Vanessa Paradis for Chanel

If there's one Chanel item that's within every woman's budget, it's lipstick. And last night, the new Chanel Rouge Coco lip color collection launched with a celeb-studded event in New York City.


The lipstick is billed as "a modern interpretation of classic creme lip color," and "an homage to the rich life and legacy of Coco Chanel," who, by the way, introduced her first lipstick in 1924.
As the face of Rouge Coco, Vanessa Paradis was the guest of honor at The Mark Hotel, where she enjoyed a dinner with plenty of high-profile friends. Naturally, since Paradis managed to hook one of the world's most desirable men (that's Johnny Depp, mind you), I had to ask the Parisian actress and singer to explain that certain je ne sais quoi that French women are known for. Just what is it about them that differs from Americans?
"I dont know if I'm going to be able to explain it," Paradis said. "Yes, there is a difference, but I don't know what it is."
Perhaps, I suggested, Paradis could give us some tips for dressing sexier. After all, Valentine's Day is right around the corner...
"There's many ways [to dress sexy], but I feel something sexy is something that you could see the shape of your body. But that doesn't mean to wear, like, a tight dress. It could be also floaty, to see movement. You need to see the way your body moves," Paradis explained. "And red lipstick!" she added, flashing her own cherry-painted smile.