy, one of Vogue's emblematic models, to tell me about her vision of freedom, summer and holidays, which we would then transcribe in the July issue. . I had just finished my studies, I was just starting out in this profession and I was so stressed! I confessed to him and Daria, who is known to be one of the nicest, was even sweeter than usual. She was even too happy that I did my first interview with her! It was from that moment that I told myself that there was really no point in panicking. And since then, I have been much more relaxed…”Mélanie Defouilloy, Beauty Editor
A day at the Vogue Fashion Festival
“My best memory at Vogue (and the advantage is that it can happen again!) is meeting the public at one of our events that are close to our hearts, such as Vogue Fashion Festival or Vogue Experience. Observing from behind the scenes the discovery of our universe by our readers gives me chills. The love of beautiful things, the passion for fashion, the surprise of encounters… All of this links us with our Vogue community: sharing our daily work is very rewarding for me. The human being above all.”Marie Périer, Editorial Coordinator and Wedding Writer
The Balenciaga show by Demna Gvasalia in a mesmerizing tunnel
“Impossible to choose just one, so I would say that I was able to work alongside Olivier Lalanne, the talented editor-in-chief of Vogue Hommes with such an inspiring pen, for 8 years. And then, getting up every morning having the chance to join colleagues who have become close friends, the feeling of having a job that is not a job: thanks to all these encounters during interviews with inspiring talents who aim for excellence in their respective fields, without forgetting all these extraordinary trips around the world. An extraordinary job driven by a passion that goes back a long way: this ultimate adolescent dream of working at Vogue, which came true through I don't know what series of coincidences and efforts. And never forget this chance. And of course, we must also mention the fashion highlights with these shows that sometimes jostle us: for me those of Balenciaga by Demna Gvasalia and more specifically the spring-summer 2019 collection presented in a mind-blowing video tunnel made up of LEDs designed by the artist Jon Rafman. Or the last show of the house before the pandemic (fall-winter 2020-2021 collection) with an apocalyptic atmosphere and a setting immersed in water and overhung by a threatening video ceiling broadcasting images of storm and fire. Hugo Compain, Editor and Digital Content at Vogue Hommes
A shoot on the rooftops of Paris
"It's far too complicated to choose just one memorable memory from my years at Vogue! But the most unforgettable moments are perhaps those experienced during the shoots, between pressure and excitement. In the top 3: 1) In a mind-blowing villa in the heart of Paris, the model was immersed in a swimming pool, with high jewelry necklaces, rings and bracelets, the stones of which literally risked "exploding" at the slightest drop of water. watchmaking in a helicopter, at the Paris aerodrome, magical. And finally 3) Another fine jewelry shoot, on the roof of Printemps, Paris at our feet at dusk... Unforgettable."Mélanie Nauche, Editor and Beauty Coordinator
A night at Vogue Fashion Night Out
“It's hard to choose one moment in particular, so many experiences have I had in 15 years at Vogue Paris: the masked ball organized for the magazine's 90th anniversary, the numerous editions of the Vogue Fashion Festival, the Vogue Experience, the annual gala dinner, exhibitions of iconic Vogue photographs highlighted on the boards of Deauville, at the BNF or even on the Champs-Elysées... But the prettiest moment is undoubtedly one of the evenings of the Vogue Fashion Night Out where we brought together more than 20,000 people in the shops and streets of the Saint Honoré district. What a thrill to see the unifying force of the brand and the enthusiasm of the Vogue community for this celebration of fashion.”Stéphanie Lefebvre, Head of Events, Partnerships & Promotion
A conference with Clare Waight Keller
“It was at the Vogue Fashion Festival in 2018, listening closely to Clare Waight Keller, who at the time was artistic director at Givenchy, and who immersed us in the history of the house before leaving us to ponder the complex relationship between the virtual and the real. One sentence stuck with me... “Even if we live in an increasingly virtual world, this will never replace the beauty of the real.”Hannah Ikin, EN Editor
A telephone conversation with Helmut Newton
“I remember great emotional moments, like talking on the phone with Helmut Newton for the preparation of the Belles en Vogue exhibition a few months before his death. Or exchanges with Franco Rubartelli telling me how he became a photographer and how he found himself working for Vogue US when he was just starting out in the profession while telling me about his travels with Veruschka for Vogue Paris. Finally, the masked ball for Vogue's 90th anniversary at the Hotel Pozzo di Borgo, so crazy! Everyone was dancing together, we ran into Kate Moss and Edouard Baer, Dita von Teese, Jean-Paul Gaultier…”Caroline Berton, Director of the Images Department
Unforgettable encounters at the Vogue Fashion Festival
“If I had to select just one memorable memory from my two years at Vogue Paris, I would probably opt for the 2019 edition of the Vogue Fashion Festival under the golds of the Hôtel Potocki, just a few weeks after my arrival. . It was the first major event in which I participated as a member of the editorial staff, a leap into the unknown in a way, certainly relatively stressful (even very), but more than stimulating. Then for the unique opportunity to listen to big names in the world of fashion express themselves on an inspiring theme - “The future of fashion: commitment and differentiation” - which remains strongly anchored in the news. It goes without saying that crossing the path of personalities such as Edward Enninful, Kim Jones, Victoria Beckham, Julien Dossena or even Bella Hadid did not spoil the pleasure... In short, a day that I am not ready to forget and which helped to strengthen my desire to pursue a career in the artistic sphere.” Thomas Guillemyn, Digital Editor
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