POLITICS OF FASHION: MICHELLE OBAMA IN LONDONTOWN

Lucky Jason Wu and equally lucky J. Crew! Left: President Obama arrives in London for the G-20 Summit. First Lady Obama disembarks from Air Force One wearing Jason's chartreuse silk crepe sheath dress with black Michael Kors duster and her favorite belt: a black studded Azzedine Alaia. Right: Arriving at 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister's residence, wearing J.Crew's crystal constellation cardigan and dazzling-dots jacquard pencil skirt.

Mind the gap! This is a gratuitous Michelle Obama post, because I can, because this is my blog :) Please expect to see many of these over the course of the next four, ahem, eight years. More importantly, I'm sharing these pictures because if you're anything like me, your spirits are lifted each time you catch a glimpse of the new First Couple. I positively swoon when I see these two, and the fashion lover in me is just so thrilled at Michelle's penchant for fashion.

She's not tone deaf, she gets it. She realizes that she has to dress responsibly and show emotional intelligence given the global economic crisis. Thus, despite her new role and access to high fashion, she recycles her clothes (see the Azzedine Alaia belt that is worn above right and worn here, here, and here). She consistently maintains a wardrobe that is high-low by pairing less expensive pieces with high-end designers.(see the J. Crew crystal constellation cardigan,which is already sold out, and mint colored dazzling-dots pencil skirt worn above left. She's also a fan of H&M and the Gap).

Update: Check out the pic of Michelle and Barack with the Queen!

Left: Just right! Wearing a black duchess satin coat by Jason Wu. Right: Looking prim and proper and a touch too casual in my humble opinion . . . Mrs. O is wearing a black and ivory silk crepe dress by Isabel Toledo, topped off with a cashmere cardigan by Alaia.

Another distinctive Michelle touch? Her propensity for bright colors and sparkles. This is clearly an attempt to keep our spirits lifted in "dark" times. Stay tuned for pictures of Michelle's ensemble for the Obamas' audience with the Queen! On this occasion, Michelle is wearing a black swing coat with soft curves and pearls (natch). It appears that she's wearing a black skirt and black cardigan beneath (so much for my light colors theory) which is, dare I say it, looking a bit casual. . . C'mon Michelle, everyone knows that you must wear light colors (think Easter eggs) to tea!

Click on the label below for vintage Politics of Fashion posts! And, stay abreast of all Michelle Obama fashion news by reading mrs-o.org.

COVER STYLE: MICHELLE OBAMA + VOGUE

Michelle Obama wears Jason Wu (it's his lucky year!), she also wore Jason's dress to the Inaugural Balls. Photographed by Annie Liebovitz at the Hay-Adams Hotel.

The much anticipated Vogue cover featuring First Lady Michelle Obama is here! The Washington Post reports that this is the second time that a First Lady is featured on Vogue's cover.

Starting with Lou Hoover, Herbert Hoover's wife, first ladies have been photographed for Vogue, but those photos have often appeared inside where they are well placed, not quite hidden, but not quite having the oomph of being featured out front.- Washington Post

I expected nothing less for our history making First Lady. But, history aside, Michelle is far more fashionable than many of her precursors so the Vogue cover is only appropriate. It's the least they can do.

I don't love the pic, but I generally don't like the pics of Black women (that aren't models) that Annie Liebovitz shoots for Vogue covers. Remember this one? I'll lay off from the criticism, as it must have been hard to capture the essence of such a multi-varied woman on the eve of the most memorable inauguration in modern history, not to mention that this is, after all, the First Lady--the shot couldn't be too Vogueish.

P.S. - Maybe I'm too harsh on Annie. The pic below was taken by her and featured in Vogue's June 2008 issue. It's quite nice!

P.P.S. - The story is written by Vogue editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley. I have a pic of Andre wearing a fabulous reversible fur coat--braving the cold--on inauguration day. One of my girlfriends took the pic and he was gracious enough to take a pic with her as well! Good to see that others don't chicken out at the sight of him. I don't think I'll post it though, because he's my homie (in my head) and it wasn't the best shot of him. I don't want the bad karma!
Click on the label below for vintage Cover Style and Politics of Fashion posts!

Update: Check out the full Vogue story and additional pictures of First Lady Obama here.

POLITICS OF FASHION: MRS. OBAMA GOES TO WASHINGTON

Isaac Mizhrahi sketch for Michelle, Malia and Sasha Obama.

Women's Wear Daily asked for sketches for the future First Lady's inaugural dress and fashion's designing elite answered. View a slideshow of each sketch here. I really like the dress above because it is classic, colorful and would be flattering on Michelle's figure. It's fancy enough to honor the solemnity of the occasion, but the bright color adds a bit of fun. The slide below includes some of the sketches submitted to WWD by the fashion designers (click on the slide for a large picture).  Which dress do you think is most appropriate?

Designers such as Isaac Mizrahi, Monique Lhuillier, Carolina Herrera, Badgley Mischka, Betsey Johnson, Chado Ralph Rucci, Karl Largerfeld for Chanel, Diane von Furstenberg, Koi Suwannagate, Marc Jacobs, Christian Lacroix, Michael Kors, Oscar de la Renta, Zac Posen, Tracy Reese, Rodarte, Rachel Roy, Peter Som, Elie Tahari, Tuleh, Kai Milla, Nicole Miller, Reem Acra, Zero + Maria Cornejo all submitted sketches. 

Surprisingly, a few of Michelle's favorite designers are missing from the list. . . there's nary a mention of Maria Pinto, Narcisso Rodriguez or Thakoon--designers whose frocks have been worn by Mrs. Obama on the campaign trail and to key victory speeches and white house visits. Interesting. Maybe these designers have submitted sketches directly to the First Lady in waiting.

I think these Bonnie Young dresses would go well with the Isaac Mizhrahi dress for Michelle Obama above.  Malia's dress looks a lot like this Giambattista Valli creation.

Not to be outdone, check out WWD's sketches for Malia and Sasha here. Meanwhile, the President-elect is rumored to be wearing a Hart Schaffner Marx tuxedo--an American made, Chicago based union shop.

Click on the label below for vintage Politics of Fashion posts.

POLITICS OF FASHION: FIRST LADY FASHION!

Aren't you happy with the election results?! I so look forward to seeing President Obama and his beautiful family in the White House! I'm also super excited to see the future First Lady's fashion choices. Just as Obama's presidency will be the panacea to President Bush's failed policies, Michelle Obama's fashion sense is a welcome change from the dreary styles of Mrs. Bush. Interesting times are ahead of us politically and sartorially.

Not since Jackie Kennedy are people so tuned in to the First Lady's dress. Her style is a modern day incarnation of the Lady of Camelot...down to the faux pearls! She's even being compared to the First Lady of France, Carla Bruni Sarkozy. I cannot wait to see what she wears to the inaugural ball! The internet is rife with speculation as to the inaugural dress. Check out these designs from former Project Runway contestants and check out Jezebel's suggestions here.

Wall Street Journal Comparison of Michelle O. and Jackie O nee Kennedy.

While I've enjoyed some of Cindy McCain's ensembles, I've often worried about her choice of sherbert colored fabric. Mrs. McCain's style is age appropriate, and so probably wouldn't have gone over so well on Michelle, but the colors?! Not to mention the price tag. We know that Michelle can afford pricier designer duds...she loves Thakoon and Maria Pinto and frequents Ikram, but like the rest of us, she wears J. Crew, Gap and H&M often. You don't need a lot of money to buy class and a fashion sense!

P.S. It looks like the Obama girls are already quite the little fashionistas! Read more about Sasha's influence here and Malia's status as a fashion icon here.

FENTON/FALLON + J. CREW

Have you seen the December 2009 issue of Glamour Magazine? If so, then I'm sure that I'm not the only one admiring our First Lady's Necklace!

Fenton Fallon + J. Crew "Carrington" necklace, in Antique Gold, available at www.jcrew.com, $295.00

Dana Lorenz of Fenton/Fallon, created the statement necklace worn by Michelle Obama on the cover of Glamour Magazine's December issue (seen below). Fortunately for the rest of us, Dana Lorenz was in talks with J. Crew about possibly creating a version of Mrs. O's necklace for the retailer--and finalized their agreement, three days before the Glamour issue hit the stands. Apparently, neither Fenton/Fallon nor J. Crew knew that the very same necklace they intended to replicate would be worn by the First Lady! In fact, Dana Lorenz did not know that Mrs. Obama owned her necklace!

Fenton/Fallon + J. Crew "Carrington" necklace, in Charcoal Grey, available for $295.00 on www.jcrew.com

Continue reading, and see Mrs. O on the cover of Glamour, after the jump. . .

THE BIG REVEAL!

At last. . . I watched the Inauguration with new English, South African and Australian friends. . . one Brit in particular (actually, a bunch of them) said of the Inauguration day dress: [insert strong Tottenham accented English here] "She's dressed like the Queen Mother!". . . I actually liked Michelle's day dress by Isabel Toledo, 47, whom I only first heard about when I read this article about her and talented husband, Ruben, several months back (thanks for the article David B!).

Like the rest of us, neither Jason nor Isabel knew what Michelle would wear. They found out that she was wearing their designs by watching the inauguration coverage! Left: I had a feeling she'd wear white just like her fashion forebear Jackie O! The one-of-a-kind Jason Wu chiffon dress; Right: The Isabel Toledo satin-backed wool dress is made with lace called guipure, it's a kind of lace used most often in French haute couture.

The Toledo dress is colorful (is that chartreuse?), screamed optimism, and how great did it look against the yellow of St. John's church? Michelle kept the look youthful by adding fun green J.Crew gloves and Jimmy Choo heels. . . it fit well and was totally appropriate for the occasion. I did enjoy the extra bling from all that bezel. And, to Jason Wu, 26, the lucky designer whose silk chiffon dress--with organza rosettes, Swarovski crystal rhinestones and silver embroidery--was worn by Mrs. O to 10 Inaugural balls, congratulations!!!

Left: The President and First Lady the day before the Inauguration--Michelle is wearing a tan and black Narcisso Rodriquez suit; Right: Obama in J.Crew at the Kids' Inaugural Concert. She's wearing Loree Rodkin's green saffire earrings and deco-inspired belt!

Both designers are representative of new Americana, a la Barack Obama, diversity and talent at their best. Both are people of color and in Mr. Wu's case, gay. Both are from immigrant backgrounds, Mrs. Toledo a Latina from Cuba who grew up in New Jersey and Mr. Wu from Taiwan, who grew up in Canada, France and Japan. CNN points out Michelle's penchant for wearing American designers from other nations. Her choice no doubt sends a message of hope throughout the embattled American fashion industry.

Didn't Malia and Sasha look downright edible?! They were super cute in their J. Crew coats from the Crewcuts line (sorry, you can't buy one) and enjoyed their lip gloss way too much. . .Let's not forget about Jill Biden, who is clearly a fashionista herself. She looked fantastic in her red Reem Acra ball gown! I thought her day ensemble (red Fleurette coat and a belted glen plaid dress by Milly) was a bit casual, why boots and not some hot pumps? It's cold, but still. . .

As discussed previously, President Barack Hussein Obama was slated to wear a Hart Schaffner Marx tuxedo--from an American made, Chicago based union shop. . . But, I'm not sure what he wore. Unsurprisingly, it doesn't appear that anyone has written about his outfit!

P.S.--Looks like J. Crew is geeked about the Presidential publicity! Check out the front page of their website as they congratulate the First Family.

POLITICS OF FASHION: NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM

"This gown is a masterpiece. It is simple, it’s elegant, and it comes from this brilliant young mind . . . Today is about much more than this gown. It’s also about how, with enough focus and with enough determination, someone in this room could be the next Jason Wu.” - Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama donated her Inaugural ball gown to the Smithsonian today. The dress will be included in an exhibit entitled: The First Lady's Debut. Designer Jason Wu was on hand to observe his creation's further induction into perpetuity.

View the online exhibit and a behind-the-scenes video by clicking "Read more" below.

YES WE CAN!

And in a shocking display of partisanship, multiple designers at Paris Fashion Week showcased their love for Barack Obama...all up and down the runways!

Spring 2009 looks at Sonia Rykiel, left, and Jean-Charles de Castelbajac (peep the "yes" and "no" gloves).

This is why I love the French. Stay tuned for a post on CFDA certified gear--inspired by Obama, as well as a post showing off Michelle Obama's style. Clearly, I'm very biased; unashamedly so (and I still have love for Hillary--though that was tested earlier this year!). Be sure to vote this November.

Update: Check out Zandile's post, over at the Blay report, on Keds for Barack.

Source: NY Mag. Thanks for the tip, Dr. Deville!

POLITICS OF FASHION: MR. PRESIDENT

I was fortunate enough to not only co-host, but leave work early enough to attend, the Women for Obama event held at the Harvard Club last night!

with Barack and other members of the host committee...

Michelle Obama was the keynote speaker and her husband came out to lend his support! Her speech was particulary moving and resonated with the rest of the audience as much as it did with me...I guess that's why she may be the next first lady!

She's really commanding in person...as tall and beautiful as any model. She looked amazing in her ruffled shirt and belted pant suit!

Speaking of models...Iman is as sweet as she is beautiful! She spent a lot of time chatting us up and taking pics...ummmm, I refuse to post any pic of me standing next to her, so...moving on...her ruffled shirt (with black skinny pant) was super feminine and romantic! Is that Chanel?

Gayle King was exuberant in a beautiful peach ensemble with fierce, matching, ostrich bag!...she missed the Chicago premiere of the Color Purple in order to introduce Michelle and Barack.

Phylicia Rashad exuded quiet confidence in a sophisticated, and safe--but this is a political event--dark suit!

I'm not sure who this woman is, but she looked super cute and sophisticated in a simple A-line dress and oversized pearls!

Click the label below to check out other style events!

DURO OLOWU + J.C. PENNEY

"I've always tried to give women a sense of inner beauty with joy, and now it's just the right time to make that more democratic. When I was thinking about this collection, I wanted to give American classic shapes and ideas a global flair."- Duro Olowu

We know that J.C. Penney is not doing well, posting a $55 million net loss during the first quarter of 2012. But, the retailer is hitting back, tying its survival to a reinvention strategy announced this past January. Chief among it is J.C. Penney's strategic approach to wooing a highly desired demographic: the fashionable young consumer. According to dailyfinance.com, stores will be reorganized into specialty shops; high end designer collaborations with the likes of Duro Olowu,  Marchesa, Tourneau and Cynthia Rowley; and leadership by CEO Ron Johnson--who brought Apple to retail stores and is responsible for Target's strategic partnerships with fashion forward designers--are expected to turn the struggling retailer around. After digesting some competitive analysis, J.C. Penney is (finally) diving head first into the world of mass-retailer-and-hot-designer collaborations and is starting off by pairing with Nigerian-by-way-of-London designer Duro Olowu. Olowu, a former a laywer, is known as the designer responsible for bold, brash, painterly prints, a mix master of sorts, who is also the 2005 British Fashion Awards' Designer of the Year and a favorite of First Lady Michelle Obama.

Click "read more" below for additional pictures and more on Duro Olowu's capsule collection for J.C. Penney. Click the label below for vintage Style Collaborations posts!

BOSSY

Here it is, fresh from the pages of one of the more conservative business newspapers, a primer on power dressing for the fashion conscious career woman. According to the Wall Street Journal, today's corporate fashionista is no shrinking violet. She chooses outfits that are infused with color, unapologetically feminine, bold and understated and, of course, decidedly sexy. How does one achieve this look? Don't shy away from mixing textures, embrace accents like pleats and bows, reconsider embroidery and lace, incorporate the new neutrals, and, really, does your suit have to match?

"Borrow a little from the boys, and a lot from the girls"

But, seriously, even with powerful women like Michelle Obama, Queen Rania and Olivia Pope leading the charge, can we mere mortals get away with being fashion forward in conservative corporate culture? Obvi, the lawyer in me is screaming "it depends". That's because it does! The old refrain: "dress for the job you want" is still applicable here. If powerful women in your organization openly embrace fashion, then it's much easier to tread in the path that they've already blazed, easier still if you work in an industry in which looking fab is part of the job description, but if you work with the good 'ol boys, the risk averse lawyer in me is cautioning you not to start bucking any trends. See below for elements of a stylish and boardroom appropriate ensemble.

 Earrings: Lizzie Fortunato Left Bank earrings from Moda Operandi, $270; Purse: Alexander Wang Rocco Duffel, $875; Peplum Jacket: Alexander Mqueen, $2, 815; Shoes: Sergio Rossi black suede sandals with gold frill, $447; Baroque freshwater cultured pearls, $180.

There are ways to strike a balance, and I'd like to think that I do so. Even though the words from an ex still haunt me: "You look great, but that's too much for a law firm", and this from my main gay: "I'm worried that your outfits are too fashion-y for work". So, in truth, I save fab outfits for the weekends or after work, but I do get it in where I can during the work week: bright nail polish (and long-ish nails), great shoes (in brown, black or gray), bold bags (even in bold colors) and feminine shells (always silk or satin, sometimes with lace and bows) buried under a navy, gray or black suit and topped off with double strand pearls. That usually does the trick, or so I hope . . .

Click the label below for vintage Style Trends posts!

THAKOON + TARGET

The rumors were true. . . Target has confirmed that wunder designer Thakoon Panichgul is indeed the next designer in their Go International series. Thakoon has been in the news a lot as of late. His dresses are favored by Michelle Obama and he is designing for Italian accessories giant Hogan.

"Target was very easy to work with. They wanted a lot of prints and I chose silhouettes that have done well in the past." - Thakoon to Women's Wear Daily.

This collaboration is especially exciting because Thakoon essentially replicates his runway looks for the Target collection. Compare the dresses here. Close, right? You'll find his signature prints and patterns throughout the Target collection. Thakoon for Target will be available beginning on Christmas day. Check out the press release and images!

Click on the label below for vintage Style Collaborations posts.

RARE BIRD!

While perusing The Sartorialist (if you're not already a fan, you must get on it) a couple of months ago, I stumbled across the pic below. Sart described the outfit as '80s flapper.

I loved everything, but the feather in the hair really appealed to me. I needed to find out who made it! My search was short lived . . . as I read the comments, I came across a note from the designer, Alita (below right).

So right after going to her site and scooping up a few of her feathered headbands for me and friends, I contacted her to ask a few questions for StyleChile.

Left: Green Guinea Black White Spot Headband Alice Band Shimmer $32.00; Right: Wide Green Rippling Sea Band, $44.00

When asked about her biggest fashion influences, Alita replied: "the biggest by far was Isabella Blow, who was a great patron and muse to the avant garde hatmaker Philip Treacy". Alita has been drawn to designing and jewelry-making ever since childhood. With respect to fashion, she's most proud of "being shot by the Sartorialist" (both her and her pieces!). I die. She's clearly on top of her fashion game. Of the Sart, she says: "He's one of the most finicky sensibilities in fashion right now...and you don't find him, he finds you."

Feathers are a key trend for this fall winter. Adding a feather to your ensemble is an easy and inexpensive way to add some flair. Check out Carolina Herrera's use of feather in her Fall 2008 show here, and Michelle Obama's feather pin.

Get your own Charm School Design original by visiting www.charmschooldesign.etsy.com. You can thank me later! Order for Christmas by December 11. Tell Alita I sent ya!

WELL READ!

Cover of "Mrs. O: The Face of Fashion Democracy"

From the woman who brought us this site (one of my favorites!) which pays homage to First Lady Michelle Obama, comes a book that chronicles--with over 120 photographs and interviews with many of Mrs. O's favorite designers--the artistry, ingenuity and behind-the-scenes machinations of our always polished and fashionable First Lady.

A couple of pages from Mary Tomer's book

Click here to get more insight on the book--straight from Mrs. T--and get a sneak peak here. Order your copy from Amazon today!

Click on the label below for vintage Politics of Fashion posts!

IF YOU ARE WHAT THEY SAY YOU ARE...

Michelle is not the only one with designers clamoring all over her...The man of the hour needs attire as well! Women's Wear Daily asked, and fashion designers answered...from Richard James Saville Row (featured above), to Sean John, Perry Ellis and even Nicole Miller! Geoffrey Beene, Elie Tahari, Countess Mara, to Zegna and Tim Hamilton...They all submitted designs for Barack Obama's inaugural ensembles. All 53 looks are featured in the slide below. Click here to check out WWD's slideshow.

I'm excited to see what he picks, but I already know that it will be spectacular! I'm partial to Zegna (always)....and Ferragamo is a good look, but might that be because they were the only ones to draw a figure that really resembled the President-Elect? I'm not feeling D Squared's depiction of Obama in the least and I'm not quite sure the folks at Duckie Brown were serious...Nautica's suit looks like something he has already worn on many occasions... Some designers took the Lincoln reference just a bit too far...they had everything but the top hat!

Fashion aside, I'm psyched to experience this moment in history. Even though I'm so very far away from Washington, D.C., I'll be there in spirit!

Click on the link below for vintage Politics of Fashion posts.