Bonjour, Monsieur: Yon these last 50 years, GQ has served American men dutifully. Now, after successful launches in England, Italy and Russia (‚Äì‚Ć‚Äì√¶‚Äî√Ö‚Äî√Ö‚Äì‚àè‚Äî√®, ‚Ä쬕‚Ä쬙‚Äî√® ‚Äî√Ñ‚Ä쬵‚Äì‚àû‚Ä쬙‚Äî√•‚Ä쌩‚Äì√¶‚Äì‚â•‚Äì√¶?) the title formerly known as Gentleman’s Quarterly will be issuing a French edition. While we wonder if the famously particular French will allow a magazine of Western pedigree to influence their dress or take up space in on their newsstands, we know that as long as these labor strikes keep coming in bunches, the Parisians will have plenty of time to read it. Bonne chance, nos amis.

[Fashion Fox]

Our boy Nic sure is one fast mover. But then we guess when you’re president of France there’s no time to fuck around. Just two short weeks after we first told you that the Nicster was shacking up with supermodel Carla Bruni, one of the world’s most beautiful women and a talented singer to boot, weekly paper Le Journal De Dimanche is reporting that the couple plans to marry early next month.

More on the Nicster and his soon-to-be better half »

The latest news from the front regarding the Brad and Angelina of the international set has it that they may have already tied the knot. French daily L’Est Republicain is quoting a reliable source close to someone who claims to have attended our boy Nic’s secret nuptials last week at the Elysée palace. Apparently he sealed the deal with supermodel Carla Bruni after presenting her with a $30,000 white gold Dior ring.

Sarkozy’s office has issued a terse “no comment”»

Carla Bruni, our favorite presidential paramour, is making headlines for appearing in the Spanish men’s magazine DT clothed only in a wedding ring. (The full pic is here.) Does this confirm rumors that she’s tied the knot with the well-attired fiscal conservative? Probably not, since the pictures in question could have been taken as early as August, and are certainly from before the couple went public in December. All we can say for sure is that for a 40-year-old woman, she certainly keeps in shape.

The couple’s whirlwind romance (with accompanying media waltz) is now entering its sixth week »

American Apparel

She Was a Young American: Come for the impassioned defense of American Apparel mastermind Dov Charney. Stay for the sexpolitative photography. [Radar]

Fancy a Game of Footy?: Solid unisex, yes unisex, kicks from Jonathan Saunders and Goa. [JC Report]

Francophila: French women - now more sexual than ever. C’est Magnifique! [Time]

Changing Seasons: In Spring, a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of seersucker. [A Suitable Wardrobe]

Our Girl Friday: It’s been a long workweek. Don’t you think you deserve two minutes of Rachel Bilson being impossibly cute? [Nylon]

Sex Change: The TMagazine site has switched over from women’s fashions and a shot of Natalie Portman to a George Clooney pic and menswear stores, which is pretty much an even trade. [The Moment]

Unintelligent Design: A sartorial history of the cinematic caveman. [The Globe and Mail]

Caught Red Handed: Pikey Colin Farrell tried to steal someone else’s model girlfriend because, hey, why not? [NYPost]

Courtly Love: Our favorite low-tops ever go back to their roots. [Hypebeast]

LeBron Shoots: King James takes his career—and Tom Brady’s girl—in his hands by posing next to Gisele “Game Killer” Bundchen on the cover of Vogue. [NYMag]

Land War: Join the fight as Diesel and Tommy Hilfiger battle for control of Manhattan in a Fifth Avenue cage match to the death. [Antara and DNRNews]

Girls Dressing Boys: Liz Claiborne and Donna Karen International are teaming up on a new DKNY line. Neither Donna or Liz will be involved as they are retired and dead - respectively of course. [Reuters]

Fashion Capital: The fashion industry is already chasing after New York’s awesomely non-disgraced new Governor. [DNRNews]

Spank Rock: An Irish “Sperm for Tickets” scheme gets way out of hand. Sorry about that. [NME via Radar]

Paris, je t’aime: Next time you’re strolling by the Seine, pop into the stunning April 77 store. [Refinery 29]

Our Girl Friday: We don’t know if Eva Mendes posed for these shots before going into rehab and, frankly, we don’t care. [Maxim]

The Queen and The Princess: Carla Bruni visits England, making every first lady in history look downright homely in the process. [Telegraph UK]

San Francisco Treat: A brief and stylish tour of Fog City. [Refinery29]

Brotherly Love: We’re not sure if we believe in “bromance,” but we are sure we love ya, dude. [Men.Style]

“What’s In Your Manbag?”: Excuse me, it’s a European men’s carryall, okay? [Guardian UK]

Buying in Bulk: Shoppers snatch up Tim Hamilton shirts 20 at a time. Look for them soon on superfuture and eBay. [Racked]

Love All: One of the few eligible bachelors with a 155 mph serve is engaged to S.I. swimsuit model, Brooklyn Decker, which is a solid excuse for us to run pictures of her. Thanks, Andy. [ESPN]

Tailgate Party: In other sporting news, this is how 24-year-old, Heisman-winning, multimillionaire starting NFL quarterback Matt Leinart rolls. How ‘bout you, Brah? [Sunday Morning QB]

Local Uni-Watch: New York readers may have a chance to check out the Blue Jay’s new powder-blue throwbacks today and tomorrow. Still, no one’s got more baller style than this guy. [ESPN]

Swapping Spit: In the grand Gallic tradition of poor public hygiene, several Frenchmen invaded Manhattan and attempted to set a world record for kissing. Gross, right? [Fleshbot]

In The Hood: Blue-eyed, honey-blond men’s fashion blogger, Amanda Brooks, finds style and substance in the lowly hoodie. [Men’s Vogue]

фантастично!: Moscow Fashion Week just doesn’t translate to Western style - but God bless them Ruskies for trying. [YouTube]

Chinese Take Out: With its increased high-end offerings, improved manufacturing techniques (not to mention its low valuation of human sweat) China is poised to take on Italy in the luxe suit game. [WSJ]

Freak Folk: Always on the hunt for a deep, sensitive mate, Natalie Portman is reportedly nuzzling up to Cripple Crow crooner Devandra Banhart. Yeah, we don’t know how we feel about this one either. We mean, he is wearing a woman’s jacket. [Egotastic]

Napoleon Complex: Lil’, wee plutocrat Nic Sarkozy is kicking up a press dust storm in his fierce heels. [Shoeblogs]

What Would Moz Do?: Dress like Morrissey and you’re set for life. [Style Salvage]

Spit and Polish: The geopolitics of the shoeshine. [NYT via On The Fly]

Throwing Sparks: Sharp dockside looks from Philip Sparks. [Philipsparks via Notcouture]

Blinded by the White: N.B. to African-American society partygoers - some photogs may require you use nametags. [Radar]

Environmental Hang Up: Going green starts at your dry cleaner. [Fox23]

Out of Africa: A brief history of the safari jacket. [Mercury News]

New Journalism: The Wall Street Journal is set to launch a new luxury magazine to compete with the Times’ glossy insert, T. Yes, yes - you’re right - they’re calling it WSJ. [Editor and Publisher]

Luxury Hacks: Next time you’re in Moscow, flag down a Maybach. [Autopark]

Home, Jeeves: In other auto news, The Chauffeur magazine has named its “Car of the Year.” The Chauffeur magazine? We should really get our guy a subscription for his birthday. [Autoblog]

Hail to the Thief: New York has its own brand of criminal sartorialists. [NYMag]

French Lessons: Hermès menswear designer, Varonique Nichanian, gives tips on Gallic style. [Huffington Post]

Cuff Links: The moment waxes philosophic about high-water jeans. [The Moment]

Thin Premise: Honey-blond, blue-eyed men’s fashion blogger Amanda Brooks arrives late to last year’s obsession with skinny ties. We, meanwhile, have returned to full-sized neckwear in fear of inspiring a return of the bolo. [Men’s Vogue]

Jennifer Lopez to Produce Scents for Men: Be afraid. Be very afraid. [1224 Style]

The Man Show: Walter Van Beirendonck is to be the creative direction and guest of honor at the next Pitti Uomo. [Men.Style]

Golden Goddess: Charlize Theron makes our Friday. [Celebrity Smack]

Avery Gets Nasty: Teen Vogue staffers swoon and sigh as our favorite metrosexual jackass arrives at 4 Times Square. [Gawker]

End Zone: In other sporting news, Tony Romo ensures a NFC championship berth by dumping Jessica Simpson. [Celebitchy]

Shopping Spree: The Moment’s favorite five new stores. [The Moment]

The New Boss: Dior CEO Claus-Dietrich Lahrs takes the helm at Hugo Boss to refresh (translation, “save”) the brand. [AFP]

Fit is the Thing: Permanent Style dresses down the label whores of the myriad style forums. [Permanent Style]

Félicitations, Giorgio: President Sarkozy to make Armani a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. [WWD, 4th item]

Apparently not only is there such a thing as French Playboy but it seriously puts the American version—actually, make that America—to shame. While our original iteration of the classic men’s mag is irredeemably cheesy, the French version puts a high-fashion spin on things which elevates it above the onanistic urges of, well, the kind of guys who buy Playboy.

A peak inside the June issue»

Happy Accident: City Rag went looking for a shot of Kate Hudson’s tattoo and found lots of bare skin instead. Don’t you hate it when that happens? [City Rag]

Rising Stocks: ACL digs into the Wall Street Journal’s report on highwater trousers—remember, less fabric equals greater dividends to boardmembers. [A Continuous Lean]

Karl’s World: One day we will all live under the yolk of his iron, black-clad fist…and it will be fabulous. [The Pipeline]

Bank On It: Store your dwindling funds in these beauties. [Hyr Collective]

On Your Knees: David Coleman instructs us on how to wear the latest cut-off shorts styles, make your own, and possibly ruin a perfectly good pair of pants. [NYTimes]

D-I-V-O-R-C-E: Poor A-Rod. Poor, poor A-Rod. [Vanityfair.com]

First Baby: Queen of our world, Carla Bruni, wants a baby, but Nic Sarkozy is mum on the subject. The line for volunteers starts behind us. [NYMag]

Ah, perfume ads. Just when you think they’ve hit their peak…it turns out they’re just getting started.

It looks like the lovely Ms. Mendes’ banned Calvin Klein ad kicked off a whole new genre of fragrance ad: the black and white softcore bedroom shot. This version comes from French marque Guerlin, who chose a nude, reclining Natalia Vodianova to showcase the mysterious effects of their new Shalimar scent.

Of course, the ad is French not American, so they skipped the controversy and went straight for the nude banquette shots. Ah, la vie en rose…

See the video here»

Veja has been around a while, but the fair trade sneaker company (and favorite of Josh Spear) has finally graduated from Adidas knockoffs and produced something worth buying for non-charitable reasons.

Behold the Grid. The color is “moonrock” and the look is decidedly spaceman-inspired. It’s simple, stripped-down, and just offbeat enough to warrant a second look from whoever you happen to be meeting. And, naturally, it blends perfectly with the rest of your monochromatic ensemble.

And just because it’s French doesn’t mean you’ll have to pay shipping charges. Click through for a list of stateside locations»

As we were saying earlier, the bag you carry should depend a lot on where you’re going. If you’re going to a hipster accounting convention—possibly held in a terrifyingly angular office building—you may want to grab one of these.

Based on a recreation of 1930s steamer trunks, these suitcases from French bespoke luggage firm Pinel & Pinel end up looking more like a macho version of the hardshell briefcase you’ll see on the hands of businessmen from New York to Mumbai. Only the extra corner accents and the lightweight carbon fiber mean this version’s set up to take the kind of punishment accountants only see in movies.

The way business is going these days, that might come in handy.

Sleepwear tends to get overlooked by the non-Schnabel parts of the world, but having a set of matching pajamas on-hand is priceless. Chinese cotton has been the go-to for a while, but it looks like France is getting in on the action.

This cotton set comes from A.P.C.’s new Madras winter collection. You can get the same print on a button-up, but we prefer it this way. After, a shirt is just a shirt, but a good pair of pajamas is practically a suit.

Calendar Girls: Terry Richardson’s Vuitton-sponsored French Vogue calendar is as delightfully pervy as we knew it would be. [Fashionologie]

A Bad, Bad Thing: Esquire’s runs down the worst gifts of the year, inexplicably skipping the new T-Pain album. [Esquire]

Future’s So Bright: Oliver Peoples’ new sunglasses will come in handy when Daylight Savings Time ends and we start seeing the sun again. [acquire]

Every Part of the Buffalo: The Jezebel girls fry up some balls. Normally we’d joke about it, but we’re still recovering from the video. [Jezebel]

The gold standard of rugs is still the oversized Persian covering, but it’s been the gold standard for well over a century now. Maybe it’s time for something a bit more modern.

This rug from the French company Chevalier Edition is a good example (courtesy of Mr. Spear). It won’t give you the stateliness of a Persian rug, but it has the advantage of looking like it came from the twenty-first century, not the nineteenth.

Media isn’t the most profitable business these days, but there’s a reason billionaires are always emptying their pockets into magazine and television ventures. There are some things only staggeringly large amounts of money can buy.

Take, for instance, the lovely Ms. Lydia Hearst. Being an heiress is enough to get you onto the gossip pages, but getting into fashion spreads takes the kind of clout only a few families in the world have. But having the same last name as a publishing group usually helps…

Learn about Lydia’s new gig»