File Under "Role Models, Not Followed"

When it comes to a reasoned consideration of the new White House 'do, let's remember that Mrs. O. might have gone down paths far odder than mere bangs.  Seeing her here in the presence of Cette Coiffure Incroyable, I personally don't see how she had the strength to resist its hypnotic power.

Just been watching it all, of course.  We do do spectacle rather well, when called upon to do so, although a great deal less Kelly Clarkson would have raised the tone immensely.  And I can't wait for the James-Taylor-in-Aretha's-Hat gifs...

Allons, Enfants!

In a terrible rush for all sorts of good reasons, darlings, but I couldn't resist (only slightly belatedly) celebrating le jour de la Bastille with this image of overwhelming fabulosity. Yes indeed, look who jetted in to help the Sarkozis celebrate their special day - none other than Café icon and Cameroonian style sensation, the glorious Mme. Chantal Biya!

I am madly in love with the almost baroccoco composition of this snap, in which La Chantal assumes the position of a beneficent background goddess, bestowing her approval on the curious union of the tiny if powerful President of France and his bride. As always, though, the primary thought on Chantal's mind appears to be how very much more glamourous she is than anyone around - and who can say her nay?

"Stay Very Still..."

I've been remiss, having been meaning to feature this treasurable little moment of international drama ever since dear Plumcake brought it to our attention back around Hallowe'en. Yes, it's the coming together of two of the world's more glamourous power-spouses, and don't they look like they're having fun?

Mme. Sarkozy appears to be hoping that a coping strategy more usually used when confronted with bears will prove effective; she is fighting to stay as calm as possible and likely about to try sidling out of range in the hope that that her formidable neighbour won't notice. The divine Mme. Chantal of Cameroon, by contrast, is (as usual) not impressed. At all. What she's thinking about la Carla's mousy 'do, gray pinstripes, tacky folk-pop singing, and nude photoshoots clearly doesn't bear repeating.

But wouldn't you kill to hear her inner monologue?

A Rainbow Tour for Our Time

Between the UN General Assembly and the gathering of the G20 (oh, yes, I do keep up!), world leaders have been much in the news over the past week, and that, to me, raised one pressing question:

What of Cameroon's glamourous First Lady, Mme. Chantal Biya?

Well, she did indeed participate in some of the UN-related fun. There is, however, good news for Chantalites, and there's bad news.

The bad news, sadly, is that she has not that I've found been captured in all her glory in any of the assemblages of spouses that have taken place of late. But not all hope is lost, for the good news is that her comings and goings have at least been covered, albeit accompanied only with this highly inadequate shot, by her nation's doubtless unbiased, free, transparent, and neutral press.

Yes, thanks to the good work of the scribes at Cameroon Radio Television, we can know that no sooner had the divine Chantal and her essentially irrelevant husband, Paul, arrived at their "suit" at the Waldorf Astoria than "a large crowd of Cameroonians living in the United States of America that has converged to say welcome Mr. President made the atmosphere even more feastive." Due to security concerns, "the crowd staged their displays along the Park Avenue Way, a short distance from the entrance of the hotel."

That would indeed have been a sight to see on Gotham's fabled Park Avenue Way, just one block over from Madison Avenue Lane. Not least because, we learn, "Their songs were pregnant with goodwill messages, some urging the President to run for the next presidential elections due in 2011." What a coincidence, that these New York-based singers should steer so close to Mr. President's own agenda (and that of his exquisitely coiffed spouse)!

I hope she had a chance to get out and about on her own a little, see some of New York, maybe pick up a trinket or two. Imagine shopping at Tiffany - or Century 21, for that matter - and running into Chantal: could anything UN-related be more fabulous?

Afri-Glamour!

This week, thanks to the perspicacious Princess Sparkle Pony and other reporting, we were introduced to a Goddess of Style who has hitherto flown under our Fashion Radar: Her Excellency the First Lady of Cameroon, the ravishing creature known as Chantal Biya.

She's seen here with a gathering of her fellow African first ladies, and I'm sure you'll have no trouble in picking out our new idol. Whereas the undoubtedly mortified lady to her left is trying out her best Michelle O. look (and whereas it looks like at least one of these first ladies may be a first gentleman), La Chantal stands out - bigger, brighter, and and way more high-strung looking.

She's living proof that the influence of Van Smith, John Waters's groundbreaking stylist, has spread worldwide. Here she throws some Chantal-style disdain at the UK's dowdy FL-equivalent, a woman who clearly doesn't measure up to Chantal's high standards. Or hair.

Here's what she came up with for luncheon with the Empress of Japan. I can't tell you how fabulous it seems to me that her coiffure is actually larger than the Empress's entire torso.

And here she is, back in Cameroon, leaving - no, not a nightclub, and no, not the afterparty for the Cameroon Film Awards - no, believe it or not, she is striding out of vespers presided over by the Pope. For once, someone has managed to outdress that Prada-loving, lace-encrusted old Nazi. I'm so glad - and not one whit surprised - it was Chantal.

While Chantal's husband is a well-documented 76 years old, Madame's hold over her country's media is such that is has reported, apparently straightfaced, that the lady is 38. What do you think?