" grandes dames "

 [ "grande dame" ]

1:  A highly respected elderly or middle-aged woman. A respected woman having extensive experience in her field. Elegant, well-educated, an heir or presence about them.

  * e.g.,  ... The lady who entered the room turned many heads towards her and they will remember her after she has left - not by name but by her being because she is a grande dame. Sophia Loren, Katherine Hepburn, actresses. Georgia O'Keefe, painter/artist. Queen Latifa, rap artist. 

 [ "Grand Dame" ]

1: Noun: A person or thing that lives to make a grandiose entrance and delivers an looming and exaggerating presence. Often times can be seen as laughing at his/her own jokes or acting brand new.

  * e.g.,  ... The Grand Dame entered the party and pretended not to know anyone while creating flagrant stories for strangers 

 [ "Grand Dame" ]

1: Pronounced like "grond dom." Large woman prone to dramatic behaviors to draw attention to herself. Delights in pretending to be everyone's friend and profuse gossiper. Strives to know everything so she is gossip central. Overly elaborate in her compliments directly to you or about you to others as a trick of smoke and mirrors, distracting what she's really like. Don't reveal too much to her because you could be next on her hit list. She is cunning and very good with words. Superior communication skills. Loves to give advice and guidance to others, but chokes on her own hypocrisy when she cannot follow her own rules of conduct.

  * e.g.,  ... Jennifer considers herself to be the grand dame of the department. Jennifer behaves like the grand dame of the office.