doyenne

One person in Washington perfectly illustrates this phenomenon: Sally Quinn, the longtime columnist and doyenne of what remains of the Georgetown set.

From Salon ● Jul. 21, 2026

Shares in Parisian handbag doyenne Hermes fell sharply last week after it booked a sales drop the company blamed partly on fewer Middle Eastern travelers splurging in its European boutiques.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 21, 2026

Many of them were barely in school when the doyenne of Paris fashion took over menswear at Hermes in 1988 with instructions from then company boss Jean-Louis Dumas to run it "like your small company".

From Barron's ● Jan. 24, 2026

I’m not a hate-watcher of the show or its star — I, too, wish to moonlight as a domestic doyenne.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 23, 2025

There was no alternative, and the absence of the doyenne must explain itself as best it could.

From The Sunny Side of Diplomatic Life, 1875-1912 by L. de (Lillie de) Hegermann-Lindencrone

Put drag queens on his runway next to Park Avenue doyennes.

From New York Times ● Nov. 17, 2022

A smattering of other “Real Housewives” doyennes make merry cameo appearances.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 5, 2021

Radziwill’s world was inhabited by doyennes of high society, artistic celebrities, fashion moguls and wealthy, prominent husbands - including one whose royal status made her a real-life princess.

From Reuters ● Feb. 16, 2019

One of the District’s most well-known drag doyennes, Lee hosted Nellie’s Sports Bar’s drag brunch for years before launching her own cabaret program in February.

From Washington Post ● Jul. 31, 2018

She describes high fashion, fast cars, caviar, big hair, and a gossip eco-system ruled by doyennes like Liz Smith and Cindy Adams.

From Slate ● Oct. 13, 2017