Having class isn't about kicking up a pair of Louboutins or lunching at the Ivy. It's about the basics: Giving respect, being gracious, even not taking yourself so seriously.
Man-About-Town Derek Blasberg exemplifies all this and more in his freshman effort, Classy: Exceptional Advice for the Extremely Modern Lady, a collection of insight, anecdotes, tips and tsk-tsks culled from his adventures as intrepid editor-at-large for Style.com and senior fashion news and special projects editor for V. He's also my neighbor in this month's Harper's Bazaar: My feature on a nude Kim Kardashian, Joy Bryant and Amanda deCadanet precedes his on the life transforming brain tumor endured by actress-designer Tara Subkoff.
Darling Derek swooped into L.A. recently for a launch party hosted by Style.com's Dirk Standen along with starlets Kate Bosworth, Nicole Richie and Margherita Missoni at her family's new flagship on Rodeo Drive.

La Vie En Rose: You've written an entire book on what it is to be classy, but for the ADD friends out there, how do you define the term in a sound bite?
Derek Blasberg: The book is a collection of humorous essays and illustrations aimed at telling the difference between a lady and a tramp. Judging by the women we're putting on a pedestal lately, determining this might be harder thank you think. In the book, I cover everything in a young woman's life--from what to wear, how to sit, how to host a party, how to travel...even dating tips. I also explain how to tell the difference between a lady and a tramp. But what I think is most important is the entirely modern obstacles facing a young woman--namely, how technology means girls are becoming trampier, easier, be it by sexting, attending to a Blackberry instead of to dinner companions, sending nude pics to the cute boy online...It's dangerous out there!

LVER: Unlike previous etiquette gurus, you seem to be serving up your wisdom with a bit of tongue in chic.
DB: I like to think I have an insider perspective on all sorts of ladies and tramps. I grew up in Missouri with a core set of Midwestern values and then moved to New York, where I quickly found myself in a much faster scene. I've worked in fashion and entertainment for a decade now, and I'd like think I have a good sense of humor. So the book hopefully comes off as the sound advice a good friend would give you.

LVER: I find those who can't let go of their texting devices at dinner very unclassy. Which one among the social sins do you most tsk-tsk?
DB: That's a long list! But being on the phone through dinner definitely tops the list. Essential dinner manners are too rare. A few tips: The dinner fork is on the left and keep those elbows off the table, for heaven's sake! Common mistakes include divulging too much about yourself online; posting photographs that will come back to haunt; confusing sexy and slutty in your wardrobe...Honey, there are a lot of missteps out there!

LVER: Indeed. What do you find is among the classiest of qualities?
DB: Common sense, sense of awareness and a sense of humor. All the senses, in fact!

LVER: You've now been promoting the book with a swirl of parties in several cities. Is there something you've come across you would put in the next edition of this guide?
DB: Luckily, I haven't found anything I've left out...yet.

Classy is available at Amazon and bookstores near you.

Photos Courtesy of Starworks