Politicians, first ladies and business leaders are rubbing shoulders with actors and actresses on this year's Vanity Fair International Best-Dressed List.
US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle both got a nod, as did French first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, Princess Letizia of Asturias - the wife of the heir
to the Spanish throne - and Sheika Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned, the wife of Qatar's Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
Actors Brad Pitt and Daniel Craig were two of the 10 best-dressed men and actresses Penelope Cruz and Anne Hathaway made the best-dressed women list, alongside singer Alicia Keys.
In naming Michelle Obama, Vanity Fair made particular mention of her inauguration wardrobe and the silk veil she wore when meeting Pope Benedict XVI.
Her inclusion on the list is indicative of how influential her style has become since her husband began his campaign to become president last year.
During the couple's trip to Europe in April of this year, the media reports focused more on what Michelle Obama and Bruni-Sarkozy were wearing than the issues their husbands were discussing.
New York Mayor Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his girlfriend Diana Taylor were among those named in the best-dressed couples list and sisters Aerin and Jane Lauder were among the best-dressed siblings.
The magazine also paid homage to those whose fashion sense has stood the test of time, naming three women and two men in its best-dressed 'Hall of Fame'.
Among them are French heiress and businesswoman Liliane Bettencourt and actresses Catherine Deneuve and Renee Zellweger.
* To see the full list of Vanity Fair's best-dressed people for 2009, click here.
- NZ HERALD STAFF
