A Global Style Icon in the Making
Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 8:28 PM 
Photo courtesy of the White House / Eric Draper
We've noticed interest in Mrs. O's style growing apace around the world, particularly since the election last week. Without doubt, the Maria Pinto coral red dress she wore at the White House yesterday caused a spike in global media admiration, with the dress earning its own column inches in the mainstream British press.
Sarah Vine, lead columnist at The Times in London talks of her choice today saying, "It is a dress that requires total self belief and chutzpah...it has been a long while since a neckline as fashion-forward as this has been spotted within a mile of the Oval Office...by wearing it Mrs. Obama is leaving no room for confusion: she means business."
In an earlier piece, also for The Times, Vine talked of how Mrs. O challenges Carla Bruni, the ex-super model wife of President Sarkozy of France, in the style stakes: "For Carla Bruni, reigning queen of First Ladies, the game is finally up....in Michelle Obama, Ms. Bruni has truly met her match. This is a First Lady like none before.....Everything about this woman speaks to the modern, post-feminist woman: she is manifestly clever, independently minded, attractive in a normal, accessible way....Her demeanour is a reassuring mixture of sassy and self-deprecating; her easy, confident dress sense neither too sexy nor too self-conscious."
Mrs. O's uncanny knack of mixing her labels with high street basics was noticed by Carola Long at the UK's Independent newspaper. We also particularly liked a piece written back at the end of September by Shane Watson for The Sunday Times which credits Mrs. O's style as one which provides women the world over with a great new working look: "For once a woman in a position of power has not felt compelled to follow a formula, and is power dressing as herself..."
Check out the article itself for Watson's Mrs. O-inspired "Rules of the Real Power Dressing". Post her entry last year in Vanity Fair's International Best-Dressed list perhaps the global media interest should come as no surprise. It remains to be seen if Mrs. O's style will remain a topic of such hot interest and debate, but it certainly seems like she is shaping up to be something of a global style icon in the making.
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Reader Comments (19)
Mrs. Bush is a lovely lady, however she does need to hoist those hanging baskets.
An absolutely splendid dress on Michelle -- definitely emphazing her own column-like body proportions. Michelle's height makes her even more stunning, along with her carriage. I'm predicting the most glorious inaugural gown ever. And the colors on her! What can't this woman wear?!
She does indeed look splendid in red. And thanks to her height and confident approach she can get away with a bin liner!LOL! Just kidding of course. I can't wait to be awed by her Inaugural gown. Vera Wang maybe or Monique L'Huillier?
I love Michelle's style. She chooses great colors and modern, elegant styles, and she shops at Target and isn't afraid to mix and match! What's not to love?! I'm LOVING this red dress, and kudos for her for just saying, "No" to pantyhose!!!
OK, OK, so Laura looks great, too, but Michelle just pops.
I am so loving what Michelle is doing with her authentic look. She makes me rock my own look even more.
I loved Jackie Kennedy, and I for one think it is time to replace her and Michelle President B will replace JFK, I just hope you do not become the 2nd Mrs O "Onasis" I love you and you make any dress look good. Please take care of My President.
I think we need to stop comparing them to the Kennedys because Michelle Obama is far more accomplished than Jackie and the P-E is a much better father and husband than JFK. Also, I love the shape of her in the Maria Pinto dress.
Again I ask, why didn't she wear this dress Election Night?
GORGEOUS. This is my favorite of her choices so far. Where can I get one, lol? (Seriously, does H&M want to knock it off or something?)
@Allison: the rumor is that the inaugural ball dress will be a black designer out of Atlanta...her name escapes me but I'll find it and post it here.
-L.
http://elledub08.wordpress.com
Do you mean Mychael Knight?
lovely and elegant.pumps suit her.
I wouldn't characterize Michelle as more or less accomplished than Jackie, just different. Jackie studied at Vassar and took her degree from George Washington University (apparently she'd not been so happy with Vassar), but managed, also, to study at the Sorbonne where she deepened her knowledge of French history, language, and culture. Jackie was fluent in French, and could get along well in any Romance tongue. Her interests extended to the Fine Arts fields, Ballet, antiques and art, and she rather saw herself as a kind of "creative director" of history. Again, I am not comparing her to Michelle, only saying their interests and passions differed. The important lesson for any young woman to take from both First Ladies is the importance of education (whether at an Ivy League, Seven Sisters, public university, or even local community college.) The degree counts for a good deal, and nowadays advanced degrees are more important than in Jackie's day (for professional purposes).
Oh, this dress is an absolute knockout!
As much as I love this dress, it is a classic 'day dress' and I don't agree it would have been perfect for election night. To me, at least, the Rodriguez frock was clearly evening wear. And the Mychael Knight comment just about gave me a heart attack this morning! Don't think we want Michelle getting all 'beyonce-d out' up in the White House anytime soon.
Re Jackie Onassis accomplishments vs MO: 2 very accomplished women living in wildly different times.
In my opinion Michelle Obama is a strong woman in her own right - intellectually, emotionally and sartorially. I believe she stands on her own, and doesn't need to be compare to anyone for us to appreciate what a splendid style icon she is. (Nice website - thank you!)
Certainly my fav outfit of hers. She looked perfect in this pic. Her height is wonderful and she's so lady-like. My new style-idol!
I've always found Michelle Obama to be an attractive, elegant woman and this picture just proves it. I love that she can pull off many different styles and her height does help. Like others, I can't wait to see what she'll wear for the inauguration ball. I absolutely adored the dress she wore for election night.
Nothing against Jackie O, but I tire of the comparisons of Michelle to her. Michelle O is her own accomplished, strong woman and I love her for it. Dress was not appropiate for election night and it's a little too old, but she still wears it well.