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American fashion designer Carolina Herrera followed in the footsteps of her sartorial colleague Giorgio Armani this week by vying for a piece of Russia’s recovering luxury good market — the world’s fourth largest. Herrera, who dressed Jackie Kennedy Onassis in her later years, came to open her first boutique at the plush TSUM shopping center in Moscow’s heart and host a show of her linen-woven Spring 2010 collection. The 70-year-old designer is betting — just like Armani, who descended on the Russian capital in October — that Russian fashion followers, once known for their exuberant spending, will help expand her business.

Other designers remain uncertain about the country’s recovery from a recession that wiped out a tenth of its economy in gross domestic product terms in the first half of the year. Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney boarded the windows of their boutiques less than a year and a half after opening, while others were forced to deal with drastically dropping sales. But Herrera is optimistic. “I think the crisis stopped many things, but fashion is the last one to go, because women are always buying,” the designer, dressed in a sleek black velvet top and black pants, told Reuters after her show. Russian consumers have been famous for most of the decade for their lavish spending and penchant for high-end brands, but the crisis has curbed their disposable income, taking a toll on the country’s luxury market.

Incipient sings of economic recovery began last summer, however, fueled by relatively high oil prices — Russia’s chief export — and the improving global outlook. More festive and glittering decorations than a year ago have lit up Moscow’s shops in recent weeks, fuelling hopes that this season will bring the Russian consumer back to buying. Herrera showed some 200 elegantly dressed fans a collection of chiefly amber, rose and caramel dresses inspired by forms seen in Japanese baskets. The designer seemed enchanted with what Moscow had to offer. “I wish I could stay a week” she said.

WARNING! Men are strictly prohibited from trying to understand this CODE.

Step 1. First, the “bend and snap” – a broken nose is the best way to get closer. If it’s not love at first sight and the catchiest snap, then go to

Step 2. Money. When he invites you to a restaurant tell him that you’ve got fascinating earrings and haven’t got a necklace to put on with an absolutely stunning dress you found in Vogue but haven’t, by the way, bought yet. He will buy them both while he’s in love. And afterwards, when he wakes out of the trance, he will count how much money he’s invested in you and will have a fierce desire to legalize his investment by marrying you. If it’s not enough for his liberality, go to

Step 3. Jealousy. Use the men’s primitive mentality, “If somebody else’s interested, then I’m interested, too. If nobody is interested, then this woman/girl is not worth even looking at.” So, show him that there are at least two more candidates thirsty for your hand/body/love/benevolent glance. Send a bouquet of flowers with a card for yourself and tell him that you are tired of this admirer. If he appears too depressed by your non-existent caballero, go to

Step 4. Food. What is the single’s “every day’s special”? It’s coffee at work and gherkins at home. That is why they are easily baited with good home-cooked food. Which does not necessarily mean that you will spend the rest of your life cooking for him. Let’s say till you get married, that’ll do. Most cases end up in marriages after a satisfying dinner, but if it’s not enough, especially if the man lives with his mother, press him next, and go to

Step 5. Hysterics. From time to time go into hysterics making pauses to become a really nice bunny. Such unpredictable behavior stimulates and interests men. If he still resists, and you do not break up, carry heavy metal – go to

Step 6. Lewinsky’s trick. But do it for a marriage not for publicity. If he doesn’t kill you, he will marry you. If not, and you are still alive, then go to

Step 7. Pregnancy. Pretend that you are pregnant (and you’d better obtain real pregnancy after a marriage just in case your man appears to be a nasty bastard). Oh, don’t worry about your little cheat. He won’t check anything (at least if he does, there’s always the way out to say, “Oops! False alarm!”). But still the former is more likely just because male’s brain is adjusted to stop working once the ears hear the words, “I’m pregnant”. And a sudden fear/euphoria literally enforces a man to make a proposal. So, if he believes you he will marry you.

And finally, if you get through to the seventh step and at last he asks you to marry him, think, whether you really want to marry this manipulated by a woman, wasteful and depressed mamma’s darling with a broken nose! So, do not take this algorithm seriously.

Taylor Monsem on the set of “Gossip Girl” filming on location in the Meatpacking District in new york city. Sixteen year old Momsen who perform Jenny Humphrey on the CW show is seen wearing her fishnet lace stockings, a warm sweater paired with a pearl necklace, and Ray ban aviators.

Photo by PacificCoastNews.com