Sit up straight and chew with your mouths closed, because this week's edition of New York magazine's Look Book features Robin Chandler Duke, a grand old dame who doesn't deal with barnfolk such as yourself. Puzzlingly enough, Duke is a political activist and the former chairman of NARAL, yet she seems rather kind to Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito — we chalk this up to her being 82 and having forgotten her morning round of meds.

After the jump, Intern Alexis rounds up Noelle Hancock, Aja Gabel, and Alexa Steinberg for some insights on the pleasures of crazy old ladies and monochromatic glory.

Noelle Hancock, freelance writer and Quetzelcoatl-worshipper

Amy asked RCD: "How would you describe your style?" And RCD answered: "Very classic. Obviously. Now, let's get on with it." Meooow! Did RCD hit Amy? Or... is RCD hitting ON Amy? Discuss sexual tension throughout this week's Look Book.

Yes, this was the part where the interview turned a corner and became seriously amazing. In my dreams, Robin was asking Amy to get it on, and later took Amy back to her River House penthouse and put her in the bad place. But I think it's more likely that she was just throwing some serious 'tude and letting Amy know that, if pressed, she will unleash the pythons and the fury. Whatever Amy's selling, Robin ain't havin' any of that.

We love Robin's bright lipstick. What's she trying to say? Kiss me, I'm old? Or, watch out, sassy lady on the run?

I think she's trying to say, "Bes' getup out my face unless you want Lanc
me lipstick in 'Tawny Rose' on your cheek!" At least, that's what I took from it. And, to make matters better, there's that hat. I'm loving how she's keeping it savage with that leopard print detail. It's all very "Rowr, rowr!" [make cat's paw motion] I don't know if this "Angier" guy she's married to is a worthy opponent for our sassy old girl. We need to find Robin a baller.

She seems strangely ambivalent about Alito, considering her background at NARAL. Would she have Alito over for dinner?

The fact that she declares Alito "too conservative" is kind of fantastic coming from the Ambassador to Beige; but, yeah, I think she would definitely invite him over for dinner. Afterwards they would rent the new Left

Behind movie and play drinking games with it. Sure, they may be on different sides politically, but everyone wins when Kirk Cameron is involved.

After looking at this week's Look Book, we want to go out, buy a lot of tan things and spend time with our grandmothers. What does the Look Book make YOU want to do?

It makes me want to be a better man.



Aja Gabel, freelance writer, government worker bee

Amy asked RCD: "How would you describe your style?" And RCD answered: "Very classic. Obviously. Now, let's get on with it." Meooow! Did RCD hit Amy? Or... is RCD hitting ON Amy? Discuss sexual tension throughout this week's Look Book.

I do believe that was the point at which the Lady Duke slid on her oversize Chanel sunglasses and pulled up one thick woolen pant leg to reveal for Amy her unblemished taupe knee-highs which were, yes, held up by a leopard-print garter. Which of course matched her hat, which is soooo classic.

We love Robin's bright lipstick. What's she trying to say? Kiss me, I'm old? Or, watch out, sassy lady on the run?

I think it's more: Kiss me, La Guardia did. I'm digging the lipstick too. You think you've got it all figured out with the shades of beige, but then she whips it right back in your face with that f-me fuschia. If she were 30 years younger and she'd be doomed to the cosmetic infamy of Katherine Harris and Harriet Miers.

She seems strangely ambivalent about Alito, considering her background at NARAL. Would she have Alito over for dinner?

She's ambivalent about Alito because she's more of a Roberts gal. And, really, who can blame her? A woman of her age and proud disposition doesn't need to be associated with Mr. Wide-Faced Anti-Climax of the year when she can have the boyishly robed Roberts by her uterus.

After looking at this week's Look Book, we want to go out, buy a lot of tan things and spend time with our grandmothers. What does the Look Book make YOU want to do?

Ravish a lone, pretty blonde girl's grandmother.



Alexa Steinberg, writer, photography student

Amy asked RCD: "How would you describe your style?" And RCD answered: "Very classic. Obviously. Now, let's get on with it." Meooow! Did RCD hit Amy? Or... is RCD hitting ON Amy? Discuss sexual tension throughout this week's Look Book.

Meooow! Upper East Side Ice Queen Alert. Don't worry, Amy. RCD is just bitter because she's married to someone named Angier Biddle Duke, which clearly means he is either 1) angry, 2) gay, 3) an invention of Oscar Wilde, 4) compensating, or 5) a character from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" who didn't quite make the final edit.

We love Robin's bright lipstick. What's she trying to say? Kiss me, I'm old? Or, watch out, sassy lady on the run?

This is how it's done, Harriet Miers.

She seems strangely ambivalent about Alito, considering her background at NARAL. Would she have Alito over for dinner?

Yes. The chap was so gracious about that regrettable incident in Paris. She would feed him veal and lamb and baby carrots.

After looking at this week's Look Book, we want to go out, buy a lot of tan things and spend time with our grandmothers. What does the Look Book make YOU want to do?

Slap the help. Actually, I'm not sure. Thank my lucky stars I'm a downtown girl? God only knows how monochromatic I might have turned out otherwise.