Fashion: Women Run The World

model in cream jacket over black blouse and black and white skirt

Neil Kirk

The Diplomatic Woman

NEUTRAL TERRITORY: Against the flags of 192 countries at the U.N. in New York, one elegant "delegate" opts for a monochromatic palette emboldened by bright red and yellow bags. Jacket, $1735, top, $695, skirt, $1140, Burberry Prorsum; blue bag, $2150, green bag, $1250, yellow bag, $1875, red bag, $2325, Chanel; necklace, $195, R.J. Graziano.

model in gray and metallic dress and blue and black head scarf

Neil Kirk

The Diplomatic Woman

PEACE SIGN: From the rock star of popes, John Paul II: The "Dove of Peace" mosaic, which hangs in the General Assembly lobby, was presented to the U.N. during JPII's 1979 visit and is a reproduction of a 12th-century work in St. Peter's Basilica. Dress, $228, Calvin Klein; shoes, $545, Marc Jacobs; bag, $2495, Michael Kors; head scarf, $48, Echo; earrings, $160, Wendy Mink Jewelry; silver necklace, $315, Pono by Joan Goodman; white necklace, $320, Georgina Marsland; ring, $240, Francesca Romana.

Neil Kirk

The Diplomatic Woman

POWER SHIFT: All-female ambassadors stage a march of progress past portaits of former secretary-generals-including a partially obscured U Thant and Kurt Waldheim. Far Left: Jacket, $990, pants, $625, Y and Kei; pumps, $895, bag, $2495, Michael Kors; earrings, $1010, Tenthousandthings; ring, $3740, Kara Ross. Center left: Jacket, $1920, skirt, $875, Peter Som; shoes, price upon request, Dior by John Galliano; earrings, $4180, Kara Ross. Center right: Jacket, $4260, skirt, $720, Dior by John Galliano; shoes, $495, Giuseppe Zanotti Design; earrings, $465, NAG. Right: Dress, $395, Tory Burch; shoes, $645, Sergio Rossi.

three models in a conference room with three infants

Neil Kirk

The Diplomatic Woman

It Takes A Village (or A Midtown Conference Room) Childcare is a global feminist issue! Far left: Top, $156, skirt, $258, Develop-ment by Erica Davies; shoes, $550, Moschino; tote, $3700, Nancy Gonzalez; bracelet, $2500, Cartier; rings, $110 and $95, Ten-thousandthings. Center left: Blouse, $500, belted skirt, $900, Etro; shoes, $585, Oscar de la Renta; cuff, $5530, Kara Ross. Center: Jacket, $2860, blouse, $775, skirt, $1055, belt, $420, Yves Saint Laurent; shoes, $656, Barbara Bui. Center right: Coat, $1850, dress, $1150, belt, $325, Alessandro Dell' Acqua; shoes, $1100, clutch, $990, Derek Lam. Right: Dress, $1645, Behnaz Sarafpour; sandals, $575, Pollini; necklace, $285, Candace Ang; ring, $6900, Di Modolo.

model in a limo in a black and white patterned suit black pumps and black purse

Neil Kirk

The Diplomatic Woman

Suit, $4950, blouse, $1965, shoes, $795, Chanel; bag (on seat), $4990, Gucci; python bag, $2490, Devi Kroell; metallic bag, $1300, Etro; earrings, $11,600, Cartier; rings, $6000 and $15,000, Mimi So.

model in black coat over a black and white patterned loose dress

Neil Kirk

The Diplomatic Woman

DON'T SHOOT: This bronze replica of a knotted .45-caliber revolver, titled "Non-Violence," was sculpted by Swedish artist Karl Fredrik Reutersward and presented to the U.N. in 1988 by then Secretary- General Javier Perez de Cuellar. Coat, $2750, dress, $1890, Emilio Pucci; pumps, $550, Etro; straw bag, $440, Furla; python bag, $2490, Devi Kroell.