The woman who dares to step out of 10 Downing Street wearing a biker jacket and sneakers, just beat Carla Bruni Sarkozy and Michelle Obama in a UK style poll. Shweta Shiware dissects the un-British fashion sense of Mrs David Cameron
The woman who dares to step out of 10 Downing Street wearing a biker jacket and sneakers, just beat Carla Bruni Sarkozy and Michelle Obama in au00a0UK style poll. Shweta Shiware dissects the un-British fashion sense of Mrs David Cameron
As if there wasn't enough tension between Paris, New York and London already. As if the three cities hadn't clawed each other's mascara-lined eyes out already, to be on the numero uno position for fashion capital of the world. Now, the First Ladies of UK, France and America are engaged in style combat. And just-elected British Prime Minister David Cameron's wife Samantha has won bout 1, snug in a biker jacket and Converse sneakers.
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The 39 year-old who serves as creative director of British luxury accessories brand Smythson has dared to break away from boring aristocratic attire displayed by former First Ladies Cherie Blair and Sarah Brown, leaving fashion followers and style gurus in the UK focus their gaze on the mother of three.
A placebo for tired eyes, SamCam's personal style celebrates the renowned Brit quirk seen in the form of charm pendants, chunky neckpieces and broad belts worn over easy shift dresses in vibrant colours. She adds a measured edge by slipping into skinny jeans, her black Goth nail polish and Dolphin tattoo screaming individuality.
That she is sporting a 5-month bump is hardly a deterrent. She was recently photographed stepping out of 10 Downing Street wearing a black ankle length maternity dress accessorised by a biker jacket and Converse sneakers, instead of padded blazers and heels that are staples in every First Lady's wardrobe.
A crusader of ethical fashion, she's known to use only Louise Galvin's carbon-neutral hair products. She steers clear of extra-hold sprayed hairstyles, letting her shoulder length hair fall in a tumble on her long face. Blush and nude lipstick is all she goes for as far as make-up goes.
We can hardly wait to see what she'll be up to once she's ready to show off her post-pregnancy wardrobe.
Indian designers vote for Bruni
From being a model and singer to the First Lady, she has adapted to each new role well, adding a touch of her personal style.
Namrata Joshipura
Minimal, chic, no fuss she carries fashion effortlessly. Her look is always sharp and she chooses appropriate hand bags and shoes.
Aki Narula
She has a great figure and can carry off any garment, while Obama and Cameron might be restricted to particular silhouettes.u00a0
Wendell Rodricks
Her snarky demeanour coupled with her pre-First Lady days give her more credentials in the fashion industry.
Kallol Datta
The poll revealed
The Top 10 Best Dressed Women in Politics areu00a0
Samantha Cameron 44%u00a0
Michelle Obama 43%u00a0
Carla Bruni 37%u00a0
Miriam Gonz lez Dur ntez 34%u00a0
Sarah Brown 27%u00a0
Yulia Tymoshenko 22%u00a0
Sarah Palin 18%u00a0
Cherie Blair 16%u00a0
Hillary Clinton 13%u00a0
Harriet Harman 9%
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| Carla Bruni Sarkozy, Michelle Obama, Samantha Cameron |
What First Ladies can do for a fashion industry
Birkin is a favourite, but she flaunts Chanel and Dior with equal reverence during her high profile appearances with husband Nicolas Sarkozy. Carla Bruni's high maintenance persona is courtesy her association with haute couture. Her roaring career as a model began at 19, when she bagged plump assignments with Givenchy, Prada, D&G, Karl Lagerfeld, Yves Saint Laurent, Versace, Chanel and Dior. In the 90s, she was among the highest paid models, but she gave up the $7.5 million a year fee for a career in singing. In her website carlabrunisarkozy.org, Jean-Paul Gaultier finds himself on board of the foundation.
Since Lou Hoover, every First Lady has made an appearance in Vogue, but Hilary Clinton and Ms O are the fortunate two to have graced the cover. With a little help from her toned arms, oversized pearl necklaces and brooches, she has impressed fashion critics, earning comparisons with fashion icon Jackie Onassis. By endorsing creations by Prabal Gurung, Jason Wu, Narcisco Rodrigues, Thakoon, St Eramus and Isabel Toledo on her whirlwind tours, she has single-handedly turned around the fortunes of these little-known designers. "In her own way, she is like a stimulus package for the fashion industry," says Wu.
A Daily Mail article published in March 2010 reveals pictures taken of SamCam 12 years ago, with her perched on the edge of the sofa, her legs thrown over in a provocative pose. That's UK's First Lady for you ufffd an edgy style icon with never-ending legs that make her stand 5'11" tall. SamCam is an ethical shopper who embraces vintage jewellery and prefers to zoom around London on a silver Piaggio scooter. Even though she's a fan of high fashion brands Burberry, Prada, Erdem, Phillip Lim and Vivienne Westwood, after her husband's win, she's also begun advocating voter-friendly labels Uniqlo, Zara and Topshop.u00a0u00a0
Michelle Obama appeals to the masses more than Carla Bruni and Samantha Cameron do since she is anchored in reality. She knows how to dress her voluptuous body, and her clothes are a mix of glam and sportiness.
Wendell Rodricks, Designer
Watch out for another contender
Chantal Biya, first lady of Cameroon,
Meet the 39 year-old First lady of Cameroon who last made headlines when she walked in wearing a giant cross-emblazoned, pink-and-white lace origami hat to greet the Pope. Her fiercely individual personal style is all about making a statement magnificent hairdos, towering platform heels worn with traditional African ensembles (all custom-made for the First Lady). In Cameroon, she dictates fashion by regularly introducing new trends, and even has a hairstyle, the Chantal Biya, named after her.
Can a picture tell a relationship story?
Varkha Chulani, clinical
psychologist and psychotherapist
Uses these photos to decipher the body language of these 3 couples and the dynamics of their relationships
Samantha & David Cameron
There's immense chemistry between the two, but they'd rather keep it under wraps. He seems to enjoy an element of intrigue in the relationship and she appears to be fine with it. While she might cherish her independence, she is not someone who won't compromise her career for family.
Michelle & Barack Obama
It's the relationship of equals. She is a rock solid woman married to a man who is equally able. They are partners in arms; she has been a primary support in his fight in the Presidential elections. As a couple, they look self-sufficient, yet in love. There's no lack of humour or love. It doesn't seem necessary for them to indulge in PDA. They share quiet comfort in each other's company.
Nicolas Sarkozy & Carla Bruni
There's a certain aloofness, suggesting distance. The gripping hold on her arm is his way of reminding her that he's the boss in the relationship; he leads the way. She has a certain self-assured confidence in her eyes indicating that she doesn't mind being led. She seems comfortable in her new role as First Lady, and the responsibilities it brings.
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