Thakoon, Narciso and Maria C.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 1:56 PM While we wait for Mrs. O to venture out in Washington this week, we thought we'd bide time by highlighting a few more Fall 2009 collections from the First Lady's favorite designers.
#1 Thakoon Thakoon Panichgul was the first young Mrs. O designer to win our sartorial heart. Throughout 2008, Mrs. O wore a number of pieces by the designer: notably, the floral frocks for the final night of the DNC and the first Presidential Debate, plus a mix of cardigans, blouses and jackets for less broadcast moments. So what did the designer have in store for Fall 2009? Thakoon brought his usual femme aesthetic, this season delivered with a bit of disco ball edge. The built-in black bow on the emerald green silk dress (Look 23) and the short, ruffled, raspberry number (Look 33) were instant favorites. The aforementioned disco ball influence came in the form of an exciting and sparkly jacket and dress (Looks 31 and 32).
#2 Narciso Rodriguez Within seeing the first several looks of Narciso Rodriguez's Fall 2009 collection - filled with familiar, khaki colored, divinely tailored wool coats - the link to Mrs. O's ensemble from the We Are One concert was immediately evident. (Though the cut of Mrs. O's coat most closely mirrored that of the yellow wool jacket in Look 11). While we struggle to imagine Mrs. O in haute camouflage, styles such as the lavender halter dress (Look 22), could be easily modified to suit the First Lady. We were also fond of the metallic leather coat with an exposed zip and epaulettes topping its square shoulders.
#3 Zero + Maria Cornejo We are loving all things Zero + Maria Cornejo lately. (New Yorkers take note: After a decade on Mott Street, Maria Cornejo has moved uptown, albeit just a few blocks, to a new space on Bleecker St. between Lafayette and Bowery). While very unlikely to turn up in Mrs. O's closet, we were instantly charmed by the digital cat prints that ran throughout several looks in the collection from Zero + Maria Cornejo. We were even more delighted to learn that said cat is in fact the designer's own, Grey. From Style.com:
Fittingly, Fall was designed for a "strong but positive" woman, Cornejo said. The feel-good inspirations behind the collection (her cat, Grace Jones, and drives upstate) may have sounded like a bit of an odd mix, but there was nothing discordant about the image that hit the runway: a lean and elegant urban warrior look, not a defiant one, but a sophisticated and pragmatic tough cookie who needs the protection of a sleek, luxe cocoon.
We've leave you with a nice little behind-the-scenes video from New York Magazine, filmed with Thakoon Panichgul in December. The designer comments on dressing First Lady Mrs. O and gives us a sneak peek at his new annex line, Thakoon Addition.
Narciso Rodriguez, Thakoon, Zero + Maria Cornejo in Designers
Reader Comments (6)
Just a repost from the other thread so no one misses the slide show!:
The Huffington Post has an AMAZING slideshow of Michelle’s style during the first 30 days as First Lady. Everyone should check really it out: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/style/
I am convinced that they missed a few looks (I think the outfit with the metallic python belt is one) but otherwise, it’s a great little walk on memory lane. And it makes it easier to pick the favorite outfits so far.
For me it’s definitely the Proenza Schouler dress. I know everyone loved the dress she wore to the Alvin Ailey performance (and I did as well) but for me, nothing so far has topped that amazing royal blue sheath she wore to the National Prayer Service. I wish I could afford to buy it!
And actually, my second choice was the Tracy Feith dress, also worn to a National Prayer Service.
thakoon seems like such a sweetheart, and he makes beautiful clothes too.
Wow, the dire times seem to have affected Thakoon's palette hasn't it ? Other than a few bursts of bright, black seems to be the operative color of his collection.
NR's show was hot - I am always enamored of his sleek minimalism w/ precision tailoring. Subtly sexy, strong and modern, I can see why Mrs O is attracted to his aesthetic.
Zero show is cool. Very urban downtown feel. I also saw lots of Rick Owens in there - so many designers this season are channeling his leather / leggings looks which he has been showing in Paris for the last couple years.
Thanks for posting the shows Mrs T.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/6022455/0~2377475~6014156~6022455?origin=hp
I've been watching the brief fashion videos at the Nordstrom site this week. If you go to the URL above, you'll find one on Thakoon...I like Jeffrey Kalinsky's thoughts on Thakoon (and on all).
I'm so proud of Mrs O that she chooses to help young designers with remarkable potential.
I have to do digital gymnastics to read Mrs-O.org on my Kindle. When I first started to read it I had no problem bringing it up but now I have to do a Google search of another Google search just to read one or two posts.