Carla Bruni

Until last Thursday, when a nude photograph of Carla Bruni, the 40-year-old model-turned-pop-star-turned-first lady of France, sold at Christie’s for $91,000, more than 20 times its expected price, Ms. Bruni hadn’t been the subject of much conversation among New Yorkers. But over the last week, her name popped out of pursed lips at cocktail lounges and long lunches across the city, as men and women started to catch on that a new icon of fashion, sex and sensibility—a 21st-century amalgam of Jackie O, Lady Di and J-Lo—was emerging across the Atlantic.  read more »

Carla Bruni's nude photo taken by Michel Comte sold for $91,000 at Christie's yesterday. [NY Daily News]

The ex-wives of Jason Kidd, Patrick Ewing, and Eddie Murphy were overheard discussing a "First Wives Club" type reality show over drinks at the Gansevoort Hotel. [P6]  read more »

Elton John's fund-raising concert for Hillary might be a federal violation of campaign rules. [Washington Times via Radar]  read more »

Having broken up with Jason Preston, Marc Jacobs is on the prowl and a drama queen. [P6]

France's first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy's nude portrait taken by Michel Comte in 1993 will be auctioned at Christie's on April 10th. [NY Daily News]

Is there discord in the Mortimer home? Tinsley and Topper arrive separately to the Young Fellows of the Frick Collection midnight breakfast after party last night and avoided each other while there. [P6]  read more »

Steve Aoki, DJ to the LA hipster-elite, releases his first mix album today, the obliquely named Pillowface and His Airplane Chronicles, a Cobrasnake soundtrack populated by the Pitchfork-crowned Justice, Klaxons, Bloc Party, MSTRKRFT, Peaches, and the like. Released in part by his own label, Dim Mak, the album will answer that long-held question, what does ironic '80's glam thrift chic sound like? Judge for yourself. Here's a taste, part of a live performance where he mixes Justice and MSTRKRFT—dare I say it sounds fun?

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The future Mrs. Sarkozy may no longer have anything “future” about her. Carla Bruni, the 40-year-old former supermodel who has been dating recently-divorced French President Nicolas Sarkozy, reportedly married the politico last week. A French newspaper, L’Est Republicain, apparently “had good reason” to publish reports today that the doting duo have already tied the knot during a small ceremony at the Élysée Palace in Paris.

An unnamed “source close to a witness who attended the ceremony” reportedly contacted the media outlet to say that the wedding, a “small, very private” affair, was held in the presidential residence last Thursday. Mr. Sarkozy’s spokesman, David Martinon, declined to offer a comment on the, er, hearsay.

Recently, Mr. Sarkozy, 52, commented publicly on rumors of his forthcoming nuptials, saying, “There is a strong chance that you will learn about it once it's already been done.”

French President Nicolas Sarkozy wiggled out of answering questions about his reported new flame, a singer and former model named Carla Bruni. While visiting a museum in the south of France today, Mr. Sarkozy, 52, who divorced his second wife last October, spoke to journalists about the area’s natural environs. In a move both bold and clever, a reporter jumped on the topical opportunity to squeeze fresh news from the imposing politico. “Speaking of the environment, I understand yours has changed,” they said to the figurehead. Upon hearing this, Mr. Sarkozy reportedly became tangled in the branches of a nearby tree, using the snag to end the Q&A session early.

His supposed romance with the 38-year-old heiress to a tire fortune has gripped the nation for the last two days, sparked when they were photographed together at Euro Disney over the weekend. At a press conference sometime later today, another reporter asked him if the media maelstrom surrounding the relationship irked him. “You want me to comment on the media?” Mr. Sarkozy asked in return. When he was pressed further, the president shot back: “No, I'm not bothered.” He was then rushed out of the room by his team of bodyguards.  read more »