This week thousands of copies of Carla Bruni-Sarkozy's new album are to be given away in a £1 million initiative to promote French culture abroad in 19 countries.
And the glam brunette isn't only an ambassador for music in her adopted country, she's been flying the flag for Gallic fashion with a series of carefully selected style choices during a string of high-profile engagements over recent months.
On a recent visit to Spain with husband French President Nicholas Sarkozy, the 41-year-old drew praise when she stepped out in a figure-hugging cobalt blue design by Christian Dior for a lunch date the country's Crown Princess Letizia.
Commentators noted how in tune she appeared with the 36-year-old Spanish royal, who had opted for a grosgrain plum shift by one of her favourite local designers Felipe Varela.
A supreme judge of occasion, Carla always tailors her outfits to suit the individual styles of her hostesses. On that occasion she even eschewed her usual ballet pumps for a pair of kitten-heeled Christian Louboutins, thereby ensuring they were in keeping with Letizia's signature towering heels.
A look at Carla's other fashion choices on official tours shows further evidence of the subtle style changes which put her firmly in sync with her peers.
When the former model welcomed the US president's wife Michelle Obama to France at the start of April – her style of jacket – a knee skimming button up overcoat with a tie detail at the top – mirrored her US visitor's, even if the colour scheme did not. Carla opted for a classic fawn Dior number while Michelle chose a more edgy rose print design.
The Italian-born president's wife at one point even seemed to mirror Michelle's body language, as they both stood with their hands clasped in front of them.
When Carla met Sonsoles Espinosa – wife of the Spanish PM - it was a similar story. Her trousers and a cropped jacket perfectly complemented the elegant Spaniard's silhouette. And she was also in harmony with Margarita Zavla – wife of the Mexican prime miniter, during their meeting.
Both ladies wore skirt suits, though Carla still managed to inject her own personality by choosing an ensemble by her favourite design house in one of her favourite shades – a summery lavender hued number by Dior.
And the fashion resemblance was also unmistakable at an official function when Carla met French politician Rachida Dati – who hit headlines by returning to work days after giving birth. Carla's elegant floor length Dior number mirrored the raven-haired stateswoman's sweeping black gown.
Photo: Rex
Photo: Rex
