Carla Bruni: Lady behind the new, stylish Sarkozy

People-watchers see the First Lady as the driving force behind Sarkozy’s recent style makeover

PARIS: In three months, Carla Bruni has metamorphosed from catwalk femme fatale into France’s first lady, giving up her high-heels, rustling up a new wardrobe oozing understated chic — and shelving her steamy talk of polygamy.

The 40-year-old supermodel-turned-singer has proved a hit with the French public in her new role at French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s side. People-watchers see Bruni as the driving force behind Sarkozy’s recent style makeover, coaching him to shed the “Bling-Bling” tag earned for his flashy tastes and tone down his impetuous character to seem more statesmanlike. 
  
“Political analyst Philippe Braud, of Sciences Po institute in Paris says, “She brings him stability. She has scored points in the last few months.” “The trip to London was the turning point. She didn’t put a foot wrong.” Armed with the know-how of her catwalk days, Bruni went for a demure, retro dress style — complete with flat pumps to avoid showing up the shorter Sarkozy.

In recent months, observers suggest she has gently nudged Sarkozy towards better-tailored suits, elegant shirts — and away from his much-mocked luxury wristwatches and aviator sunglasses. “Sarkozy’s advisors are relying on Carla to make the turbulent president more ‘calm’ and ‘respectable’” wrote Gala. The French president himself seems in awe of his wife’s beauty, her culture and knowledge of five languages, and regularly sings her praises in public.