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The Valérie Trierweiler Effect Is Starting Already

Valérie and Michelle. (Not pictured: their Le Tanneur handbags.)
Valérie and Michelle. (Not pictured: their Le Tanneur handbags.) Photo: SAUL LOEB/AFP/GettyImages

Like any good White House guest, French “first lady” Valérie Trierweiler came bearing gifts upon meeting Michelle Obama last month, giving her hostess Le Tanneur’s Vicky handbag (€469, or about $600), while toting the brand’s Nina purse (€299, or about $380) herself. Now, according to Voici.fr, a source says Le Tanneur did €20,000 worth of business over the weekend that followed the G8 Summit, even having to call in “emergency order” bags. Valérie Trierweiler Effect what? Though, as Karl Lagerfeld points out in this morning’s WWD, “You know, the handbag she offered to Madame Obama is made by a company [Le Tanneur] that now belongs to people from Qatar. It’s not that French.” Next time, Chanel 2.55s for all.

Valérie Trierweiler Effect Is Starting Already