Upcoming Mrs. O Book Event
Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 11:00 AM 
Illustration of the First Lady in a Peter Soronen Twilight Gown by Mia Overgaard
Update: Just a quick reminder about our book signing event at Bloomingdale's in NYC - tomorrow!
I'm delighted to announce an upcoming book event for "Mrs. O: The Face of Fashion Democracy" in New York City. On Friday, December 4, I'll be joined by designer Peter Soronen at Bloomingdale's on 59th St. to sign books. (There will be copies of the book for sale on site.)
I would love the chance to meet and chat with more of you. And of course, it will be a wonderful opportunity to meet Mr. Soronen and admire his beautiful work.
As many of you know, Peter Soronen is behind many of the first lady's most glamorous looks. The Twilight Gown worn to the Governors Ball in February (show in the illustration above) and this stunning red corset dress, worn for the Alfalfa Club dinner in late January, are personal favorites. "Mrs. O: The Face of Fashion Democracy" includes photographs of these beautiful dresses, as well as a two-page interview with Peter Soronen, providing insight into his career development and design perspective. Hope you can make it!
What: "Mrs. O: The Face of Fashion Democracy" book signing with Mrs. T and Peter Soronen
When: Friday, December 4 @ 6PM
Where: Bloomingdale's 59th St., New York City (Designer Collections, on 4th Fl.)
Reader Comments (35)
Wish I could be there. Will you be coming to Detroit?
Should I RSVP?
Would love to come to this event.
Mrs. T - I am so sad. I am back in the Caribbean and I will be missing this book signing. I received my book the day I left the USA (Nov 7) after a 31/2 month stay. I am still enjoying the book. Wish I could have met you and some of the other commenters to this blog. So Sad!!!! I could just weep.
Mrs. T,
I hope to be there!
If I made a personal Top 5 of Mrs. O's looks, the Twilight Gown would be right there --- possibly only second to the Moschino shirt dress, which has particular sentiment for me as it's when I first became active in following Mrs. O's fashion.
And big congratulations on the book signing, with Peter Soronen present (!), Mrs. T!
Ditto, Trinisamba.
I would love to have been there. I often visit family and friends in New York this time of year but sadly already made alternative arrangements for Christmas shopping. I love my copy of Mrs O and have ordered further copies to give ot friends as presents this season.
Have fun Mrs T. I hope you get a good turnout and I hope the evening is fun filled.
Sounds so fun! And I LOVE this drawing!
Mrs.T- I'd love to have my copy of your book signed so, if your schedule of events ever bring you to the San Franciso Bay area (with or without a designer). I'd love to participate. In the meantime, I wish you much success and nothing but the very best for this site and for all your hard work on the book.
This sounds like a very exciting event and I hope that you, Mrs. T, and whoever else can make it will have a wonderful time
I don't want to start a row here, and I want to say this as gently as I can. But, I'm wondering why Mia Overgaard chose to show Mrs. O with white skin. Although I am white, I think colored skin is more attractive than white skin, and I feel a little offended that Ms. Overgaard did not show Mrs. O's skin to be more like her actual, beautiful color.
Mrs T,
Just returned to blog after a couple of days. The invitation is like a dream come true.
Unfortunately I can't make it to N.Y. This is so coincidental, 2 close relatives whom
I have not seen for years, invited me to huge invents there next week which I had to
turn down. Must be my lucky numbers (smile). I am sorry I cannot get to meet you and
get a book signed as this gown was my first favourite outstanding gown, on Mrs. O
in her early days as First Lady, I cannot forget that dress along with the bib necklace.
Best with the book signing. Hope many Mrs. O followers attend the book signing.
Continued success on the book sales.
Now that I know about such events, I will try my best to make the next one
as I am a few hrs away from there.
Willow, I think it's a sketch-line drawing though. Maybe I'm wrong.
@ nicolet - no need to RSVP. Hope you can make it!
Sadly, I believe this is going to be my last book event of the year. There's a chance I may be able to pull one together in D.C. before the holidays, fingers crossed! I'm also trying to coordinate signed book plates, which would be offered on the site in the next week or so. Will keep everyone posted!
Willow,
I remember an old saying that said our race comes in bright, light, and damn near white.
I am an AA woman and I did not look at this drawing and think for a moment that she was being depicted with white skin. In the many hundreds of photographs I have seen of Mrs. O--due to different lighting, etc.-- have shown many different nuances in her skin tone, but in not a single one have I ever thought that any attempt, overt or otherwise, was she being portrayed as a white woman.
All skintones are beautiful to me. Especially when it radiates with warmth and kindness from the soul within and that is the secret of Michelle's true beauty.
Mrs. T, congrats on your upcoming book signing. I'm sending you best wishes and much success next Friday. Also, while you're there get in a little Bloomies shopping, why don't ya! You deserve it. I'm echoeing 'freeismylife', if you're ever in Detroit we'll be there with bells on!
LIFE IS HARD...
...And then you die! So not fair that I'm in another part of the world while you're having this, but I'm excited for you Mrs.T. I will share this event with some friends and see if they can at least get an autographed copy of the book for me.
Also, I am really liking this illustration, particularly the artist's ability to capture Mrs.O's gait so realistically...SUPER!
Congratulations! Please let us know if you will be showing up for other events in other locations.
I believe Mia Overgaard also did the wonderful illustration of Mrs. O that is to the right (the Mrs. O Book) - no mistaking her race there. I actually did not for a second think this was a drawing of a white woman. It looks like atercolor to me.
I will be there! And Mr. Fanatic is nearly as excited as I am, so he will be too. Looking forward!
Mrs. T - will you be able to sign books that were not purchased at Bloomies that evening? If not, I'll leave mine at home in San Francisco.
Mrs.T,
Wishing you a successful book signing. I wish I could go. I love the book and look forward to volume II through VIII. :)
You have a link to the red corset dress in the article above. I know Peter Soronen talked about it in your book. I would love to see it from the front. Of course Mrs.O looks fantastic as usual. If the White House did not release a picture of Mrs.O in this dress, could Peter give you sketches or an illustration of how the dress looked from the front?
Thanks,
Ann_T
@canyongal, the cover illustration was actually done by a different illustrator, Ben Wiseman. He is a young graduate from Parsons. He also did the sketches of the designers, which accompany their respective Q&As in the book.
@operafanatic, I think it should be fine to bring your book, even if not purchased at Bloomingdales. I look forward to meeting you!
@Ann_T, I think there may be hope that since the gown wasn't photographed (save for the lone back view), that it may be worn again down the road. I will try to get the scoop on what the front looked like though. :o)
Thanks Mrs. T - you should know a few sites attribute the drawing to Ms. Overgaard! Maybe you could put Mr. Parson's name below it on this site to give credit to the artist.
Iorns & Asereht, thanks for your comments. I appreciate your thoughts, which help me feel better about it.
Willow, I here you.
@ Mrs. T I would love to attend the event, but I'm not a fan of Bloomies especially with how they treat some of their customers (personal experience). Hopefully one day there will be a book signing at B&N :)
@ Willow I think Mrs. O complexion photographs in array of beautiful shades, so I assume the artist created the masterpiece as it is perceived in his eyes for that moment.
Now for me on the other hand, I'm dark as the darkest night :) I photograph the same all year round lol.
IF POSSIBLE PEOPLE WHO ARE FAN OF MS T SHOULD ATTEND THIS EVENT I WENT TO THE ONE SHE HAD ON NOV 11 IT WAS GREAT I ENJOYED MEETING MS T AND GETTING MY BOOK SIGNED
THIS IS WELL WORTH IT.
Any plans to do a book signing in DC?
Unfortunately, I have plans for Friday night. Would love to attend but getting from downtown, midtown and back to Penn Station is a lot for a Friday night especially when I need to be in Jersey by 8:00 p.m.
Wishing you much success with your book!
Does anyone know where you can see the stunning red corset dress that Mrs.O wore to the Alfalfa Club dinner from the front . I've searched everywhere can I can only find images of the back of the dress. Peter Soronen doesn't even have it on his website! Well there is one that might be it but the back of the dress is different.
Sorry!!!! Can't make it. This is such short notice and besides I can't afford to miss a day at work. I really need to make money so that I can buy MORE CLOTHES!! I do have your FAB BOOK!!!!! Am looking forward to the next THREE books that you WILL hopefully publish!! See 'ya!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love this drawing of the First Lady. Is there anyway I can order a print of this drawing to frame and hang in my dressing room?
Mrs T,
I love this drawing of the First Lady. Is there any way I can order a print to frame and hang in my dressing room?
Dear msmoe,
I'm pleased to hear you like the drawing! I'm inquiring if it's available for purchase as a print and will let me know. Please shoot me a note at contact@mrs-o.org so that I have your details.
Thanks!
Mary T.
Thank you Mrs T
Hi Mary,
It was a pleasure to meet you and Peter Friday at the book signing!!! I was so excited I forgot to get a picture with you guys.....Thanks again.
Oh I'm the lady that flew in from DC with my daughter and had 3 books for you to sign!! Oh and I cant wait to give out the books for gifts!!!!
Stephanie