Opulent Minimalism
Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at 12:22 PM 
Image via Factio-Magazine.com
We love this photo of Mrs. O with her long-time fashion collaborator Maria Pinto. It was taken on a sultry June day in 2007 at Sepia restaurant in Chicago, where an invitation-only crowd was invited to view a runway preview of Pinto’s fall 2007 collection. One of the hostesses of this event was Mrs. O. Mrs. O’s Mediterranean blue dress—designed, naturally, by Pinto—is made of silk faille, which adds appropriate weight and body to the style while avoiding bulk. The faille ribbing tones down the sheen of the silk while adding a subtle design detail, which can be seen, in a different color, on Pinto’s web site (see image on top right).
Here is one more example of the opulent minimalism that is Pinto’s signature look. Particularly fetching, we feel, are the low-cut armholes and the snug high-banded waist, both of which are style favorites of Mrs. O’s. This picture seems particularly prescient to us: one year later, Maria Pinto opened her one-and-only boutique, next door to Sepia, in the West Loop neighborhood. And the bright color of Mrs. O’s dress seems to foreshadow the night, fourteen months later, when she wore the muted turquoise dress (also by Pinto) while speaking at the Democratic convention.
Maria Pinto in Outfits
Reader Comments (19)
Wow - Mrs O looks so beautiful. Like a film star.
I love the low cut armholes. They are - dare I say it while referring to our first lady to be - sexy.
Great photo - thanks for sharing.
See, this is what I've been saying all along: how gorgeous she is in bright colors! I reeeally hope she'll wear more of them.
Turquoise rocks. It's one of those shades that looks good on pretty much everyone and is always cheery and beautiful. It would be cool if Mrs. O can make a color like this her "signature", kind of like the first Mrs. Bush's cobalt blue or Nancy Reagan's red. God knows we need some cheer in these tough economic times.
I also love how Mrs. O kept the accessories simple and minimalistic ... I think it lets the color speak for itself.
The color really is fantastic, and the low cut armholes - yes, RJT, sexy, yet classy.
Her hair is also very complimentary...the lazy curl over her eye and subtle flip...very flirty and easy-going.
Just love her and love this blog!
love this dress, and yes the armholes are a nice detail. i hope she makes purple her signature color, though she looks fabulous in all kinds of jewel tones.
Gorgeous.
I have to also concur that bright and vibrant colors look best on Michelle- including the Yellow J.Crew number that got so many mixed reviews. For us girls with more "womanly" figures high waists and full or a-line skirts are always a plus, and the armholes just barely update this classic look. But Mrs. O. is also very statuesque so of course this dress length looks best on people with her body type.
www.zazzle/com/mizzbella
I have to also concur that bright and vibrant colors look best on Michelle- including the Yellow J.Crew number that got so many mixed reviews. For us girls with more "womanly" figures high waists and full or a-line skirts are always a plus, and the armholes just barely update this classic look. But Mrs. O. is also very statuesque so of course this dress length looks best on people with her body type.
www.zazzle.com/mizzbella
What a great photo - you can see the genuine friendship between Michelle and Maria. Another example of how comfortable Mrs. O is with being in the limelight. Mrs. O's dress - the vivid color, texture and lines - is gorgeous. Her beautiful, rich skin tones and toned figure make this dress a stand out. Thanks for finding and sharing.
I really like the cut of the dress especially under the arms. Its really nice on her and shows off her great collarbone, shoulders, and arms.
Thought you’d want to know, they announced the Inauguration Day Program. Looks pretty good, Aretha Franklin, Itzhak Perlman, Rev. Lowery.
http://www.obama-mamas.com/blog/?p=124
She looks fabulous in cyan! As a Chicagoan, I really appreciate the references to to our fair city. We are very proud of Mr. and Mrs. O.
She is so beautiful, and she looks amazing in that dress! The color is perfect for her... bright colors need to make a comeback. I can't wait to see what she wears to the Inauguration. I hope you guys will cover that too!!
simply a beauty. radiant in this bright color.
She is simply gorgeous in this dress! And I love this site!! AWESOME!
Fantastic color and cut! It really kind of destroys anything around it in comparison, including the cute dress the designer herself is wearing.
Kristan
http://jbu.phuzzymath.net
Ugh! I must admit that I'm now officially addicted to this blog- I keep coming back hoping to find another post!
@ MizzBella
make that two!! im worse!! coming to the Mrs. O blog has become an hourly event for me (even if there is no new post, i check to see if there is a new comment!!
ps: I totally started detecting the Mrs. O blog addicts amongst my friends when they just don't refer to the future first lady as Michelle Obama, but as Mrs O!!! i love it!
I know that Mrs. O often wears Bill Blass as well...not as much as Maria Pinto ofcourse. For anyone that is interested, Gilt Groupe is doing a Bill Blass sale online next Monday. I expect evening gowns to be seriously discounted considering the state of the economy.
Here is the invite-happy shopping!
http://www.gilt.com/invite/katielovesbargains
I love this dress! I really hope that Mrs.O sticks with Maria Pinto for the inauguration.