Carine Roitfeld's seminal style moments – in pictures

Classic Carine. A bit of sheer in all the right places. Blouse buttoned low, hint of a black bra: this is sexy without being obviously so. The shark-tooth Givenchy pendant adds fashion edge Photograph: Stephane Cardinale/Corbis

Carine likes a classic coat with no fuss, but her stylist's credentials show in the way she knots a belts and the accessories she chooses. Despite having fantastic legs, she often chooses a lace-up long boot Photograph: Tony Barson/WireImage

Roitfeld is like an unofficial ambassador of the power pencil skirt. This one is by Givenchy, whose designer Riccardo Tisci she acts as a bit of a muse to. Note: Carine never shies from flashing a smile, defying the cliche that fashion editors are grumpy Photograph: Eric Ryan/Getty Images

Roitfeld was one of the women who made leopard print cool. Here she is during London fashion week, mixing it up with purple sandals and a trademark strict skirt Photograph: Wayne Tippetts/Rex Features

But Roitfeld also said on the matter of animal prints: 'You know, I think, as you get older, the snake is more chic than the leopard' Photograph: Sarah Lee for the Guardian

What we most love about Carine, aside from her impeccable taste and amazing shoots, is that she always looks like she's having a good time
Photograph: Andrew H Walker/Getty Images

Carine's sling was the 'it bag' of the hour in 2007 when the then editor-in-chief of Paris Vogue fashioned up various posh scarves to support an injury. For more sling fabulousness, click here Photograph: Tony Barson/WireImage

The Carine hair and makeup is a study in the un-done done look. She favours a subtle but smokey eye, barely there lipstick, and a glossy, expensive, but slightly messy mane. Tres effortless
Photograph: J Vespa/WireImage

Eveningwear Carine. She balances out super va-va-voom dresses with the aforementioned effortless grooming. There's either a slash of thigh or a sliver of rib but never both. Well classy Photograph: Rex Features/Getty Images