It\'s a (wo)man thing

By Alaina Vieru

Whether they know how to make us look good, champion the issues we hold dear, or just know what makes us, well... us, these are the 11 men who understand women best.

1. Gok Wan

Any man who can turn the most decidedly self-loathing of women into confident, gorgeous sex goddesses without the help of plastic surgery or nasty put-downs à la Trinny and Susannah is a hero in our eyes. Long may the fairy Gok-mother reign.

2. George Clooney

When it comes to George Clooney and women, there\'s definitely a love-love relationship. He may be a serial dater, but in his defence he\'s never kept his desire to remain an eternal bachelor a secret; something we wish more men would do. But on a more serious note, George has brought women of the world a great deal more than his smouldering good looks thanks to his work campaigning against genocide in Darfur and as a United Nations Messenger Of Peace - a role he takes so seriously that he missed this year\'s SAG awards, where he was nominated for his role in Michael Clayton.

3. Richard Curtis

King of the rom-com, screenwriter Richard Curtis has brought his brand of charm to women (and men) the world over with modern British film classics such as Four Weddings And A Funeral, Notting Hill, Love Actually, and both Bridget Jones films. Not only that, he made one of the funniest female-led sitcoms ever with The Vicar Of Dibley.

4. David Cameron

Wherever our political leanings may lie, we can’t help but admire David Cameron for being one of the only leading politicians to highlight the issue of rape and the appallingly low 5.7% rape conviction rate in England and Wales. He’s pledged to get more funding for crisis centres, change attitudes towards victims and review current rape sentencing. Let’s hope other politicians follow suit.

5. John Gustafson

We don’t like to blow our own horn (or should we say hairdryer?) but handbag.com’s very own beauty and make-up guru extraordinaire John Gustafson has been making women feel gorgeous in the skin they’re in on the site since our launch in 1999. But don’t just take our word for it. So remarkable in John’s talent that it will take you five years to get a personal consultation with him at Fenwick’s of Bond Street in London. Can’t wait that long? See John’s beauty tips on handbagTV

6. John Galliano

Fantastically feminine shapes are the hallmark of John Galliano’s creations for both Christian Dior and his eponymous label, with nipped-in waists and high drama used to accentuate the female form to full effect. And who’s to argue with Galliano’s legions of fans including Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman and burlesque queen Dita Von Teese? Not us.

7. Mario Testino

Raising fashion photography to an art form, Mario Testino has shot nearly every model and celebrity worth mentioning and knows how to make women ooze beauty with his highly glamorous style. The fact that his images of two of the most photographed women of our time – Kate Moss and Princess Diana – have stood out from the pack and become iconic in their own right is a testament to his remarkable talent.

8. Darren Starr

Before Darren Starr, television would have you believe the phrase “anal sex” had never passed a woman’s lips before. Starr had plenty of experience in female feistiness by creating Beverly Hills 90210 and Melrose Place, but it was bringing Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda to life in Sex And The City, that unleashed a female cultural, sexual, and fashion movement. The new Sex And The City film due out in May 2008 shows the movement has no signs of slowing.

9. Jason Reitman

Admittedly he had Diablo Cody’s fantastic script to work with, but director Jason Reitman’s quirky, tender comedy Juno, about pregnant teenager (Ellen Page) who decides to have her child adopted by “baby-starved wingnut” Vanessa (Jennifer Garner) was done with a sensitive man’s touch, accurately portraying both female characters and their situations in a wholly realistic and complex light.

10. Alexander McCall Smith

His series of novels about The No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency led by the brilliant Mma Precious Ramotswe has become a worldwide success for both sexes. Not only has Alexander McCall Smith created books that make for compulsive reading, he also manages to make them intelligent by covering themes such as women in power, religion, AIDS and modern African society.

11. David Beckham

Many think Victoria Beckham “stood by her man” but these days it seems the other way around. Along with tirelessly promoting the numerous Team Beckham range of merchandise (in matching or highly-stylised outfits no less), David has never had a bad word to say about his wife of nearly 10 years. And when Victoria reunited with the Spice Girls, David humbly took a step back to be the band’s biggest fan and self-described “official photographer.” We are also mighty impressed with his recent sign of devotion; wearing a t-shirt of a naked Victoria.

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