“Her style is her big shoulders, long legs, tight jeans, sleeves up to the elbow, one hip out. I personally like her. Sheâ€s a handsome French woman. She has a style, but is it enough to make a whole magazine?” the designer queried. {Styleite} Lagerfeld said he would reserve judgement until after a few Alt-helmed issues of the magazine were released, but given the rarity of actual criticism in fashion it’s always kind of nice to have someone willing to say what others may be thinking.

It remains to be seen if Alt’s personal rock chic style means preferential treatment for brands (who are also clients) like Balmain, Isabel Marant and Gucci, or if she can broaden her focus to include a more diverse style range. Rumors around Roitfeld’s departure suggest that it was in part due to brand advertisers who felt they weren’t getting enough editorial love, and pay for play placement in the form of consulting and freelance gigs for those who did appear. {Fashionista}

So while some may have demanded change, will Alt simply be more of the same? For readers who liked the magazine under Roitfeld, that might not be a bad thing. For those who felt they weren’t getting a fair shake under Roitfeld, perhaps it’s not the change they were hoping for.

She spoke with Cathy Horyn and said “Itâ€s 10 years that Iâ€m editor of the magazine. I think itâ€s time to do something different.”

Though apparently, she’s not exactly sure of what something different is. “I have no plan at all,” she told Horyn. {On the Runway/New York Times}

It’s doubtful that Roitfeld, who worked closely with Tom Ford during his Gucci days and launched the career of model Lara Stone (who has since gone on to book major campaign after campaign), will have to look far for a new opportunity.

Jonathan Newhouse, head of Vogue publisher  Conde Nast International, told Vogue UK “Itâ€s impossible to overstate Carineâ€s powerful contribution to Vogue and to the fields of fashion and magazine publishing. Under her direction Vogue Paris received record levels of circulation and advertising and editorial success.”

When we spoke with Roitfeld at the end of the first Fashion Celebration Night (the Paris take on Fashion’s Night Out), she didn’t seem concerned with cloning the everyone’s invited American style event, instead opting for one that required invitations – which obtained by buying a copy of Vogue Paris, but invite required nonetheless. Though much smaller than the night in New York, it seemed to be a financial success for retailers, something no one has been willing to speak about for the US version.

It’s great that Roitfeld is going out strong, though we suspect (hope) it will only be a matter of time before she pairs up with familiar names. Is Tom Ford’s turn as guest editor a hint at the personal projects to come? If there’s anyone who understands taking a break for other creative endeavors and coming back to fashion in their own way, it’s definitely Ford. We’d put money on future plans involving him, even if they aren’t set as of yet.

Alexander McQueen Moves Forward

Goodbye Mr. McQueen, hello Ms. Burton. Long live McQueen.

Style.com covered the passing of Alexander McQueen and the showing of the final collection he designed, but something that was equally important this year was the success of Sarah Burtonâ€s first show as the new designer for the McQueen label. The passing of such a genius creative mind was indeed tragic, and the showing of McQueenâ€s last collection was a special moment, but Burtonâ€s signal that the brand can honor McQueenâ€s legacy while moving forward was absolutely stellar.

John Gallianoâ€s Dior Couture Wows

Dior haute couture was in full bloom this year when John Galliano showed his Spring 2011 collection of flower-inspired looks. The imagery and execution of the designs combined with the high, tulip-like hair of the models for a full package display of gorgeousness and perhaps our favorite moment in fashion of 2010.

Septemberâ€s cover girls

Though she is a French actress, Cotillard appeared on the cover of U.S. Vogue before her current Paris cover shot, which fashionologie suggests may be because Editor in Chief Carine Roitfeld was saving her for the top cover spot of the year in the September issue.

A deviation from the norm is a smart way to draw attention to the magazine for September, when all fashion magazines put out their biggest and best issues in the hopes of edging out the competition.

The last time Vogue Parisâ€s September issue featured an actress was in 2005 when Nicole Kidman received the coveted spot. Last yearâ€s Vogue Paris September cover went to Lara Stone. {fashionologie}

Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott photographed Cotillardâ€s stunning cover photo, in which she sports bleached eyebrows, dramatic plum-maroon lips and a vintage-y hair style. Love it!

The reaction from around the world is rolling in, and not much of the feedback is positive. While we understand that France doesn’t have a civil rights movement to look back on, or the same racial constraints as the US, racism, xenophobia and other problems do exist. We’re all for freedom of creative expression, and while the images may have been intended as commentary, we can’t agree with this particular demonstration even if we may love the people responsible. Perhaps next time the shoot can be done using orangeface, which would only run the risk of offending George Hamilton or Lindsay Lohan.

In an exclusive interview, Signature9 caught up with Vogue Paris editor-in-chief at the end of Fashion Celebration Night (the Paris counterpart to Fashion’s Night Out). Find out why the Paris event was different from the New York and London events, why the unabashed focus on luxury, and what Carine did at the end of the evening.

More coverage to come, from what shoppers wore to what they were buying, and if one evening really can make a difference against economic challenges.