Deauville's annual bloodstock sales in August, when turnover soared thanks to what some journalists described as the "Sarkozy effect" - optimism sparked by the new man in the Elysée - must seem a long time ago now for France's president. Last month Nicolas Sarkozy had a transport strike and fresh rioting in the Paris suburbs to deal with and the month before that came the news of divorce from his wife, Cecilia, which prompted the president to walk out in the middle of an American television interview, citing unfair intrusion on his private life.

Yet for all these negatives, Sarkozy has had a positive impact. From inauguration day, when he wore a black Prada suit, to his preference for Tod's shoes and the best of London's men's wear, he's begun to smarten up France.