Roitfeld Leaving French Vogue

Today Carine Roitfeld announced that she will leave her position as editor-in-chief of French Vogue.     "Nothing is wrong, it's more of a Seinfeld situation. It’s ten years that I’m editor of the magazine. I think it’s time to do something different.” She said her departure had nothing to do with Condé Nast International chief executive Jonathan Newhouse. Horyn reports:

Ms. Roitfeld often did the styling for photo shoots. “I had so much freedom to do everything I wanted. I think I did a good job.” But she added, “When everything is good, maybe I think it’s the time to do something else.” She expects to complete issues through March. She said she was not sure what she would do after that. “I have no plan at all,” she said.

Newhouse said that under Roitfeld, French Vogue "received record levels of circulation and advertising and editorial success." He added that she will be "deeply missed" and noted, "Carine herself has become widely known as a beacon of style, fulfilling the role with charm and graciousness. She has become a giant in her profession." Condé Nast France president Xavier Romatet said in a blog post announcing Roitfeld's move on the magazine's website, "Of course, I regret Carine's decision, even if I understand it. One page turns and a new step begins for this solid and powerful brand that is sure of its values."

“My best quality is to be stylist. I never think about this career, this big job,” she says. “I never wanted to be what I am today, and I will not die in the position.” She still finds the idea of an office with a door where she’s expected every day (at least by telephone) somewhat troubling. All she ever wanted was to be surrounded by very attractive people and very expensive clothes. It’s always been “fashion, fashion, fashion”—so much so that she lists beauty and jewelry as evidence that the job as editor-in-chief has expanded her range of interests.
And she doesn’t care much for the business aspect of fashion. In an industry where accessories count for the bulk of her advertisers’ revenue, she has this to say: “Right now I think that fashion in the world becomes a bit boring. There is so much money, and I feel a bit when you go to shows they want to sell so many handbags, and for me, well, I do not like handbags. I do not wear handbags. It is not a nice look, to carry a handbag.”
“I’m not a business girl,” Roitfeld says. “I will never be a business girl, but I will say, for Anna Wintour, that I respect successful people, I like things that are success. But this is really American.”

Roitfeldhe announced her resignation on 17 December 2010 and will leave the magazine at the end of January 2011; no successor has yet been named