"Michelle Obama, Wooing The First Dresser" [NY Times]
“Unlike very chic first ladies we’ve had, like Jacqueline Onassis, Michelle Obama wears so many different designers,” said Anna Wintour of Vogue. “She wears established designers like Michael Kors and a whole array of young designers. Within that group, she’s very choose-your-own-style. She never looks like the clothes are wearing her.”
J. Crew’s Jenna Lyons agrees. “With previous first ladies, one of the things that happened is that they fell into a uniform and it was always a secondary point of view,” she said. “We’ve sort of gotten used to the suits and really downplaying the femininity aspect. The incredible thing about Michelle Obama is that she’s front and center, and it has done a lot for women in that regard.”
Added Ms. Lyons: “In the beginning, I was surprised with the Lanvin sneakers and the J. Crew skinny pants. But the thing is, we’re used to being surprised now. That’s become the standard. The only thing I have come to expect is amazing color."