Julia Restoin Roitfeld is a French model, designer, photographer, and creative director. She started a blog called Romy and the Bunnies after having her daughter Romy to document her experiences as a new mother. Now based in New York, she has created a fashion range in collaboration with Pat the Bunny to celebrate the book's 75th anniversary. The collection includes bunny slippers designed by Charlotte Olympia and children's clothing from her favorite brand Bonpoint. Roitfeld aims to promote a feminine style for mothers that is sexy but not vulgar.

1. 42 the last word
Hare and make-up
The multi-talented Julia Restoin Roitfeld
talks about bunnies, mummy-blogging and her new
range of children’s clothes
The mums I know look fabulous and still go out but also have
play dates and take their kids to school
J
ulia Restoin Roitfeld, 34, is
a French model, designer,
photographer and creative director.
The daughter of Carine Roitfeld,
the former editor of French Vogue,
she started a blog dedicated to
motherhood when she had her
own daughter, Romy, two years ago.
Now based in New York, she has
curated a fashion range to celebrate
the 75th anniversary of the
children’s book Pat the Bunny.
Interview by Natasha Silva-Jelly.
Photographs by Peter Ash Lee
Modelling When I came to New York in
2004 it was a brand new world. I was
still at school when Tom Ford asked me
to do the Black Orchid campaign.
Modelling wasn’t in my plan at all but
it’s fun, and I get pampered and wear
amazing clothes, so what’s not to like?
Blog The name Romy and the Bunnies
came from all the bunnies my daughter
received when she was born [pictured].
When I got pregnant I couldn’t care less
about work. Then when Romy was
about four months I thought, OK, time
to get back into shape and into the
working world. I was reading a lot of
blogs and they all felt a bit like desperate
housewives. The mums I know look
fabulous and still go out but also have
play dates and take their kids to school.
Your beauty tips change when you are a
mum, as you have less time for make-up
and more need for anti-ageing creams.
Romy My daughter has changed my life
and that is how I get my inspiration now.
I drive her crazy taking pictures but
children grow so fast. I love the photo of
us in the bath, shot by my friend Ethan
Green [pictured]. And the one of me
holding her up as a baby, by Pamela
Hanson, who also photographed me
when I was little [pictured].
Picture gallery I love photography and
collect vintage Playboys. I am a fan of
Helmut Newton, and more inspired by
other eras like the 1960s and the 1980s –
there is not one actress that inspires me
with her look today. I love the femininity,
sexiness and playfulness of the 1960s and
photographers like Slim Aarons and Sam
Haskins [pictured]. I love Romy Schneider,
hence the name of my daughter.
Mother My mum was always the coolest
dressed when she picked us up from
school. Back then her style was a bit
more hippie. She wore bell bottoms and
ripped jeans and had a convertible red
Beetle and then a convertible red Alfa
Romeo so always stood out. Some kids
and teachers thought it was too much,
but I knew she had a fun job and met all
the cool people and top models like
Claudia Schiffer and Karen Mulder. My
mum definitely influenced me and
introduced me to this creative world.
Fashion I discover the key pieces on
fashion shoots, and love to shop on
Net-a-Porter. My style is feminine and
classic; some may find it boring, as it’s
a lot of black. In summer I wear a lot of
prints. For winter it’s more Belle de Jour,
a black mini-dress, tights and kitten
heels or thigh-high boots and a big coat.
I don’t wear a lot of jewellery and my
make-up is the same day and night.
Rabbits My collaboration with Pat the
Bunny is the first for Romy and the
Bunnies. I asked three brands to design
products. Charlotte Olympia had created
some cat slippers, and I thought how
cute if she could do bunny ones.
Bonpoint, my favourite children’s brand,
has done twin sets, and Aden & Anais
made Pat the Bunny print swaddles.
Femininity Sexy but not vulgar is my
style for work and the way I dress. A lot
of women think you have to forget about
glamour when you become a mum but
it’s a matter of self-respect. I work out
three times a week at Ballet Beautiful
and still make sure when I leave the
house that I like what I see in the mirror.
Pat the Bunny is available at
Harrods (harrods.com)