Couture for a Cause
Thursday, January 15, 2009 at 12:43 PM 
Photo courtesy of White House Black Market
Who can forget when, in June 2008, Mrs. O wore her now famous Donna Ricco leaf print dress to co-host The View. Revealing it was bought at the store that sells "all black and white stuff", the moment both endeared style savvy, budget-minded women across this country, and served as a huge win for the retailer White House | Black Market.
It's only fitting then that White House | Black Market would also bring chic, affordable fashion to the inaugural season. The retailer has completely transformed its Union Station boutique in Washington, D.C. into an inaugural dress headquarters, offering an expanded range of formal dresses and accessories. On display is a collection of four, one-of-a-kind couture gowns, aptly named The White House Inaugural Collection. Each size 8 dress is inspired by Mrs. O's style and named after a former First Lady.
The gowns are being auctioned off in partnership with the Clothes Off Our Back Foundation, with proceeds benefiting Feeding America, The Art of Elysium, Hope North and H.E.L.P. Malawi charities. We caught up with Lisa Converse, SVP of Design at White House | Black Market, to discuss the evolution of the White House Inaugural Collection. Converse said the design team wanted the gowns to embody "classics with a twist" and "intellectual sex appeal", both attributes they see in Mrs. O's signature style.
Eight designs were narrowed to four, each chosen for its reference to a past era. Converse named The Abigail as her favorite dress for its chiffon layers and contemporary asthetic, but thought the elegant, one-shoulder Ladybird might best suit Mrs. O's style. The Clothes Off Our Back auction ends later tonight (and if it's anything like a typical Ebay auction, we're sure there's an 11th hour bidding war on the brew). With the prize of couture for a cause at stake, it will be a bidding frenzy well-deserved.
Reader Comments (10)
I think Mrs. O would look great in The Ladybird dress. It demands respect, carries a sense of authority and is sensual all rolled into one.
To see what Mrs. O looks like in a lovely black formal, follow this link to Huffington Post. There are 4 photos, some we have seen before, but the black one with an amazing necklace is new to me. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/15/michelle-obama-all-dolled_n_157639.html
I am w/ you Deborah-Rene.
Mrs O would look so modern and chic in the Ladybird.
Her height and frame can carry off a gown like that - she would cut an elegant, glamerous figure at all the I-galas.
The color would look so dramatic against her gleaming skin.
WOW.
there is no way we are going to know what she will wear until each event. It is probably the best kept secret in Washington. The only thing we know for sure is that she will look fabulous. I wonder if she will wear the low heel she generally favors. She'll be on her feet all day and night!
What a much-needed, "feel good" story, and great tie-in to Mrs. O. I applaud White House/Black Market for the idea and charitable gesture. Favorite of the four designs is The Ladybird, although all are lovely. Can't wait to see the auction results with the charities in mind. Inaugural excitement continues to build!
The Ladybird seems to be the favorite. Among this crowd but also bidders. I love it too. I saw it's up to 17 bids with an hour to go.
RJT - I had missed your comments. Glad to have you back!
Great Idea! It would have been nice to produce an outfit or two (not formal but more like for the swearing in ceremony) that your average woman (economy wise and something more than a size 8) could afford with a portion of those proceeds going to the same charity. I like the LadyBird too.
I'm for the LadyBird as well. They're all gorgeous, though. So elegant!
I've never owned anything from White House | Black Market but I've always loved them, and this is why!
Kristan
http://jbu.phuzzymath.net/
First in the world Mrs.O !
http://www.myspace.com/davidbouns