A First Lady Fashion Week?
Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 8:51 PM 
Photo via Flickr user The Heart Truth / Creative Commons 
Photo via Flickr user The Heart Truth / Creative Commons
Before the March cover of Vogue was unveiled this week, recent fashion chatter has focused on whether First Lady Mrs. O might attend New York Fashion Week, which officially kicks off tomorrow. William Norwich (also of Vogue's Norwich Notes) wrote on wowowow.com last Friday:
"The hot rumor sweeping Seventh Avenue is that First Lady Michelle Obama and/or Jill Biden will attend a couple of shows during Fashion Week."
Mr. Norwich did go on to cite two factors that might deter Mrs. O from attending: First, concern that attending Fashion Week in such tough economic times will be perceived as frivolous. And second, that securing the tents at Bryant Park might pose too big a challenge for the Secret Service. It's worth noting that if Mrs. O does attend, she wouldn't be the first First Lady to do so.
Throughout her time in the White House, Laura Bush championed The Heart Truth campaign to raise awareness about heart disease in women. For the past several years, she has also attended the campaign's Red Dress Collection Fashion Show held as part of New York Fashion Week. Photos taken at the 2008 show are posted above. Were Mrs. O to attend Fashion Week, we have to think the Red Dress Collection would be one of her stops. As WWD reported last week:
"The [Red Dress] show’s real get would be First Lady Michelle Obama, who has yet to RSVP, according to show organizers."
The 2009 Red Dress Collection will debut tomorrow morning at 10AM, and certainly, we'll be on the lookout for our First Lady. As a woman clearly interested in fashion, we hope Mrs. O does attend - for her own enjoyment, but also for the recognition it would bring to a struggling industry. And for the "frivolous" concern? Critics should read Jeanne McManus's fantastic piece in the Washington Post today.
Outfits
Reader Comments (29)
I think the First Family is in Chicago at their home for the weekend. President Obama is slated to take the First Lady out for Valentine's Day dinner.
Very nice photos of a great, classy and beautiful First Lady: Mrs. Laura Bush. Thanks for the photos.
I personally think she should still go...she could use it as an opportunity to do some fundraising and awareness raising like Mrs Bush did. But if she decides not to, I wont be heartbroken...shes a busy busy lady and Im sure shes got lots of projects that would take priority over Fashion Week.
This would be a tough one. We are operating under Obama Rules now, and the scrutiny he and his family are under is just more intense, and at times, more unfair than his predecessors. So, I'm torn. I want her to go and raise awareness for heart disease, and enjoy the fashion, but I can see it being used against her.
Hmm, meta raises a good point. It sounds like there's a good chance Mrs. O is already in Chicago for the weekend:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/06/obamas-planning-weekend-v_n_164795.html
I guess we'll know tomorrow morning!
I have to echoe IVA.
I think that Mrs. O neither should nor will be part of Fashion Week. NOT because there is anything wrong with it, of course. But because the spotlight she is under is far harsher than what Laura Bush ever faced. And there are groups of people quite eager to criticize her or paint her as an elitist etc, etc. No doubt Michelle knows this and doesn't want to give herself any headaches.
Bad idea Mrs. O!
I read the McManus piece, and I think she made some excellent points,however some of the comments were so nasty and mean I was shocked. If Mrs O attends Fashion Week, I too, think she will face a barrage of criticism. Fashion is a form of art, why can those that don't enjoy,care, and/or appreciate it just not read the pieces and not comment. On another note, I received my beautifully wrapped Mrs O inspired tee shirt today. It is really cute, although i would have liked a higher, more traditional neckline. I will enjoy wearing it!
Thanks for sharing the Post piece Mrs T.
I certainly hope the author discovers this blog - it sounds like she needs an outlet to indulge her Mrs O fashion fascination w/ out judgement or guilt.
We understand, we understand...
I think it would be cool if Mrs O showed up at the NR, Wu, or Thakoon shows ( I don't think Toledo does runway shows ) and although I think it would be a great show of support for the American fashion industry, I understand completely the peril of a barrage of negativity being thrown at her if she did.
Besides, she has done so much for the industry already and is continuing to do so everyday in a caliber that is astounding.
Hi JO. I had not read the comments on the McManus piece until you made note of them. Many of them are horrible! People can say absolutely horrendous things on the internet because it's all so anonymous. The one thing I've learned through running this site is that comments aren't always as they appear. Sometimes, particularly with these "troll" types, one person can pose as many different people, with the sole purpose of provoking and disrupting the community. Completely inappropriate and awful, but it gives me some hope to think it might be one sad, ignorant person vs. many.
I'm glad you're pleased with your t-shirt! If we ever do another one, I'll certainly consider your input.
The suit worn by Mrs. Bush in the photos above is one of the most attractive ones I've seen her wear. Why didn't she wear more clothes with a little zing like that? Too many of her outfits were ill-fitted, unaccessorized, and blah, and it's not as if she didn't have the money or the figure to do better. I hope she loosens up now and gets more, well, zing without losing her basic classic look.
Mrs. T, what a lovely WashPost piece! Leave it to a journalist to complain that they are criticized for covering one aspect of a story (!), but I think there's real truth there... that we need to stop thinking one-dimensionally about our First Ladies and start realizing they're well-rounded, accomplished individuals.
And thanks for the sweet photos of Laura B. at the Heart Truth | Red Dress show. I used to work at the PR firm that launched that program, and have loved watching it grow even as I've moved on to other things.
Although the Obamas are in Chicago this weekend, I do hope Mrs. O will attend at some point during her husband's presidency. It would be such a wonderful, easy way to bring attention to the #1 killer of American women: heart disease.
And, for those that don't know more about the campaign, in 2005, the "First Ladies Collection" was opened, showcasing red dresses and suits worn by previous First Ladies. I wonder, if Mrs. O donated one to this collection, which would it be?
Why wouldn't Mrs. O go to the Fashion Week activities? She will raise awareness for a good cause and for the fashion industry as well. After all, she has been spending a lot of money in high fashion; seems to enjoy good clothing; gets great attention for her wardrobe and is the First Lady! Go, Mrs O, go!
Oops! Sorry... I forgot the link to the First Ladies' red dresses and suits: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov//educational/hearttruth/events/first-ladies-collection.htm
RJT, I was thinking the same thing! I will send Mrs. McManus a note to see if she's aware of the blog and wants to join in on the chat.
I've noticed a common theme popping up in a few different places... That is, more and more people (outside of our little community) acknowledging a substance to Mrs. O's style. Isaac Mizrahi's stylist referred to it as "a marriage of intelligence and fashion" I believe. And here, I think Mrs. McManus makes a similar point.
I also keep thinking back to quotes Isabel Toledo gave post-Inauguration ... describing her choice of Swiss wool lace and the bold lemongrass color ... a fabric that would appear different depending on when and where one saw it ... a fresh, optimistic color that was intentionally hard to define, neither green nor yellow. There's just such a rich story to so much of what Mrs. O wears.
Mrs T your comment about the rich stories of Mrs Os sartorial choices is so great - and hopefully the general public, in hearing the designers themselves speak will also glean understanding of the richness of the design process when wielded by true artisans of the caliber that Mrs O has been wearing.
To know that designing is more than just beautiful fabric, cuts and trims, and the clothing that results are imbued w/ the each designers individual take on the world around them - dreams, music, various cultures, places, history, memories and fantasies, or in the case of Mrs O, a particular inspiring personality.
What the best of these designers do is amazing and certainly beyond the realm of simply 'making clothes'.
They are able to weave dreams, fantasy and beauty out of fabric and impart a sense of confidence and joy to the wearer.
That is the power of fashion.
I'd love to see the First Couple out for a romantic Valentines dinner! Maybe next year for Fashion Week, perhaps the economy won't be so bleak.
First Lady Laura Bush looks radiant in these pictures!
I think the first lady should simply stay away from this event - maybe next year she could consider doing it...the presidency is afterall a 4 year gig (at least!)-
I don't trust any of these "go Mrs O go" folks one iota...
The anonymity of the internet allows these sort to morph into all types of simultaneous pseudo "supporters" and hate-filled bashers all at the same time...(You know who you are and we do too!)
Mrs Obama should just enjoy her lovely self with her gorgeous husband - the President - this valentines day in their very own special, private way-
God bless and protect them both-
Just thought someone might be interested in this story about the new curtains in the WH residence; I wonder how Michael Smith's decorating is going?
http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1076053
Your favorite neighborhood news junkie here again... Here's the latest on Maria Pinto:
http://www.latimes.com/features/lifestyle/la-ig-maria15-2009feb15,0,4247300.story?track=rss
The article says she's had "an email saying we'd be getting together soon." Odd, huh?
The Obamas are, in fact, in Chicago this weekend. I'm getting used to the helicopters!
I write from South America. In my country there is great expectation regarding this new presidency. I am very interested in the balance that your First Lady tries to preserve between fashion icon and intelligent woman + promoting progressive issues for your national agenda. And now a woman`s curiosity, does anyone know what kind of fabric (if you know the name please) were her gorgeous orange and turquoise dresses for the visit to the ex president previous assuming and for the speech in the Democrat Convention? I think they were Maria Pinto`s. Thanks! And good luck!
i'd be very surprised if she went this year, the chances that she'd get heavily criticized for it in this economy are so high it's probably not worth it, in terms of whatever her agenda will be going forward. and given that the family is heading home to chicago tonight, it's pretty much guaranteed that she won't attend the red dress collection event tomorrow morning. i imagine that it's something she'd be interested in doing in the future though.
@chicagoan: reading that article i'd hope he isn't really running around telling the various suppliers he's using, who the materials are for; especially since he apparently doesn't typically. the last thing the first family needs is people harping about them buying expensive fabrics etc. from around the world; that never goes over well, let alone in a terrible economy (just ask nancy reagan! before long they too will fall victim to the exorbitant expenses meme). with so many people itching to tear this president and his wonderful family down, i can't help but get a sinking feeling whenever i sense any unfairly negative narrative rearing its head.
i highly doubt it. i think she has a healthy interest in fashion, but not enough to attend fashion week.
I hadn't thought about that, moja31... I guess I just thought how divine the sunlight would look, streaming through beige linen curtains. In all the photos I've seen of the private residence, I can only imagine how warm and homey it would make the rooms look.
I do hope people don't read more into it. Why on earth would anyone criticize them, when it's their designer who's sourcing the material? I can't imagine Mrs. O telling him, "I only want Scottish linen" -- come to think of it, that idea is so absurd it's funny!
Then again, I'm always surprised at the stuff some people come up with, even on here.
This year's show: http://mbfashionweek.com/newyork/fall2009/designers/the_heart_truth_collection_2009/
I agree, I'm glad she's keeping her sense of royal grace for now, and taking a pass on the glorious tackiness of fashion week. The key to Michelle's fashion success has been her mastery of beauty and style--not appearing to chase after looks, but having the looks come to her. A certain aloofness from the business side of fashion lets her avoid being at the mercy of the project runway-type catty appraisals. In a couple of years it could be fun for her to show up, almost like she was keeping it real, so to speak.