For the first time as a member of the British royal family, Kate Middleton makes her way onto the International Best-Dressed List—her inaugural appearance came in 2008, and a whirlwind of fashion successes since has earned her a nod this year. She’s captivated the world with her signature mix of high and low fashion. Michelle and Barack Obama also make their first appearance together on the Best-Dressed Couples list. Michelle has been among the best-dressed ladies for the past four years, while the president has only earned a spot once, back in 2009. (Other politicos: French First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy makes the grade for the fourth time, but her husband, President Nicolas Sarkozy, does not. And other royals include Princess Charlene of Monaco, the King of Bhutan, Princess Alexandra of Greece, Countess Matilde Borromeo, Prince Antonius von Fürstenberg, Her Highness Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser of Qatar, and Nicolas Mirzayantz of Greece.)
Meanwhile, from Hollywood’s royal ranks come actors Justin Timberlake, Colin Firth, and Armie Hammer—all first-time entrants—while actresses Carey Mulligan and Tilda Swinton are second-timers. (Swinton returns after a three-year hiatus.) Among the fashion originals, Lady Gaga (her second recognition) is joined by Janelle Moná—and NBC News anchor Brian Williams enters the illustrious ranks of the list’s Hall of Fame.
A sneak-peek at the 72nd annual International Best-Dressed List:
INTERNATIONAL BEST-DRESSED LIST: WOMEN
CARLA BRUNI-SARKOZY, singer-songwriter, actress, and First Lady of France
H.H. SHEIKHA MOZA BINT NASSER OF QATAR, wife of H.H. the Emir of Qatar and
UNESCO special envoy for basic and higher education
H.R.H. THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE, wife of the future King of England
ANDREA DELLAL, mother of four
CAREY MULLIGAN, actress
CHRISTINE LAGARDE, managing director, International Monetary Fund
TILDA SWINTON, filmmaker and actress
LIZZIE TISCH, entrepreneur
H.S.H. PRINCESS CHARLENE OF MONACO, former Olympic swimmer and wife of Albert
II, Prince of Monaco
JANE LAUDER WARSH, president of Origins and Ojon
INTERNATIONAL BEST-DRESSED LIST: MEN
MARIO D’URSO, chairman of Mittel Capital
ARPAD BUSSON, financier
ALEJANDRO SANTO DOMINGO, financier
COLIN FIRTH, actor
STAVROS NIARCHOS, shipping heir
NICHOLAS FOULKES, historian, writer, and editor
MARCUS SAMUELSSON, chef, restaurant owner, and cookbook author
ARMIE HAMMER, actor
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, actor, producer, singer-songwriter, and designer
JENSON BUTTON, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 driver