First Ladies' fashion

According to experts, the current first lady of the United States represents a new era in the country's fashion and gives hope to lesser known designers. Her fresh, versatile style plus the combination of haute couture designs by middle-class stores have earned her the applause of fashionistas.

In the sixties she became one of the most influential women in the fashion industry for her sophistication and impeccable style. Her taste for pearls and big eyewear continues to be indispensable among the famous.

The late actress who later became first lady of Argentina was criticized for her excessive spending in clothes and jewelry by exclusive designers, among them Christian Dior. In those days of scantiness many questioned her commitment to the working class.

Before becoming France's first lady, the former model and singer was photographed just as she came into the world. Now Nicolas Sarcozy's wife dresses up to the stature of her position. Bruni, of Italian descendant, confesses that she gets her inspiration from the immortal Jackie Kennedy-Onnassis.

The wife of former Mexican President Vicente Fox spent exorbitant sums in image consultants, makeup specialists, hair stylists and protocol experts. During her tenure at the presidential residence, Gucci, Escada and Chanel were her best allies to "exalt Mexico's name," according to her own words.

As far as fashion goes, the wife of former President George H. W. Bush went unnoticed. With her white hair and antiquated dresses, her image was that of an old-fashioned lady. Although some designers tried to help her, they did not get very far in actual results.

Her classic, elegant style reflected her passion for haute-couture clothes. Red was her favorite color and Oscar de la Rental was one of her preferred designers. During her years at the White House, Reagan was investigated by the Treasury Department for not reporting the millions of dollars worth of expensive dresses she received as gifts.

When she became a member of the Spanish elite, her image changed completely. Before, the woman who was also a singer stayed away from the public eye and her attire was nothing out of the ordinary. After she entered the Moncloa Palace with José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, head of the Spanish government, she began wearing expensive dresses and she now loves to style her hair with extensions.

The wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair stood out for her intelligence and not precisely for her good taste. Every time she attended an event she became the laughing stock of the British. She recently published a memoir that explains how she survived all those years of criticism.

During her years at the White House she wore conservative suits, some of them praised, other not so much. The now-Secretary of State has decided to recover her feminine fashion and renew her wardrobe with more modern models. In recent events we have even seen her showing cleavage.

The former first lady and now president of Argentina is compared to Evita Perón for her vanity, her passion for shopping and for brand designer clothes. She always looks elegant, and flirting is part of her tactics.

Mrs. Putin has always lived a quiet life away from the power of her husband, the former president of Russia Vladimir Putin, who is now the nation's prime minister. On the few occasions she appeared in public, she was seen subtle and discreet, wearing refined suits.