Have a Little Feith
Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at 4:25 PM 
Image via Flickr user Studio08 Denver / Creative Commons
Mrs. O's patronage of under the radar American designers, many of them up and coming, some established but lesser well known, is becoming a hallmark of her style. After she wore a bold crane and floral print dress for the National Prayer Service on January 21, we really began to sit up and take notice of one designer in particular, Tracy Feith. As we noted at the time, Mr. Feith's designs tend to have a maverick quality to them, reflecting his surfer roots.
Even before the National Prayer service dress debuted, the January 2009 issue of Voguementioned Tracy Feith in a shortlist of Mrs. O's designers. Was it foresight only Vogue could have? Or had, perhaps, Mr. Feith dressed Mrs. O in the past?
In fact, the article referred to a bold, yet intricately detailed Tracy Feith dress that Mrs. O wore to a daytime Black Caucus event during the Democratic National Convention in late August 2008 (pictured above). We reached out to Mr. Feith's partner, Susan Winget, to get the scoop on the dress. First spotted at Ikram, and later custom altered for Mrs. O, the design is known as "the Lei Dress". Ms. Winget's description: "the bodice is hand dyed cotton and silk, and trimmed in strips of metallic shot, tea dyed chiffon and cotton batik. The skirt is heavy linen. The peach lace trim at the hem is hand beaded with tiny beads and sequins." Additional images of the dress can be seen here.
We love the striking originality of this dress, which combines an almost graphic, sleeveless silhouette with unusual yet effective combinations of fabric and a thorough attention to detail. Perhaps the designer also had this dress in mind when in January he told U.K. magazine Grazia:
"[Michelle Obama] likes things that are feminine but somewhat adventurous. She's not afraid of those things.'"
In the same interview, Ms. Winget commented on the Tracy Feith dress Mrs. O wore for the National Prayer Service, adding:
"It was a real thrill for us in our little-engine-that-could company to see our First Lady in Tracy's dress and to receive such quick recognition. We are beyond flattered."
Tracy Feith is currently working on a lower-priced collection for Target. Look out for it in early May 2009 when it's expected to debut in stores. With endorsement from both the First Lady and Target, Tracy Feith's name is surely on its way to earning well-merited household status.
Tracy Feith in Outfits
Reader Comments (82)
I love that the lei dress has a hawaiian reference! When I first opened the blog today I thought, lovely dress, looks like Mrs. O is wearing a lei. I wonder if the purple flower is a pin/brooch or part of the dress???
The pin is very lovely. Is it enamel? Michelle looks great in all colors and fabric tones. I have not yet seen a hue on her that she could not wear well.
Another example of the wonderful details that Mrs. O seems to love so much.
Love Michelle, but not feeling that outfit.
I thought Tracy Feith was British! Can't find a bio anywhere on the web...maybe this blog could start giving us bios of Mrs. O's top designers...
Lovely dress, so very feminine!
I love almost all Mrs. Obama's clothes. However, I am sometimes uneasy when she wears low cut, sleeveless flirty outfits to the "serious", solemn occasions. Like this dress, for example, it is fantastic by itself and she is gorgeous in it, but isn't it more of a garden party outfit then political event dress?
Some one please give that woman a jacket...a sweater...sleeves...Puhlleeezzze
It's CRAZY!
I really like this dress! It is feminine and pretty--and looks great on Michelle. I look forward to seeing it again this summer!
Everyone---the sleevelessness is just NOT an issue. Relax already!
Never noticed that Michelle Obama was that flat chested. She looks it in this image.
Christina-
People don't wear sweaters in AUGUST!
----
Michelle looks great sleeveless any time of the year, everyone needs to just drop it - I sure don't want to hear about this for the next eight years.
Btw, I love the lei dress.
We in America are so used to seeing women in D.C. all covered up, mainly because most of them are 'politicians' and they must dress 'professionally'. Michelle is not a politician and she does not have to dress in a certain way to climb the ladder. I for one am thrilled that we have a First Lady that likes to dress as a 'real everyday woman'.
I have to agree that this dress is not suitable for a political occasion, not because it is sleeveless, but because it is too frou-frou. I think this is a beautiful dress in general, but am not fond of the gap below the purple flower that shows her skin. Surely it could have been better fitted. Mrs. O. does not look flat-chested, she looks NORMAL. This is what happens when our perceptions are skewed by the mass acceptance (?) of surgical enhancements, a trend that I abhore.
Her skin in this picture is just WOW. This woman must eat nothing but fish and salads! That's the only way to get that kind of youthful glow. I am 23 and MY skin doesn't look like that.
And this dress is just lovely--feminine, whimsical and totally not obvious. I don't think that just anyone could pull it off...but this kind of detailing is what's FUN about fashion. Mrs. O's beautiful, simple sheaths are the crowd-pleasers and certainly please me as well. But this kind of quirky look is what first drew me about her and made me start following her style. I like her adventurousness.
And Leah--yes, I'm with you. I really don't want to see sleeveness-hysteria for the next 8 years. Especially when a) this picture was taken in August and b) she has been wearing sleeves for several days.
Nice shoutout to Hawaii (Obama's birth state), but I'm not feeling this outfit. Too frilly, more appropriate for a younger woman, and definitely inappropriate for a Congressional Black Caucus event during the DNC. The outfit also doesn't flatter her figure, and makes her look flat-chested.
Mara, Michele IS small-busted. There is nothing wrong with it! But it's not the dress.
I worked the convention and snuck into this event! There was a rumor going around that Michelle would appear and in she walked. She looked spectacular. Everyone went crazy and she gave a wonderful speech to thank everyone for their work in the campaign and to urge us to keep working in the the election. The weather that day was stifling. I remember much crisper color, but this depiction is also beautiful. She was absolutely more than appropriately dressed. She was followed by Valerie Jarret in a sleeveless sheath and Donna Brazile who wore a loosely constructed gray ensemble. They all completely BLEW me away with their appearance and their speeches. Unforgettable and I THANK YOU so much for posting this wonderful flashback.
Waaah, I cannot open the photo...
This looks great on her. So light, fresh and airy. Something
nice for a spring or summer wedding.
I think we are going to see many books about Michelle Obama's fashion and style as we did with Jackie Kennedy
and Princess Diana.
Marvelous. Springtime personified.
I read the above posts and I agree that the dress does not suit the occasion; it is too frilly, especially after reading the description of the "peach lace trim at the hem is hand beaded with tiny beads and sequins.” It does not work for a morning event. And before all the Mrs.O-can-do-no-wrongers have my head, I will say that is a pretty dress for a tea party or day wedding. One can do feminine and pretty, and sleeveless the right way or the not-so-right way. Jackie O's sheath at her husband's speech and even Mrs. O's own purple Pinto and dress and black belt in Minesotta during the primaries are the right way to do it. This "Lei neckline" that gives a peek of her chest (BTW, she got hips, but she is a little flat-chested; nothing wrong with that, she just gotta accentuate the positives) does not work here. I agree with Julia that Mrs. O sometimes lacks a sense of occasion. And if we are talking about "real everyday woman," most do tend to dress according to the occasion.
Re: Sleeveless comment - I take it back. Didn't realize it was from August. Wonderful dress for August! But I am still pro more sleeves. Call me old-fashioned. I do think she really blows it sometimes - like that wisteria dress. It's really weird that everyone just goes "ahhhhh". Kinda like the Emperor has no clothes...
Beautiful dress! I never would have guessed the Hawaiian/Polynesian influence unless you mentioned it. Fabulous subtlety in the dress and fashion adventureousness in our First Lady, what a great combination! God Bless America!
Mara-
As one of the photo captions says:
Michelle Obama addressed a get-out-the-vote training session hosted by the Congressional Black Caucus at the Colorado Convention Center.
I think that she was appropriately dressed to speak at a training session. It's not like when she spoke at the convention in the evening when it was televised.
I think we all need to remember that before Barack decided to run for president - Michelle Obama was an accomplished attorney working in the professional world and she was a wife of a senator. She does know what is appropriate and what is not. I am glad that she is not dressing like an old fuddie-duddie -- it would be horrible if we were to see her dressed for business all of the time or dressed in old lady's clothes.
Christina, rather than thinking that "the emperor has no clothes", why not think that your style and your perspective is simply different than other people? That wisteria dress, by Tracy Feith was one of my favorites Mrs. O has worn in recent memory. And I remember being far from the only one who really loved it. In fact, it even inspired a piece in the La Times and another in the Chicago Tribune.
Part of why Michelle's style is admired IS, I think, the creativity and freshness that drives her to pick non-obvious styles like both of these Tracy Feith dresses. And there's enough diversity in what she chooses for anyone to find something to like (or dislike of course).
Michelle looked great at a morning August event. She was not in a venue like NYC or DC, and she appeared fresh and bright. And bring on the sleeveless. It's good for women to see a FLOTUS who is obviously toned and fit. She has probably served as inspiration for thousands of women who struggle with weight and exercise.
I love the sleeveless, but dislike the style of the dress. And it was not just any morning event, it was a training section at the Democratic Black Caucus. Also being trained as a lawyer does not automatically convey a sense of style protocol. After all, before the Presidential campaign, Mrs. O even admits that she was pretty much out of the public's eye and preferred it that way. She does not need to change who she is, just make a little concession to the occasion every now and then. By now, the whole world knows and has seen that she is toned and fit; she does not need to show it just because. She has great style, it just needs a little polish.
Mz_C, if you are talking situation-specific, I was at the off-site Convention Center for 5 days and I was at this particular event and her attire was MORE than appropriate. It was an informal morning speech (not a formal training of any kind) during a week with very warm weather. Except for the evening floor events at the Pepsi Center (a very different venue), everyone at most of the off-site events was very informally dressed in loose dresses and casual heels. Nobody wore a suit. I went to many lectures and mixers and Mrs. Obama was more than notably gracious in her appearance.
You may want to continue to argue about some sort of abstract standard for whatever reason, but for this particular context, Mrs. Obama was perfectly appropriate and meticulous.
I liked the dress she wore at the NPS, it was very feminine and the print made it modern for a classic silhouette...
The dress in the picture, not my favorite...
but I'm interested to see what his line for Target will be
The debate how what is occasion appropriate dressing is somewhat valid... but I'm glad she is not picture perfect... It makes her more real that she is learning along the way.
Let us agree to disagree on this one. I like Mrs. O, and I did not think she needed a suit, just a dress a little less frilly.
Agreed!
What a lovely lovely dress!!! This is the type of dress choice I love...so refreshing...so clean.. celebrating the joy of living and yet so accessible to anyone who wants to duplicate this style.Check this pic for the trim on the skirt http://www.flickr.com/photos/studio08denver/2803913007/
Hats off to Michelle for going against the tide and striking her own style path!
Our First Lady will be attending TWO events tomorrow.
1pm - President Obama delivers remarks and signs an executive order creating the White House Council on Women and Girls. Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden are also in attendance.
4pm - Michelle Obama joins Hillary Clinton at the State Department to celebrate International Women’s Day.
I do not believe Mrs. O shows her arms "just because". FYI, obesity is one of the top 5 medical conditions in this country. If a first lady is fit, that is going to inspire millions of overweight women. I am not saying that is why Michelle bares her arms or should bare her arms, but seeing her athletic body has got to have an effect on women who struggle. It is just one more way that Mrs. O has become a role model, probably unwittingly.
Moving on, I will love seeing Hillary and Michelle together. They are two of the best and the brightest.
And remember that tomorrow - Wednesday - the Obama's have their weekly dinner/"get-together" with Congrssional leaders. As far as I know these gatherings are still weekly celebrations ~~ nice!
Great! New Outfits! I thought Mrs. O was supposed to be in NC visiting military families today. What happenned? Also, let us just Mrs. O be Mrs. O. We put so much expectation on her + she has enough on her plate with her own family. If she, in the process, becomes an inpsiration for fitness and style, great! But let us not make it so to the point if she gainsn a couple of pounds or makes a fashion faux pas everyone gets on her case.
Please, snide critics, review some of the lovely pictures of Jackie Kennedy as First Lady. She wore sleeveless dresses in all seasons and looked fabulous. I do not recall any criticism of her elegant taste; instead she was greatly admired for her exquisite style. Certainly, she did not receive scathing criticism from the pious about her chic sleeveless arms.
I just wanted to point out: it seems that Mrs. O's belted sweater style (a la Oprah Mag cover) has really caught on and is the thing to do this spring. Check out the pics of the new spring styles on the Banana Republic web site:
http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/outfit.do?cid=46544&oid=OUT14478
Jojo-
Thursday, March 12th - Michelle Obama visits Fort Bragg military base in North Carolina, meets with military spouses and speaks to organizations that provide support to the soldiers and their families.
Thanks Leah D. Lookig forward to tomorrow. I hope she knocks it out of the ballpark so well's have lots to talk about. Do you notice that when her outfits are amazing there are many more posts, (in the 100s) when if it's just OK, there are just a few posts?
I wish, people would get over the sleeveless thing now. It's sounding like this stupid media manufactured discussion that the President is doing too much right now. Get with the program folks!
Are we really going to judge her clothes through the prism of whether sleeveless is appropriate every time we see a picture of her in a sleeveless outfit? If so, this blog which once had interesting and relevant fashion discussions will go downhill. I feel like suddenly, some have gone from commenting on her clothes to judging whether she dresses appropriately. People are now basically judging her and her ability to decide how to dress. It's insulting at this point. This is a 45 year old, mother of two, who's married to the president. She knows what's up.
Maybe some people are uncomfortable with her showing her arms and would prefer her to wear sleeves, but I think it's time that those people GET OVER IT. She's not changing and if every time we get a sleeveless look people have to comment on how uncomfortable it makes them, of how old-fashioned they are, I suggest they stop scoping pictures of the First Lady because she's going to keep on wearing what she wants and showing those arms.
Oh, and I love the detailing and the fabric. This is a great summer look.
Video link
First 50 Days for First Lady Obama - CBS Early Show
http://michelleobamawatch.com/first-50-days-for-first-lady-obama-cbs-early-show
@ Mz._C, Belting your sweaters has been trendy for a few years, waaay before Mrs. O. was in the public eye. It was around the time of the belting your coat trend, which didn't last as long.
@ Jojo - I noticed that too that there are more comments when her outfits are hot, than when people think it is just OK.
ON another note - I think the people prolonging the sleeveless discussion are those that are making countless posts about how tired they are of hearing about the sleeveless discussion. While on the subject, I have not seen Michelle in sleeveless for almost a whole week.
I stand corrected. Irene.But you must agree that Mrs. O brought it back to the front burner of fashion and she pulls it off quite well.
I'd just like to say for the record that there are two Christinas posting here. I'm the Christina who is so tired of hearing people talk about G-D sleeves that I'd like to punch the wall.
This is an outfit that she wore almost a year ago, in AUGUST, at a NONFORMAL OCCASION, which we can only see maybe 1/3 of in this picture, so, can we put away the axes and knives? Whether it was "right for the occasion" or not, it was worn, she didn't ask our permission first, and it's over now. Focus your ire on a the sleeveless dresses that she's sure to wear in the future.
Also, I'm afraid I have to agree with IVA. The comment section is turning into a bunch of clucking scolds. I had no idea that there were so many "enforcers" in the world. I'm glad I can see the pictures in Google reader and skip the rest.
How do you that? see the pics in Google reader? I'd like to do that as well.
What an enchanting,beautfully quirky, ultra feminine,fresh,crisp look for a balmy Denver summer day!
Absolutely love,love,love it!
ha! i KNEW there had to be two Christinas. I was confused by the "new" Christina's comments since I remembered the "old" Christina having a different perspective.
Personally, even if I really had a problem with Michelle wearing a s-----less (I can't even bring myself to type out that word any more!!) dress, I wouldn't even bring it up anymore. Surely the point has been made and remade and re-re-remade.
I had a feeling that was an imposter who was posting as Christina. Glad you cleared that up. I think Mrs. T may have to have some sort of registration process if this keeps up.