Praising Catherine Deneuve

So, as I mentioned in my previous entry, I know longer felt that "Danielle Blanchett" was no longer an appropriate pen name for me, because while I consider her a stunning beauty, an excellent ambassador for high fashion, and a terrific actress, I would no longer be following her sartorial example.

I needed somebody who embodies grace and quiet luxury; someone who is unapologetically feminine, but with a little bit of edge; sexy with a wink at quirkiness. First, I considered Grace Kelly; but Princess Grace dressed with an almost exaggerated refinement that belied her truly wild romantic life. Then I thought of Sex and the City's Samantha Jones; I admire her sensuality and love that she rocks both neon power-suits and clingy mini dresses, but sometimes she dresses too fearlessly.

Who achieves that magic combination of both elegance and sex appeal? Who walks the fine line between precious and risque? It'd have to be someone French, I realized. And then it came to me: Catherine Deneuve.

Ms. Deneuve's been on my radar since Kate Winslet did that Belle de Jour-inspired Vanity Fair photoshoot last December. It made me realize how timeless that 60s sex-kitten persona is; blonde bedroom hair, come-hither kohled eyes, and body-conscious clothing will never go out of style. Yet for all her allure, Deneuve never looks trampy. Her look appeals to both men and women because she always maintains a level of class and never shows too much skin (in fact, in a men's button-down shirt and beret, she proved that sometimes a bit of mystique can be very sexy).

My favorite thing about Catherine Deneuve's style is that you don't immediately notice the clothes she's wearing. You simply see a beautiful woman, and her style is like a spotlight fixed on her, illuminating her beauty. She wears the clothes; the clothes do not wear her.

Here's how to channel your inner Catherine Deneuve:

For your rocking bod:

Rachel Pally Cut Out Dress, $198

Velvet "Jessamine" Dress, $130

bebe Light Tailored Pencil Skirt, $89

For laid-back cool:

J. Crew men's Baird McNutt linen shirt, $79.50 $59.50 (or better yet, borrow one from your man's closet)

For sexy bedhair:

L'Oreal Elnett Extra StrongHold Hairspray, $14.99

For lovely lined eyes:

NARS Black Eye Set, $60

MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack, $15

For a gamine look:

Current/Elliot "The Laurel Canyon" Top, $198

For an intoxicating signature scent:

Chanel No. 5 Fragrance, starts at $95