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)
That's a gorgeous dress. Perfect for summer, and so many nice touches.
As for arm sheaths in other seasons, I recently found myself going without at a party. Room full of 100+ people to shake hands with, long evening, lots of food and beverages to pass around, ballroom hotter than Hades. Guess what? I was comfortable, dangit, and I work a manual labor job that has given me arms that make MO's look kind of weak. She's comfy, and not doing anything no other FLOTUS has done with regard to clothing, ir's just that these arms are very brown and attached to a woman who is unapologetic. Good for her. I'll take her hand-me-downs any day.
It's probably not an imposter, just someone else named Christina -- which is fine, of course. Lovely name! (smile)
Look, I'll admit it -- if you were to go back and look at the post about the address to Congress, I was talking somewhat negatively about the s-word. Mostly because I live in DC, and I was just thinking "hey, it's cold."
But my GOD. You would think that we were all in the 18th century talking about a woman showing a little ankle. Just cluck-cluck-cluck all the darn time about appropriateness, as if the woman doesn't have her own style and isn't entitled to wear what she wants. Michelle Obama is a grown woman. She will dress the way she wants and she owes us, really, nothing at all in terms of how she dresses. I was already driven out of the other thread by people suggesting that there should be some kind of clothing competition between Mrs. O and Carla Sarkozy. Really? That's REALLLY the most important thing here?
I swear, sometimes we women talk about how men keep us down, but some of the worst stuff I think we do to ourselves. Frankly, I hope she wears sleeveless dresses from now till the end of time, just to make some peoples' heads explode.
Noone said that a style showdown between Sarkozy and Mrs. O is the most important thing (at leat not that I know of)! In the grand scheme of things it is quite trivial, but we all know it is bound to happen, particularly with the British press! After all, look at the amount of time we bloggers spend talking about Mrs. O's clothes. It is just what it is and we know that it will be highlighted in the media.
One last thing, and I'll stop ranting -- JoJo, I have this blog bookmarked, or whatever the appropriate term is, in Google Reader. When there is a new post, I can click on the link and read the post, including pictures, without having to see any comments. Which I think I may start doing beginning tomorrow, to keep my blood pressure down. Goodness, tomorrow she may go sleeveless, or God forbid wear a cardigan and/or belt, and all the wannabe Vogue editors who would NEVER be so UNSTYLISH in their own lives will be out in force.
Sorry to be so snarky. I'm just sad that what was a fun diversion for me has become unpleasant. The vast majority of you all are great fun to "listen to," whether you like a particular outfit or not. But you know what they say about a few bad apples. It's not the criticizing of the outfit that is the issue -- I don't like every ensemble either -- it's acting like there's only one appropriate way for First Lady to dress, and if she breaks the "rules" then she's no longer "on point." Maybe true stylemakers make their own rules.
Christina... if you stop reading the comments section, then that means the rest of us would miss out on your very sensible and often funny responses. Please reconsider!
You shouldn't let anyone's tone here upset you. Mostly because you can be sure Mrs. O, who the comments are directed at, wouldn't be fazed by any of it. But more importantly because, in truth, if you read the comments section of ANY article about Mrs. O that's not on this blog, you would find at least one or two people saying the most unthinkable, insulting, shocking things. And that ugly stuff makes the occasional clucking over sl--ves seem really innocent...because it really is pretty innocent.
The nitpicking can be very annoying, but it comes from SUCH a flattering place. Namely that Mrs. O is interesting enough to merit discussion. And that's what makes this blog so fun and why we have so much to talk about day after day.
Dear All: Truly sorry to have piped in with my earlier comments. I will tip-toe away from this site and keep my thoughts to my frumpy self! Cheers!
Well I am disappointed.
I just now clicked on the link above in the article that says "lower-priced collection for Target" and there IS NOT anything at all that I would purchase or be caught dead in. Most of what is in the photos looks like something left over from the 1970's and is just plain 'ugly'.
I love the dress, it suits and flatters Mrs O very well and was appropriate to the season. Ok it was a politcal event - I'm sorry but so what? She was looked demure yet totally attractive - she looked herself. If nothing else hopefully she can show everyone that style and comfort takes precedence over stereotypes - yes even at a politcal event!
Coco Chanel went to the races without a corset which was the equivalent of no underwear in those days.
I like the top of the dress more than I like the bottom (skirt-part). For me, it is perfectly appropriate this time.
I find it a bit disturbing that there are a few Mrs O fans on this blog, who get quite aggressive in the sense that we're not allowed to write anymore what we think (even if that means the 100.000th comment about sleevelessness being appropriate or not!). Live and let live. Don't respond to each others' comments all the time, and let people express even if you don't agree with it.
@suji. Thank you for that additional shot of the dress. The skirt really changes the look.
@Leah. I suspect the Target outfits are really geared to the youth (under 30) market.It just reminds you that everything old is new again. I love this dress even more than the shirtwaist worn to the NPS-just personal preference.
Article about Michelle Obama and her views on healthful foods and living:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/11/dining/11lady.html?pagewanted=1&tntemail1=y&emc=tnt
Since we are speaking still of baring arms or not, I wish Michelle Obama had bared her arms on election night. :) The little sweater she wore over the Narcisco Rodriguez dress took away from the first impression of that beautiful dress.
Ellen, since I was the last person who was speaking as you describe, let me try again. This is not the first time sleeves has come up. It's about the millionth. But even so, it's not like people aren't allowed to be critical -- who cares about being critical? We all have different tastes. It's just the constant drumbeat that seems not to add anything at all. We get it. Some people don't like sleeveless dresses. Even when they're worn in August. And then the SAME old argument starts up again -- sleeves are good! No they're bad! Look at what Jackie Kennedy wore! Mrs. O's arms are great! etc. etc.
I apologize for snappishness; this is my first time really doing that. Usually I'm calm, so I'm sorry for disturbing you; arguing matters of taste is a generally a fruitless endeavor. But it's gotten to the point where I get a knot in my stomach when I see a picture of Mrs. O wearing a sleeveless dress because I know the same comments are going to come up, over and over again. If you think people are aggressive in their defense, trust me, people are aggressive in their dislike of sleeveless dresses, too.
I was almost excited to see people merely criticize the dress as being too "frou-frou!" I disagree, but at least it wasn't another thing about sleeves.
Anyway, all this is my problem, though, and I have to learn to ignore it, and I apologize for stirring the pot. If I had the ability to erase my earlier comments, I would do so; they're not helping anything.
Regarding Tracy Feith's Target line -- VERY youth oriented. I think that's better for people about 20-25 years younger than I am.
@Christina: No problem. I can understand that it gets to you. It is awful though when it gets to a point where you are hoping she won't wear sleeveless, just so that you won't have to read any sleeveless comments! :) Just ignore them if you don't care for them.
@Allegra: I agree! The election night dress really needed to be without the cardigan. Though it was quite chilly... :)
Im also sad that the target collection is for the young uns. Would have loved something that went to the kneee at least.
There's an outfit in that Target/Feith collection that looks like romper, but I think it's actually like bloomer shorts and a top -- but my first thought is wow, Romper Room. Who wears that nowadays? But maybe the young teens do!
(Just as an aside, how do you pronounce "Feith?" Is it feeth or fayth?)
Has anyone checked out the Alexander McQueen line for Target? It appears that jumpsuits are making a comeback too, which I find very unfortunate. Please, Mrs. O, don't go there!
I'm a huge Mrs. O fan, but I do agree that she's still in the learning curve when it comes to dressing for the occasion. I have no objection to anyone's wearing sleeveless tops, but I do think cleavage or the little bit of skin showing here is not appropriate for someone in her position, especially at an official event. I recall Jackie Kennedy's decision that as First Lady she believed she should be "suitably covered up"--no decollete. I love Mrs. O in her sleeveless sheaths--very classic and tasteful.
But Mrs. Kennedy was First Lady 49 years ago. Just shy of a half century. Isn't it possible that "appropriateness" has changed in half a century? The clothing that Mrs. Kennedy wore would have been scandalous to people 50 years before her.
I am wondering why Mrs. Kennedy, for all her positive qualities, is being used as the ideal of all that a First Lady should be. Why can't Mrs. O make her own way, why does she have to walk in the path traveled by others, particularly those who were in the limelight years before she was even born?
I don't even see cleavage in this picture, and the sliver of skin is something I wouldn't have noticed until it was pointed out. Her "position" at the time this picture was taken was "wife of the Democratic nominee," not "First Lady."
And, before every starts saying that you're entitled to your opinion -- of course you are. I'm not saying otherwise. I just disagree, and I'm trying to explain why. I just think that holding up Mrs. Kennedy as the arbiter of all that is good and right and appropriate in First Lady fashion is casting our minds back a bit too far. Jackie Kennedy, were she alive today, would be older than Michelle Obama's mother. I don't know about you guys, but I don't dress like my mother.
You know what is really funny? Mrs. Obama was getting chewed out for wearing too many cardigans, now it's not enough cardigan.....you certainly can't please everyone and as long as she is happy, the President is happy, and a happy President is better for the country!
Christina,
First of all, a sincere thank you for your very polite expression of disagreement. I wish that would happen more often on this site. (hint to everyone!) I don't dress like my mother either, and I'm not "holding up Mrs. Kennedy as the arbiter of all that is good and right and appropriate in First Lady fashion." But no one gets it right every time, and I think that perhaps the balance is somewhere between Laura Bush and some of the more dubious choices by Mrs. O.
Christina and others, please keep posting. A few people will always try to derail the conversation, that's the nature of blogland. When that derailing is for the purpose of inflaming and irritating and not for the sake of a healthy critique, it's your choice to respond or not. My personal game plan is to ignore the repetitive posts and not keeping rehashing the same old arguments. Because I'll be darned if I'm going to let a small minority take away from the joy that Michelle inspires in all of us.
AS a lifelong seamstress and textile artist, I'm so happy to see Mrs. O wear such original clothing with handcrafted artisan detail, and in doing so to be creative, feminine and strong all at once. This dress is a great example - would love to see the skirt.
http://lainie.typepad.com/redthread
I also don't think Mrs O is showing 'cleavage' at all. The tiny bit of exposed skin (that I didnt' even notice initially either) looks totally accidental - like a buckle in the opening due to her leaning slightly forward. Certainly wouldn't class it anywhere near a 'wardrobe malfunction' lol!
Sorry to mention her arms again but they are her 'sexy zone' rather like Angelina Jolie has her 'pillow lips'?
Anyway, thank you everyone for your comments - I love healthy discussions and could talk fashion all day, everyday!
So glad we have this blog!
If you Google Tracy Feith, you'll find two YouTube videos that show his work. He has been known as the "surfer designer" so his work will look very beachy. And his market is primarily 18-25 or younger. Or maybe a little older.
Thanks Mrs E
I love Tracy Feith's designs.
His East Hampton store is so cool. I have coveted his men's patterned fabric trousers for so long.
They are sort of a modern take on Lili Pulitzer men's 'patio / pool trousers.
Mr Feith's surfer roots shine through and through his design aesthetic beautifully.
I loooooooooove that Tracy Feith dress she's wearing here. She should wear these style more often. If some people actually think our 1st lady looks too casual for the event, you haven't seen how European royalty & head of state women in their 40s/30s/20s dress for their usual public events and formal gathering.
Mrs. O seem to be dressing more like a progressive, yet elegant professional more suited to Europe and Canada, then the United State it seems. But I'm thinking its been a long while since we ever took any fashion inspiration or offense from our public figures in Washington, hence all this sleeveless controversy.
As I've said before, Michelle is the First Lady. If she's doing it, it's appropriate.
She doesn't need to learn anything, she looks fantastic. Be GRATEful!
So some people think that covering up means appropriate? To me that's just weird. They're welcome to that point of view of course but I hope that we've moved on from the 1800's.
Cyndi's point is a good one. Go look at successful businesswomen in Europe and Canada - and Australia, and young European Royalty. They're doing great jobs and looking 100% professional. So's Michelle.
I for one would LOVE to see the death of the word "appropriate"!!
Thanks for this blog! I've never commented, but have been enjoying it for awhile. It's nice to have companions in my fondness for our wonderful 1st lady.
I really love her in this dress. It's one of my favorites that she's worn. I would totally wear it. But whoa...the ones in the Target collection do not impress. Even if I was in the right age genre, I would never wear any of those. How disappointing.
I agree the sleeves debate is getting very redundant, but I don't mind debate over whether people like her outfits or not. It kind of makes the comments more interesting. It's just that particular observation is by now so unoriginal, it's not even worth bringing up in comments. My guess is she's sensitive to heat, and with the lights and crowds around her all the time, she's more comfortable that way. I really don't care. She's a joy to look at. We're so lucky to have her!!
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This what i adore about Obamas. They bring authenticity to politics. Out with conforming and in with being you and serving others. I love when she wears " not so serious outfits to " so called " serious events" Keeps it real and purpose and goal on point :)))
I think it looks like a lei around her neck, too, and the first thing I noticed was the gap that showed her skin :( Did she use the purple (is it a pin?) flower to secure it? If so I'm wondering what the fit of the bodice would be like on anyopne with a bust to fill it out. Maybe there's a picture of it on a model online somewhere. I think the dress is way too casual for this event. It's a bit too "beachy". It would be perfect in Hawaii at night. Well, to each his own.
Now will everyone PLEASE leave her alone about her arms! If only mine looked that good I would certainly bare them!