Leading lady

France’s Economy, Industry and Work Minister Christine Lagarde is touted as one of the world’s most powerful top 10 women.

CHRISTINE Lagarde’s litany of achievements is a mile long. Currently, France’s Economy, Industry and Work Minister, she was previously the Agriculture and Fishing Minister, and Trade Minister. Her present post makes her the first and only woman to be minister of economic affairs in a major G-8 economy.

Last year, Forbes placed her as the 14th most powerful woman in the world and since the global crisis, she is considered to be even more influential as France begins to emerge from recession under her ministrations.
Graceful chic: Christine Lagarde in an outfit by Malaysian designer Ng Swee Kuang.

Lagarde is tall and slim with an imposing presence enhanced by her trademark shock of white hair. Though stylishly cut ala Posh, she never bothers to colour her coiffure. As she remarked succinctly: “I am very independent. I don’t care whether people think if I am doing the right thing.” Her obviously healthy frame and long, easy strides were a result of being a champion synchronised swimmer.

She took time to the smell the roses, metaphorically speaking, as she bended over to examine the purple orchid floral display on the table at the French embassy in Kuala Lumpur. Magenta must be her favourite colour as she was wearing an amethyst suite of pendant and earrings, though her fingers glittered with two diamond and sapphire rings. A diamond watch and thick diamond bracelet blinked beneath her sleeves.

When asked if they were Cartier, being French and all, she mischievously put a finger to her lips and went, “Ssshh,” without naming names.

Her famous wit and sharp tongue came into play when she was asked how she felt as one of the planet’s most powerful women. She replied: “What do you think?”

I mumbled: “I don’t know, since I’m not powerful nor a woman.”

She gave a toothy grin and added: “I feel very good in Kuala Lumpur right now. But, thank you for your concern.” Fashion is bound to be a safer topic.

During the Malaysian Prime Minister’s visit to France last month, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had met up with Malaysian designer Ng Swee Kuang. Based in Paris with his own boutique called Ornel Soie in the Sentier district of Paris, Ng incorporates batik in many of his couture designs. Also sold to high end boutiques in France, Europe and Japan under the Ornel Soie label, his prestigious clients include wives of presidents, princesses, ambassadors’ wives and ministers. Trained at the Osaka Fashion Institute in Japan, he moved to Paris upon graduation.

The Prime Minister was impressed by Ng’s collection when it was shown to him at Rumah Malaysia in Paris as he felt his contemporary usage of batik would find broad appeal. During his courtesy call on Lagarde, Najib informed her of a talented Malaysian designer with a thriving business in Paris.

The French minister expressed an interest to meet him and was suitably bowled over. She eventually purchased two jackets and a suit for her visit to Malaysia.

Considering the fact Lagarde was wearing an elegant, lapel-less and definitely not batik jacket at the French embassy in KL, presumably this was not the Malaysian designer’s outfit. Under some prodding, she admitted it was from Emmanuel Kahn. Why not one of Ng’s designs to please the Malaysians?