GREEN & GLOVER: Robe decision for Sotomayor

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By Stephanie Green and Elizabeth Glover

It's back-to-school week for new-kid-on-the-block Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, but her new school wardrobe may need a little help. As we reported last month, her friend Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg counseled her to find a judicial robe in London or France because robes for female justices are virtually nonexistent stateside.

Never ones to let an extreme-makeover opportunity slip through our hands, we tapped some local fashion designers and high school students through our friends at Fashion Fights Poverty (FFP) to produce sketches for Justice Sotomayor to consider.

We are especially grateful for the young fashionistas at Woodrow Wilson High School in the District and West Potomac Academy near Alexandria, who participate in FFP's educational outreach programs, for helping.

"Fashion Fights Poverty is thrilled to be able to showcase the work of students, designers and supporters that have worked with us over the years," said Elaine Mensah, FFP's fashion director and vice president for production.

Although Justice Sotomayor declined comment through a spokesperson, we're sure once she's settled in to her new role and office, her closet will be the next item on her agenda, and she'll give these up-and-coming Ralph Laurens a second look.

Draper's the Man

You know the president's honeymoon period is over when fictional television characters edge him out in public opinion polls. Don Draper of AMC's hit show "Mad Men" is now the most influential man in the world, according to askmen.com's annual list of power players.

According to the popular men's Web site, more than 500,000 readers cast votes for the guys (living, dead and fictional) from the fields of entertainment, politics, technology and sports who most embodied the way men want to live today. The fictional advertising executive topped the list.

"Calls to Don Draper's office were not immediately returned, possibly due to the fact that he is a character who is supposed to exist in the 1960s," an askmen.com press release kids.

Coming in at No. 2 is Jamaican Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt, followed by the leader of the free world.

"It's interesting how drinking, smoking and carousing wins the race today, no offense to President Obama and Mr. Bolt," reflects "Mad Men" creator and producer Matthew Weiner on Draper's tough-guy rep.

D.C. 'Wives' a go

In other television news, Bravo has officially greenlighted "Real Housewives of D.C." along with another season of the "Real Housewives of New Jersey."

According to a Bravo press release, the Washington cast has not been determined, but filming is under way, with a series premiere set for sometime next year.

Filming, however, may have hit a few snags. We spotted "Real Housewives" hottie Mary Amons along with her hairstylist, Ted Gibson, at the Meridian Ball Friday night.

A ball official divulged to us exclusively that the show's producers had asked to film at the elegant soiree with high-ranking government officials and media bigfeet but were flatly rebuffed.

• To contact Stephanie Green or Elizabeth Glover, e-mail undercover @washingtontimes.com.