Thursday
Oct292009
A Question and a Mrs. O Book!
Thursday, October 29, 2009 at 7:42 PM We're giving away three signed copies of the Mrs. O book! Is there anything you'd like to know about the book, the designer interviews or the overall process? Please ask away!
We'll answer as many questions as we can and send a copy of the book to our 3 favorites. We'll take questions through Saturday at 12PM EST. Whee!
Update: Thanks for submitting your questions! We're going to make an effort to answer them all, though it may take a few days and a series of posts. At the conclusion, the winners will be announced. Whee!
Reader Comments (86)
Do you realize the impact that your sites, both here and on Facebook, have done to contribute to the esteem of African-American women, of Michelle Obama's age, who, have never, in this culture, been able to fully think of themselves as "beautiful"? I would love to win the book, but that in itself has been enough...Thank you.
Love your blog and check it religiously...
When did you first start tracking Mrs. O's style and what attracted your attention? Was it really her fashion or her position as the candidate'e wife?
I am so inspired by Mrs. O and your blog is great. Do you think Mrs. O used fashion as a way to counter the way detractors were trying to paint her as an angry black woman early in the campaign? Congratulations on the book and can't wait to see what she wears to the Nobel ceremony!
As in many industries, minorities have faced an uphill battle for equal representation in fashion circles. How much of an impact would you say Mrs. Obama has had on uplifting the status and visibility of minorities in this highly competitive and totally image-conscious industry?
Great blog. I always come here any time I hear that Mrs. O has made a public appearance.
Questions:
1. Is there a chapter, image, or segment of the book that you decided not to include in the final publication, and why? Do you regret this, are you relieved, or is it simply too early to tell?
2. Did your research uncover a definitive reason for Mrs. O's fascination with belts?
Congratulations on the book. It looks wonderful.
Were the designers able to really give their opinions/insights or did you need to supple them a bit? I ask this because I'm guessing they'd be protective of their working relationship with the First Lady and would be leery of crossing the line by being too candid.
John, you raise some bold and interesting points. I kind of want you to amplify on what you have said...on the other hand, it is sort of like a box and I'm too nervous to lift the lid and peek inside. Pandora's box, maybe?
Lisa, so funny with the bracelet! If someone got a batch of Lance Armstrong "Livestrong" style bracelets made with "WWMW," she could make a fortune selling them! Add that to my Christmas list! Now, what color should the bracelets be...purple?
I love the blog and following Mrs. O's fashions as she so graciously carries out her duties as FIrst Lady. One of the things I like about us women is that we can focus on things like fashion and style and yet also be concerned with issues like health care reform and the war in Afghanistan--we can multi-task!!
Great questions have been posted; mine is more rhetorical: Can you do anything to make Mrs. O get rid of the black belt she always wears? Of all her looks it is the only one that makes me cringe!
What is Mrs. O favorite outfit? Does Mrs. O dress according to her mood?
Why now? Did you consider waiting until after the first term, or the second if one happens? Do you plan to do follow-ups?
What I love about Mrs. O is her personal authenticity...her confident, exuberant choice in clothing seem to reflect her genuine warmth and comfort in her own skin. Michelle is a woman of many faces (not only that of fashion democracy!) and that comes out in the diversity of her wardrobe choices. Do you explore the intriguing intersection between Mrs. O's personality and wardrobe in your book?
Your blog is the first I visit every day. Thanks for a wonderful site. Regarding the book, can you explain what went into the selection of the outfits you choose and why some "made the cut" and others did not? Also can you help us to better understand why we are all so taken with Mrs. O?? I wonder if one of the reasons is b/c she is real woman with a real figure and she dresses to accentuate the positive. I have learned so much from her about making the most of my own assets. I dress entirely different now!!!
Having worked with Maria Pinto this summer, I have a very unique perspective on fashion, Maria's designs and I've gotten up close and personal with some of the styles worn by Mrs. O. I have several questions that I would love to ask, but here are a few:
1. There is obviously a comparison being drawn to Jackie O. when examining Michelle Obama's powerful global image. I would like to know what kind of affects you think the current First Lady is having on the world as a Black fashion icon? What kind of statements do you think she makes as a woman of color, in particular?
2. What is the major political barrier you think Mrs. O can break using her keen attention to style and presentation?
3. What would you say is Michelle Obama's major silhouette? Does she have one signature piece?
4. How does how stature affect the fashion world? Does her height affect the way she is viewed?
5. Will her fashion influence carry over even when her husband is not the president?
What was the reaction from the East Wing to the book? Did they know about it and/or cooperate?
Thank you Mary T for this fun and informative blog and congratulations on the book which I look forward to reading.
I am a handbag person and I miss seeing handbags as part of her ensembles. Has Michelle ever been photographed with a handbag? What textures, shapes, lengths, colors of bags do you think she would choose (or maybe does choose but are held off camera)?
How do you think this book will change the way mature women will see themselves? Is this book more than just an observance of good style?
I love Mr. O and your blog!
1) When did you realize that you love Michelle Obamas style?! Which outfit did she wear?
2) Which web shop would you recommend who sells dresses and outfits who reminds of Michelle Obamas style?
3) Do you know which outfit Jason Wu likes most on Michelle Obama? (I love his clothes on her)
4) Do you know what designers like Karl Lagerfeld thinks about Michelle Obamas style?
5) Do you think Michelle Obama could have been a designer?
I almost had a panic attack when I discovered your blog. OMG. How awesome and wonderful. It’s the best break of my day. GOOD JOB! Everyone is obsessed with Mrs. Obama and what she wears. The First Family has done a great job keeping their children out of the spotlight, but in your research for this must have collectors book, did you every once hear her daughters express their dislike for a design? Children are very honest with their mothers.
When sizing up Michelle Obama's attributes, how do you assess what designs and fabric are complimentary to her body or appearance?
If you could choose one outfit from the book that you can picture both Mrs. O and Jackie O. wearing and looking fabulous in, which one would it be?
Were there certain clothes or looks that you thought expressed a subtle political signal or emotion (like a more low key version of Madeleine Albright's famous brooches)?
How rewarding to you is it to walk down the street and see how Mrs. O's influence is extending to the general public? I know I love it when I see someone wearing embellishment in the daytime, which she has helped popularize. Thanks!!
Did you know about this at the Textile Museum in Washington DC?
PANEL DISCUSSION
From Switzerland to the White House:
The Story Behind the Inauguration Dress
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 5:30 PM
Hear firsthand about the Lemongrass Coat and Dress worn by First Lady Michelle Obama on Inauguration Day. Panelists include the designer, Isabel Toledo; her husband, artist Ruben Toledo; and Hans Schreiber, creative director of the Swiss-based fabric manufacturer Forster Rohner. The panel will be moderated by Robin Givhan, The Washington Post's fashion editor and winner of the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for Criticism. A light reception featuring Swiss wine and chocolate follows the talks. Fee: $25/Textile Museum members; $45/non-members. Advance registration required; space is limited. Call (202) 667-0441, ext. 64 to register. This program is co-sponsored by the Embassy of Switzerland
Whose idea was it to shorten the name to Mrs. O?
Love your site - I read it every day because it makes me happy. My question: in your book, do you discuss the worldwide implications of certain outfits? ie, when she "sends a message" thru her clothing choices. This has intrigued me and is something I think the mainstream media misses when discussing her clothes. I've noticed this website picks up on it alot!
Thanks for all you do .I feel so lucky to have had your website to view this last year.
I hope it's not too late to submit my question. Please, what is the story behind the outfit Michelle Obama chose to wear for Barack Obama's Inauguration? And why that color?
Why do you think Michelle Obama has influenced women to step up their fashion sense to become more stylish and have fun with their own wardrobes?
What was the most fun you had in putting together this amazing book? Will your book eventually turn into a series as Mrs. O's time in the White House continues? There will be much more in the future and I'm sure plenty more material for you to cover.
How has fashion changed due to Mrs. Obama's influence on it?
Love your blog and looking forward to reading the book!
1) I read somewhere that you first got interested in Mrs. O and her style when you saw at the democratic convention in 2004. What was it about that appearance that made such a strong impression on you?
2) Now that you have completed the process of publishing the book, what would you have differently?
This is a fill in the blank kind of question. "Now that I've finished the book, I was suprised to find that I have a deeper appreciation for ________________________. I was not prepared for that".
What was your "Aha' moment in deciding to write this book? Was Michelle present and if so what was she doing, wearing at the time?
My question: Mrs. O is a wonderfully charismatic fashion icon. After the Obama's are out of office, and when fashion historians look back, I wonder which outfit will be generally considered as the example of poor fashion judgement. (e.g. I'm thinking of Princess Diana's wedding dress: most people loved it at the time of her wedding, but 10 years later, it's described as an overinflated marshmallow).
I suppose I am interested in what you think the greater implications of Mrs. Obama's iconic fashion style are (and, more importantly, our fascination with her fashion)? What does it do for a nation to have a first lady whom so many admire, and what part does fashion play in that?
@ nakajima
interesting question care to elaborate a bit more?
@ rose in SV.
As the daughter of a seamstress who specialized in wedding dresses, I spent a lot of time as a child, pinning and hemming and pressing and helping with fittings. I am a great admirer of Princess Diana, and visit Althorp almost every August, but I thought her wedding dress was the ugliest thing I had ever seen, almost an omen to me. I remember thinking to myself that there was no way that that 18 year old beauty could have chosen that dress herself, it had to have been forced on her as appropriate. Now I know that there is someone out there who disagrees, but my opinion is firm.
Has Mrs.O's style evolved from the time she's become first lady, if so, how was it incorporated into the book?