Elegance, Even in Wartime

In late December 1995, a raggedy, unwashed group of journalists waited for American troops to enter Tuzla, a rundown city in northwest Bosnia. The two-year civil war was over and peacekeeping forces had landed to keep it that way. But instead of tanks and armored cars, the first vehicle into town was a shining red Range Rover Discovery, waxed and wiped down, without a spot of mud despite several days of rain. It zipped over a newly built pontoon bridge, stopped on the other side, and out popped this incredible woman: slim and elegant, dressed all in black, with a fur hat, ski jacket, fitted pants, boots and a collection of intimidating cameras around her neck. It was Alexandra Boulat. Not only had she turned out better dressed than anyone else, she had beaten us to the story and come over the bridge just to prove it. Boulat-la. You made all the boys cry.