Shaping Young Minds (and Style)
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 1:49 PM 
White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
First Lady Mrs. O made an appearance at Howard University today, speaking to a sold out auditorium of 250 students. As part of an event billed "Home, Work, Community: The Role of the African American Women As Change Agents," the First Lady touched on one of the issues she has professed to care most about - work and family balance.
"...and the one thing -- the one message that I have is for all of you struggling with this issue, is just remember there is no right answer. It took me a long time to figure that out. There is no one right way to do any of this. And the choices and the decisions will change, given your circumstances...."
For the event, First Lady Mrs. O was elegantly dressed in a scarlet red sheath dress. We've confirmed this is the Vonda dress from Chicago designer Maria Pinto's Fall 09 collection. To read Mrs. O's full remarks, click here.
Maria Pinto in Outfits
Reader Comments (46)
my friend and I just had a conversation about this, she goes to Howard med school, and she got to hug and talk to the first lady, and she told me she looked great! Im excited to see pictures!
Jake Tapper has posted the video of her talk on his site:
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/02/michelle-obam-2.html
Yay! Maria Pinto!
Well, that's one mystery solved. I know there were many questions and theories about the relative absence of Pinto designs in Mrs. O's recent wardrobe choices. I think it's likely that Mrs. O always wears a wide variety of designers, even though she chose Maria Pinto for several high-profile events. Now that she is photographed almost every day, this variety just made it seem like Maria Pinto was being excluded.
Even without having seen the rest of it, the top of this dress is so flattering that I would put it right up there with the blue Proenza Schouler dress from Sunday and the black dress she wore to see Alvin Ailey--in terms of my favorite Post-Inauguration looks.
This link was posted on the Vogue thread but I had missed it until just now, so in case others ALSO missed it, here is an excerpt of the article about Mrs. O in Vogue next month. http://www.style.com/vogue/feature/2009_March_Michelle_Obama/
It is a LOVELY piece, written by Andre Leon Talley.
There is also a slideshow of some of the pictures that will be inside, one of which is Mrs. O standing by a window, in a very simple dress, showing off her amazing curves.
I can't wait to get my hands on this issue!
There are some photos surfacing on the White House blog:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog_post/growing_up/
Another great look!
I'm glad Maria Pinto is finally getting some White House-era time. With HartMarx filing for Chapter 11 and all, Michelle can help give a bounce to Chicago fashion like she has for J.Crew: http://is.gd/inRM
I was excited to see another Maria Pinto dress as well. Love the rich red hue paired with a single strand of pearls - it just has a great graphic effect. Vaguely reminded me of the look from the 3rd debate (cerulean blue dress paired with pearls a trio of brooches). Hoping a full length photo will surface!
you know, at first, I was totally IN LOVE with the Annie pictures of Mrs O because of the initial excitement of finally seeing the much anticipated Vogue Cover...but after great study today, I have to admit, im very underwhelmed and very disappointed by the pictures!
[and this is all to the fault of Ms. Annie, the photographer, her last name is not coming to me]
I mean you have one of the most compelling, beautiful, inspirational woman there is probably in the world today as your subject, and the pictures are very underwhelming!
the pics she took of Mrs. O in the Paris mag (don't know the name) were fabulous, but these were definitely NOT the work of a master photographer....
Mrs. O did her part, showed up looking great in all her outfits, but the photographer clearly left her skills at home
[sorry for the harshness, but at this point, if you are give an opportunity to work with either Obamas, you better be bringing your A game, because you know they will be!]
hopefully the rest of the spread is better!
Layo G., you make an interesting point. In terms of photographers, Annie Leibovitz is about as major as they come. It doesn't make her infallible, but I wonder if it's really an issue of concept that you're reacting to?
The first round of Annie Leibovitz / Mrs. O photographs from 2007 were, without question, much more dramatic and extravagant. I wonder if this time around Vogue or perhaps Mrs. O wanted to capture something closer to her "real" life image? For me, that's the part that may seem underwhelming - though honestly, I am loving the interior photos.
Anyway, it's an interesting observation and debate.
For those not familiar, here are links to the Annie Leibovitz photographs taken in 2007:
http://www.mrs-o.org/?p=1282
http://media3.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2008/05/16/PH2008051603364.jpg
http://flickr.com/photos/29498869@N07/3269765764/
Also, for J.Crew fans, this is a great new article just published in the New York Observer:
http://www.observer.com/2009/o2/style-queen-age-obama?page=0%2C2
I had that debate with myself as well, and Leon Talley said as much, but you can make ordinary not look so blah....
I don't know, im just underwhelmed, if anything, I would have loved some of the interior pics I have been seeing on the cover, as opposed to the one she chose...but I will be anticipating the Vogue issue non-the-less
I think it was most important that Mrs. O come off (in her Vogue pictures) as accessible and not too TOO...if you know what I mean. If it had been artistic like the other Vogue picture, that may have been too sophisticated for some. If it had been to fierce modelish - then she would've looked too inaccessible. If she had been looking very trendy - then she'd be out of touch with our current economic woes.
This is fresh, simple and a little flirty. I liked it a lot.
But I hear you...it's not fierce like we know it could've been.
Did anyone catch this article? It has really rubbed me the wrong way. Need to think further about why exactly. Let's discuss.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/fashion/12IKRAM.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
Mrs. T, I think it's a rare "inside look" at how the world of fashion works. That it's all about deals, who-knows-whom, and who someone like Mrs. O trusts to help her maintain the image she has carefully developed.
To me, it's clear why she's chosen Ikram. She probably, way back, started shopping there. Her style has undoubtedly become more refined for having Ikram's guidance, so Michelle trusts her implicitly. As with any personal consultant, Ikram probably brings exclusives to her, and even gets her a good deal (or customization, as the article points out) from time to time. And all Michelle has to do is keep going back to her. As someone pressed for time, I cannot blame her for that (I have the same relationship with my jeweler, who happens to also be my neighbor).
Now, what *does* strike me as odd -- and it's nice to receive confirmation of it after guessing it was the case -- is the utter lack of access that designers have. I have to agree with Mr. Scaasi; the Jason Wu dress on inauguration night could have been MUCH better fit to her. There were so many glaring problems with fit and function, it was hard to imagine any experienced designer allowing her to walk out the door in that dress. When I heard he made it from measurements only and didn't do a final fitting, I knew why.
I don't have a problem with Mrs. O "concentrating her business in one place." If that's what she wants to do, and that's what makes life simpler for her, so be it. She has her own style and she should be allowed to wear the same clothing designer every single day if she wants to. Here, I think it's a level of *expectation* that Michelle is going to give everyone a chance to dress her. And she is under absolutely NO compulsion to do that.
She should be able to choose what she wants to wear, no matter what store she bought it from. It's not like dressing the First Lady is another government contract (which, for those that don't know, requires multiple bids from competing providers).
Just my 2 cents.
I'm watching ccn ac360 and they showed a clip of the first couple at a abe lincoln event and shes wearing a blk n white pattern dress, sleeveless , flairs out at the waist, super cute from the quick clip
Dee, I'm watching AC360 and I saw the dress, hot! hot! hot!. We need pic ASAP.
I don't really know what the article is supposed to mean - it just kind of seems catty and petty.
It's to be expected, though.
In terms of designers lack of access - I think the Obamas are really cautious. The media has a serious love/hate thing with them, and I'm sure when it comes to getting intimately close to them, they want to keep their world small. Plus, trust is huge, and in terms of styling, Mrs. O is probably reluctant to go with the usual suspects and lose her authenticity.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. She'll learn, and I can imagine that for serious events, she'll probably plan her outfits better than she did for the inauguration. I think she really was spontaneous, and I think part of that is her settling into her new high-profile role, and thinking she can just wear something and if it's not perfect, it's no big deal. Now she'll see that it is.
I really don't know how Mr and Mrs. O are going to maintain that precious normalcy that is so endearing about them under these circumstances. I just hope they don't become so untouchable like many of our Presidents and their wives end up becoming.
Lovely, but I think she needs a bit more color in her lipstick.
It's not the best photo, but here you go:
http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20090212/capt.b4fee0c4e17c489998e3847cafa90b14.obama_dcev108.jpg
@Mrs. T.: that is a strange article. who cares if she has a boutique owner take clothing orders for her and make suggestions? it sounds like she's basically continuing to shop at ikram but now doing it long distance. it seems those that are upset by this arrangement are the more traditional designers who aren't getting the call to make her clothes; though it seems to me that she'd also get criticized by some if she was constantly summoning designers to the white house. what bothers me though, is that this article seems like a bit of an attempt to do to mrs. obama, what folks did to nancy reagan; the tone seems to be making quite a few inferences about the appropriateness of her spending etc. and trying to make something nefarious out of it. for example, they make a point of saying that the goldman's donated to the obama campaign (i imagine a lot of the first couple's friends did), or that she wears labels stocked by ikram (how is that different than shopping at the store?); the whole thing just makes very little sense.
IVA, it sounds over all like sore feelings, the older designers maybe a little miffed because their used to being the go to, Maria Pint though she made no comment most likely too. Look imo it dosent matter which avenue she takes to purchase her clothes as long as shes getting what she likes and feels comfortable in.
The funny thing is , is the serious tone of this article, as though they broke Watergate. Its just fashion RELAXXXXX! lol
you can't please everybody, I guess. It's about what feels right for her- that's the bottom line
It all boils down to this: if Michele is every woman and they are populist leaders, why do they have a gatekeeper for something like clothing? Is it because their image is fake or because it's just easier for them?
@jo: what do you expect her to do, head out and cruise the mall with her secret service guys? it sounds like she's basically distance shopping from the same store she used to, instead of summoning designers; it's not much different than ordering from a catalog or look book. all first ladies have taken fashion advice from somewhere, she just happens to take it from the lady who owns the store where she shops back home.
That is an...interesting article. I think that Michelle Obama, perhaps more than other first ladies in the past, comes to her position with a way of operating when it comes to how she wants to present herself to the world. This is not to knock any other first ladies! But I think that they were perhaps seen as more "moldable" to the likes of Oscar de la Renta and similar BIG name designers.
Mrs. Obama comes to the position already used to being "styled," with some strong opinions of how she'd like to present herself, and a retailer/friend whose judgment she already trusts. That's not a bad thing, it's just going to seem very different, compared perhaps to what has gone on before with first ladies.
My feeling is, God willing, we have four years to see Mrs. O. I have no problem with her wearing big names like Carolina Herrera and Oscar de la R, I have no problem with her wearing "small" names like Isabel Toledo. She can't wear every outfit by every designer all at once.
As for the Vogue shots, though I'm disappointed with the cover picture, I think it's appropriate in these times for Michelle to look less glam and more approachable. This is probably not the time for a first lady to look like a queen lording over her subjects...though she could probably pull it off!
Michelle at the re-opening of Ford's Theater
http://d.yimg.com/a/p/rids/20090212/i/r36853416.jpg?x=235&y=345&q=85&sig=s5wsXs4bpI1Dp34bOyKRqg--
http://d.yimg.com/a/p/rids/20090212/i/r2194737219.jpg?x=232&y=345&q=85&sig=oUMYPpierFbb7v5vp3BIeg--
The whole Ford's Theater slideshow including Michelle, Barack and others:
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Ford-Theatre-reopens-Lincoln-bicentennial/ss/events/en/021209fordtheatre
The allegations of impropriety on the part of Ikram and Mrs O are kinda nasty and coming from a weird place.
She will do things her way- why the comparisons to Nancy Reagan and other first ladies? Each first lady brings their individuality and unique style to the role. This is what keeps things interesting!
I could not get through all of that NYT article... I stopped around the time that a designer was complaining about the "many designers in the world, including me, that she could choose from."
I am rather amazed that a professional journalist would choose such an inane angle for a story that could have been so interesting.
It IS interesting that Michelle has a close style relationship with Ikram Goldman (who by the way is VERRRY foxy. This was the first time I had ever seen her picture. If I was ever going to have a chic style guide, I now have to find one that really looks the part, like Ms Goldman does!). Anyway, we've got a case of someone who obviously has a close friendship with Michelle, who she obviously trusts implicitly AND who who runs this extremely well-curated store. It seems not only natural, but practical that Michelle is going to go Ikram for this important work! Why hire a stylist who might blab to magazines about what you are wearing--when you could instead rely on an old friend? Why NOT rely on this friend, if they are the one who really understands what you like?
I really find their complaints insane. I think it's a case of this journalist really wanting a "story" that had more drama than the very straightforward view of these two stylish women being friends and collaborating on a look.
I just found this website - this is a lovely blog! Classy and pleasant.
How come nothing from Wednesday's night's gala at the Ford Theater? Yahoo.com has entire photo gallery. Mrs. O wearing a short black-and-white plaid dress. Don't you like the dress?
Mrs. T,
Don't quite know what to make of the NYTimes article...
Chockful of innuendo; At once suggesting an unsavory stranglehold and possible exploitation/manipulation by Ikram Goldman; and Michelle Obama's seeming inability to craft her own style independent of this "guru" type boutique owner...
It evokes all sorts of emotions mostly not so good-
There is the obvious pettiness echoed by many of the "snubbed" designers and even a measure of discontent and fear from those currently benefiting from Ikram's access to the first lady-
This must be a dilemma of sorts for the first lady.
The Obama's situation is unprecedented...There are so many who love them but as many who would do them grave harm in any form given the chance.
So the obvious need to balance privacy and security issues with her desire to acommodate as many designers as she can is pivotal.
This not so well meaning article reiterates the need for Mrs Obama to keep her clothing sources streamlined and out of the limelight: There are those waiting to pounce on any mistep and any of these designers, even with the most limited access, could inevitably do some damage through gossip leaks etc.
Michelle Obama is a very striking and uncommonly beautiful woman and I, like a few others here think this vogue cover simply did not capture her essence...It simply did not do her justice and I'm very disappointed.
It'd be nice to see her sometime in Diane Von Furstenberg...
Established designer, but clearly a classy lady and very supportive-
I haven't read the article but judging from the comments here I would say that it's simply A.N.Writer taking a pop at the current Big Positive News Story. Journalists, it strikes me, have a goldfish attention span and it's been, what, three weeks since Barack Obama took office? It's about time that the first few slightly tinged articles should appear. After all, if the journo's didn't keep us hooked on their rubbish, we wouldn't buy it, they'd be out of a job. Ahem.
So, it's been three weeks and now its time to stop admiring Mrs O and start scrabbling around to try and find a flaw.
So original. *said with deadpan face*
Fact remains that to anyone with an inquiring and intelligent mind, we get who Mrs O is. It's the muppets who rush out and buy each weekly gossip comic who will be sitting in the office going "ohhhh noooooo" and thinking that this is "True".
Earlier today that I noticed an article on Times Online that was ever so slightly less than positive - very subtle - about Michelle. It's just that downswing. And rather sad and pathetic. I always hope that these writers will have the courage to focus on what matters - there's a lot of great stuff to write about instead of blurring the important issues.
Anywayyyy, so Michelle apparently relies on Ikram to help her choose great clothes that befit her role as First Lady. And previously, while she was a busy working mum. Most good boutiques do this. ALL good boutiques do this. They get to know you, let you know when things are in that you might like, suggest shapes that you might not have picked that actually look great on you. This isn't NEWS, it's scandalmongering where there is no scandal. Why aren't these writers busy tracking down criminals and fraudsters if they're so great at tracking down "information"??
Sigh.
Sorry. Rant over. Gah.
The first lady at the Lincoln event at the Ford theater. Her close-up (2nd link) reveals her beautiful and perfect close-up...lovely and fresh!
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Ford-Theatre-reopens-Lincoln-bicentennial/ss/events/en/021209fordtheatre#photoViewer=/090212/ids_photos_ts/r36853416.jpg
http://asp.usatoday.com/_common/_scripts/big_picture.aspx?width=490&height=742&storyURL=/life/people/2009-02-11-fords-theatre_N.htm&imageURL=http://i.usatoday.net/life/_photos/2009/02/12/fordsx-large.jpg
Having read that article, I guess I'm surprised at how negatively people seem to be taking it. I didn't see it as scandal-mongering at all, but then maybe that's because I see Mrs. O as human (i.e., fallible) rather than some celebrity who is perfect and can do no wrong. I think we do her a disserve by expecting that of her, but that's just me.
Really, the article was less about trying to "find dirt" on Ikram or the First Lady, and more about how a lot of designers want to get a chance to dress her. I guess I don't see what's wrong with that. It even points out that Ikram calls designers that Mrs. O likes, even though they aren't featured in her shop.
Aren't we supposed to read these things and then form our own opinions, as opposed to taking every written/published word as unerring fact?
Chicagoan, I concur with your anlaysis of the article. I especially agree with "...form our own opinions".
The perspectives on the article are great. I appreciate that good journalism should interrogate multiple angles of a story. And Cathy Horyn's writing, in particular, I regularly enjoy.
I guess I just sensed, and had distaste for, what seemed to be the making of a faux controversy - something I'm quite tired of.
I think I can understand the POV of both Mrs. T and Chicagoan. I felt some distaste for the "what about meeeee???" perspective from some of the designers. But, I also understand that with Mrs. O, we have fashion being actual news.
I think we want Mrs. O to be all things to all people. I think she's great, but I don't love every outfit, and she's not going to wear every designer I'd like her to wear, and she's not going to make every choice that I would make in her position. But I still think she's wonderful and "real," and that's pretty cool.
I finally read the NYT article and I didn't find it negative in the least. I think if anything it illustrates that per usual Mrs O is setting her own agenda, this time as to how she is going to procure her WH clothing. Mrs O most likely does not have the time to consult w/ designers or have measurements taken for every outfit she is going to wear. She obviously trusts Ikram, and Ikram in turn is promoting less known, more fashion forward designers - it sounds like a win-win to me for everyone.
As for the Vogue photos, yes they are not as 'glam' as previous photo spreads we have seen in other glossies - but lets keep in perspective that those photographs were shot before the economy became so dire, and before Mrs O was First Lady.
I think a level of reality and substance as seen in the latest Vogue shoot, is appropriate for the times and for her position.
Obvious, opulent glamor could have created an image of insensitivity to the millions enduring hardship at the moment or lofty imperiousness.
I think the photos are terrific. The poses, the clothing all convey a down-to-earth working mother w/ great style ( and a great figure) who is successful and just happens to be the First Lady. And I sincerely think the photo of Mrs O lying on the sofa working, in that J Crew ensemble is killer! The outfit is super fashionable and the she looks so modern, confident and full of intent and purpose.
Its funny after looking at unposed photos and opposed to posed photos I believe my suspicions are right. Mrs O has such a gorgeous natural smile...she absolutely radiates. The photos in this article are proof of that. She is such a natural beauty Im jealous! Yet when shes posing she comes off a little uncomfortable. And thats totally understandable! Shes a mother and hard working woman...not a model (although shes gorgeous enough to be one) so shes not used to posing for cameras. Yet when shes just being natural she absolutely beams. Im sure as time goes on and she gets more used to being in front of cameras, we'll start to see her natural smile come through in her photos.
I just got my Mrs. O shirt! It's gorgeous! Please, please, please make more! It goes so well with my pearls and I was so glad to see that Mrs. O wore hers to Howard!! Thank you Mrs. O, I don't even care anymore that you're corporate, you're FABULOUS!
Yay! So good to hear bapworld. I think our "corporate"-ness has been a bit misunderstood, but I amended the About Us section last week to prevent any confusion going forward. The t-shirt operation has literally been me, myself and I wrapping, packaging and shipping each t-shirt! They're all in the mail as of now, so if you haven't received yours yet, it should be arrivng soon! You can always email me at contact@mrs-o.org with any questions.
I am glad there is discussion here about the NYTimes article, because it seemed weird to me too... just wondering has anyone else noticed a media trend where articles constantly try to point out the "luxury," "lavishness," etc of either of the Obama's choices? From the Hay-Adams Hotel on down to her fashion choices?
I can't figure out if this is racism or trying to paint all Democrats as big spenders or what... but it irks me. We never heard about all the ridiculous personal spending of the Bushes (or the McCains for that matter), and both of those families go way, way, back into MONEY (unlike the Obamas). If you're gonna note the personal spending habits of the Obamas, please give us an accounting of the Cheneys, Quayles, Bushes, Walkers, etc. Tell us how much they paid for their ugly dresses!! =)
Seanalyn: spot on...she looks absolutely lovely when caught unawares...the posed photos don't always do her justice...look at that close up from the lincoln event last night - she absolutely glowed!
Nina: My thoughts exactly...its just seems like there are those consciously or unconsciously seeking to diminish the Obama's any way they possibly could -
They detractors will always try - but newsflash! they will fail woefully as has been evidenced over and over again - The Obama's are here to stay and no amount of awfulness lobbed at them will ever change that - And thank God!
Mrs. O. needs a darker, brighter lipstick here...ditto with the Kennedy Center dress. It just makes her look so much more alive and healthier when she wears the right lipstick.