Vogue Paris

>> Vogue Paris's newly-named editor Emmanuelle Alt is not expected to make big changes to the magazine when she takes over from Carine Roitfeld — she did work as Roitfeld's fashion director for ten years, after all. But Fabien Baron, who was Vogue Paris's creative director until two years ago, said he thought Alt might make the magazine more accessible to readers: "She’s more commercial than Carine — in a good way. She’s looser, more connected to the street.”

As for whether Alt was the right choice for the job, Baron replied: “That’s the question that remains.” He added that she was the logical choice, given her contacts with top photographers and within the fashion establishment, and given that she has had ample time and training to know what kind of magazine she wants.

>> Although a spokesperson for Conde Nast France insists that a decision on Carine Roitfeld's successor at Vogue Paris has yet to be made, word is the new editor will be announced next week. And Roitfeld's fashion director Emmanuelle Alt, sounds to be the prime candidate; she, like Roitfeld, comes from a strong stylist background. However: the name of Virginie Mouzat, fashion editor of French daily Le Figaro, has also been tossed around. Alt could not be reached for comment, and Mouzat declined all comment on the matter. [WWD]

>> Carine Roitfeld announced her resignation from Vogue Paris — effective the end of January — last Friday leaving everyone in a tizzy. Many speculated that Roitfeld's next project would be with Tom Ford, but the designer spoke up claiming that nothing is currently in the works: "Carine and I have no plans to work together at the moment, and it is nothing that we have even discussed, but of course I think she is brilliant, and we are close friends so who knows about the future."

Roitfeld explained to WWD why she decided to leave Vogue Paris: "When we published our 90th anniversary issue in October, it felt almost like a double anniversary for me. I knew I wasn’t really going to stay much longer. I think it’s good to get out while you’re ahead, and I think right now, Vogue is outstanding. I’m very proud of it. I have an exceptional team." Furthermore, Roitfeld stated having issues regarding a structured work environment: "I have always been a freelancer, so when I was hired 10 years ago, I found it very difficult to have an office, an assistant, a schedule, fixed vacations. But at the same time, it was such a huge job that I said yes. It’s been an incredible adventure, but maybe in my heart and soul, I am more of a freelancer. I’m surprised I even stuck it out this long, but what made me stay is having a boss like Jonathan [Newhouse], who is an incredible man who gave me total freedom, and God knows I pushed the boundaries."

Carine also denied doing any paid consulting work during her time at Vogue Paris: "I don’t do any consulting work or advertising. I was the muse of Tom Ford and Gucci for years, but that was a long time ago. There have always been these false rumors. It’s like the talk about me going to U.S. Vogue — rumors travel fast. They are false rumors, and, of course, if I leave and I get interesting offers, I will do it. Why not, now that I can?" And the rumors did hurt her feelings: People were saying we were a corrupt magazine . . . It used to shock me in the beginning . . . One day, I was talking about it to Anna Wintour, who told me, “Look, don’t listen to anyone. Go for it and do the best you can.” She was absolutely right. You have to just harden yourself, but it’s not all that serious, really."

>> After 10 years at the helm of Vogue Paris, Carine Roitfeld has resigned from the magazine, opting to focus on personal projects. “It’s 10 years that I’m editor of the magazine,” Roitfeld told Cathy Horyn over the phone. “I think it’s time to do something different.”

She informed Jonathan Newhouse, CEO of Conde Nast International, of her decision, she says: “I have no problem with Jonathan, and he understood me very well. Newhouse, for his part, released a statement to Vogue UK: "It is impossible to overstate Carine's powerful contribution to Vogue and to the fields of fashion and magazine publishing. Under her direction,Vogue Paris received record levels of circulation, advertising and editorial success. Vogue Paris has established itself as one of the most iconic magazines in the world, with huge influence in the field of fashion and photography. 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. Carine will be deeply missed. I am extremely grateful to her for what she has achieved."

She plans to depart at the end of January, and expects to complete issues through March. Of her time at the magazine, she added: “I had so much freedom to do everything I wanted. I think I did a good job." However: "When everything is good, maybe I think it’s the time to do something else.” As for her future plans (could working with Tom Ford once again be in the mix?): “I have no plan at all.” Her replacement — some are already speculating former Vogue Russia editor Aliona Doletskaya or Vogue Paris fashion director Emmanuelle Alt —  will be announced in coming weeks.

>> Back in May, Next Management sued Ford Models for allegedly poaching Anna Maria Jagodzinska, Karmen Pedaru, and Ania Cywinska; then, last week it emerged that the three models in question are suing Next. They are claiming that they left Next for Ford because it was allegedly refusing them their bookings compensation: Pedaru says Next owes her at least $400,000; Jagodzinska says she's out $230,000; and Cywinska says she has yet to be paid $30,000. All three are each seeking $1 million in punitive damages in addition to their earnings in full, and they are also gunning for the right to look at Next's books to identify other victims.

Jezebel obtained a copy of the lawsuit, which includes Anna Jagodzinska's account statement at Next as of April 23, 2010 (the three models left Next that month). Regardless of the suit, it shows what organizations pay their models and how quickly they dispatch said payments. Vogue Paris, for example, owed Jagodzinska a day rate of $125 for a job done almost a year beforehand — in May 2009. And Vogue owed Jagodzinska two day rate payments of $250 each, one for a job done in December 2009, the other from October 2009.

It's well-known that magazine gigs don't pay much, but these are cold, hard numbers to prove it. If money is what you're after, go for a gig with J.Crew (which owed Jagodzinska $15,000 for catalogue work done in January 2010), H&M (which was still on the books for $60,000 worth of work with Jagodzinska in March 2010), or an agency like Laird + Partners (on the hook for $35,000 — Jagodzinska worked with them on Bottega Veneta and Donna Karan campaigns) or Grey Paris (which is listed as owing Jagodzinska $172,500 and works with beauty clients like Dolce & Gabbana, Lacoste, and Escada). Again, it's no secret, but now there's numeric illustration of the gaping disparity between magazine work and catalogue, beauty, or campaign work.

• Style.com's reality show North of Madison is rumored to run on the web only, rather than on television as previously thought [Fashionista]
• Steven Meisel photographed Gisele Bundchen for Vogue Italia's December 2010 cover [Models.com]
• The ruffle-filled Valentino for Gap collection — which was thought to be only available in Milan, London, Paris — can be ordered online through Colette [Nylon]
• Alexander Wang has appointed Rodrigo Bazan, who was VP and general manager of Europe, Middle East, and India at Marc Jacobs, president of his company. Bazan joins the designer's brother and sister-in-law Dennis and Aimie Wang, who will remain chief principal officer and chief executive officer, respectively [WWD]
• Miuccia Prada is rumored to be bringing former marathon Prada campaign face Sasha Pivovarova back, except this time she's said to be in the Spring 2011 Miu Miu campaign, alongside Querelle Jansen and Kasia Struss [TFS]
• Crystal Renn wore prosthetic cheeks and lips for the plastic surgery-themed Vogue Paris shoot she worked on with Tom Ford; she also had Ford sign the gauze mask she wore: "It sits in my living room as we speak" [Fashionista]
• Alexa Chung gives a video tour of her favorite Williamsburg haunts, proclaiming: "Williamsburg is sort of like my lover, whereas London is more like my husband. I love my husband, and I'll always be with him, but Williamsburg is so exciting." [Style.com]
• Sophie Theallet, on her training under Azzedine Alaia: "All this time in NYC, still can't get around 2 think in INCHES -Mr.Alaia formed my eye on Millimeters-how 2 explain take 2 mm off in INCHES?" [@sophietheallet]
• Hilary Swank said to be developing a fashion-themed game show, in which contestants will be tested on their fashion knowledge, for the CW [Vulture]