The Dress Before the Dress
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 1:15 PM 
Image used with kind permission from warmtofu
Several months ago we came across this photo of Mrs. O, posing with a young supporter at a 2007 campaign fundraiser in California. Initially it was the floral brooch that caught our eye, but the more time we spent with the photo, the more the dress took on a familiar quality - the shape of the neckline and slight volume through the sleeve. And then stirring in the back of our mental Mrs. O fashion library was this passage from the WSJ's (sadly, no longer) Heard on the Runway blog, written in November 2008 about the floral Thakoon dress Mrs. O wore on the final night of the DNC:
"The reverse kimono dress is what the garment industry calls a hot body, meaning it sells so well that a designer makes it for more than one season, often tweaking it by using a new fabric. The silhouette is now the four-year-old Thakoon label’s best-selling style, having sold out in 2007 when it debuted at Bergdorf Goodman."
It made us wonder, could the black crinkled silk cotton dress above, worn a year prior to the DNC, be Thakoon as well? Once we found this, the final look from Thakoon's Spring 2007 collection, we were almost certain. Besides being a fun Mrs. O fashion fact, it speaks to the First Lady's strong sense of her own style. Clearly Mrs. O was quite fond of the cut, so much so, that she purchased a second dress of the same design in a new, bold print a year later. It also reflects her longstanding patronage of select designers, Thakoon certainly among them. A Thakoon dress similar to that worn by Mrs. O at the DNC is now carried at Kirna Zabete. A back view reveals the crossover v-back detail and tie belt -- the inspiration for the dress's "reverse kimono" name. 
Image used with kind permission from Bill Burke / Page One Photography
Reader Comments (41)
Great detective work! Though I can't see very much of the black version of the dress, I do think I like it better in the vivid red/blue/purple print.
I'm not sure I like the shape on her much. Both seem to gap at the neckline and the multicolor one gathered in some unflattering ways around the bust and hips, at least in this photo.
Mrs T I take my hat off to you - that's some determined detective work!!!!
Thanks Mrs. T for the new post. I think I was starting to go into withdrawal... This is weird for me. Besides Princess Diana, I've never been drawn to a public figure before.
Well, it was more of an "a-ha!" moment to be honest - saved for a slow week such as this. Glad that everyone is enjoying!
Neither dress flatters Mrs. Obama. Too bunchy. I'm not a fan of Thakoon's work. Mrs. Obama needs a lot more Maria Pinto in her closet, because she looks best in Pinto's designs.
As usual I like Mrs. Obamas dress. I like the black one better than the patterened one, but I'm in general not too fond of patterns. But as usual I'm inspired by Mrs. Obamas clothes. I really love her outfits. I can count in one hand the outfits I did not like. As far as I've seen through the net and so on.
I love the black dress- v fashion-forward interpretation of a classic ( the LBD). The play on texture and volume adds interest.
And that would have to be my favorite Mrs. O brooch of all time- there's something delicate and vintage about it. I'm surprised we haven't seen it more often.
Posh is not alone. I used to follow Princess Diana's outfits this same way. Except this time, Mrs. O is a grown woman and I can see myself wearing some of this stuff.
New article about the "bare arms" conversation from AP
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/24/why-all-the-fuss-over-a-f_n_178728.html
I love the print Thakoon, but what struck me about the particular night that Michelle wore the print dress was the placement of three pins on her dress. I will never forget how awestruck I was by that.
It was the first time that I noticed her use of brooches in such a revolutionary way. For me, it's a signature Michelle move. I am certain that some of our fashion historians can point to antecedents.
I'm not so sure I like the fit on Mrs. O. However, I do like the dress on the model.
I like it so much better in red; just proof that pattern can change everything!
Nice observation Mrs. T!
Sorta off topic...
A week or so ago there was discussion here about the gifts that the Obamas and Browns exchanged.
Well here is some new news regarding a gift that President Obama gave to the Prime Minister of AUSTRALIA today:
Rare sheet music for the PM
President Obama gave Prime Minister Rudd a rare original printing of sheet music to “The Anacreontic Song,” by John Smith, a White House aide told POLITICO.
New article regarding Michelle Obama and her ARMS from The Associated Press:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/24/why-all-the-fuss-over-a-f_n_178728.html
OOOooooooo, this is exciting for us:
Obama and wife Michelle will be hosted by the queen for a brief meeting on April 1, the day before the crunch summit on tackling the world economic crisis, Buckingham Palace said.
meta, here's a bit more info for you.
Posted elsewhere March 7, 2009
President Obama and the First Lady will be traveling overseas at the end of the month. POTUS and FLOTUS will visit the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the Czech Republic March 31-April 5, 2009. -London USembassy.gov UPDATE: And Turkey.
April 1st the red carpet will be rolled out at Buckingham Palace when President Obama meets with Queen Elizabeth for what is being billed as " an informal, formal private meeting " in London ahead of the G20 economic summit.
Since becoming Queen in 1952 she has met every US leader apart from Lyndon Johnson. Once she meets Mr Obama she will have met 12 Presidents who have served during her reign. -Telegrah
Thank you, Lead D!
Cool!Can't wait thanks, Leah D!
Much better gift selection for the Australia PM. It shows thoughtfullness and appreciation. A gift is an extension of you, your style, and in this case the administration, so I am happy that they are getting it right.
About Mrs. O's dress; I like it in Black; the broach is very pretty. I hated the print dress worn in Denver: too busy, the length was wrong,it did not fit well, and the bow just rubbed me the wrong way. Mrs. O drsses beautifully, but sometimes she lacks the sense of occasion. I think that Dnever occasion merited a more superb outfit. And we know that she can deliver!
What a lucky Queen!
I'm dying for a Michelle Obama Update...here's a post I did on Michelle's green thumb influence:
http://www.gettogethablog.com/2009/03/home-influence-michelle-obama/
April 1st? Cool - I tried to find itinerary information and couldn't find anything on the Buckingham Palace website OR Downing Street!
Looking at the large size image of the photo on Flickr, I think it possible that those are three small brooches worn together.
Which, knowing Mrs. O's style, wouldn't surprise me.
Mrs T, I remember participating yesterday here with a link, the same as Leah D. I don't think my post was nowhere near offensive to be deleted, so where is my post?
Get Togetha Blog - your blog is nice. BTW, have you ever seen the "Pioneer woman" blog? It's a hoot.
The brooch usage by Mrs. O is so flattering. I have pulled out my pins from years and years ago now that I see the way Mrs. O uses her jewelry.
@Hyde Parker - I think you are absolutely right about that being 3 small brooches worn together. The look totally works because of their similarity and the asymmetrical neckline. Great catch!
Mimi, I'm sorry about that. Your comment had somehow been routed into the Spam box - back now!
SUBJECT: False Eyelashes?
I was just thumbing through the inagural photos once again. In her most lovely (on photographs anyways) makeup looks, it seems like she has on false eyelashes, which are so much in style again, and approachable due to the individual lashes now available.
Does anyone else have any thoughts on this? Do you think she wears them on occasion? It looked like it on inaguration day, for sure. I really like it when she glams up on the makeup.
Yes allison, that's come before. I believe the general consensus was that Mrs O does wear them for special occasions. As, indeed, do I!
As for all this school holiday malarkey, I'm missing Mrs O's stylish forays very much. Roll on the visit to Buck House!!
... come up before....
Hi Posh Tater,
What does the British press think of Mrs. O's style?
Hi Bevi,
All good, that I've read. Which doesn't say a lot, I guess. If it's in a paper I don't read then I'm not a representative view! But, what articles I have read are very positive. Commentators applaud her for using different designers, for being an ambassador for US fashion, and for styling herself with such a deft hand. Very rarely do articles mention her style without making reference to intelligence, confidence, professionalism and how articulate she is. I'm impressed by that - I don't like press that separates style from substance, it's time women were recognised as whole entities. They also are clear that her style is her own and that she's evolved it - that it's not a bought recent veneer.
I will interested to see what the press will be like when they visit this coming week!
PTx
Where is Mrs. O this week that we've had such a dearth of new photos and news? I'm having withdrawals!!!
We're going to have so much fun to pay attention to next week, though. We should appreciate this break!
I've just posted a new article to help us pass the time!
But I agree with Christina, I imagine next week will be a BIG week. If Mrs. O is resting up, perhaps we should too. Heh.
She's being mom-in-chief while the girls are off school I'm assuming...
This lady is in great shape. Look at her arms,sleek and strong. Look at those leg's!! muscles bulging above her
kneecap. And we all saw her man with the six pack. This is
a beautiful intelligent healthy family. I'm a white boy from
Nova Scotia, and I'm so proud and glad to be alive to see this family in the W.House. So should we all.
Don't think she has great style and certainly is not a Jackie Kennedy--the red and black dress is ugly..and the purple print number she wore at the church service on inauguration day, was the worst....Suits during the day with long waisted coat...is what she needs to go for..Forget the print dresses from T.J. Maxx...
1. She is not Jackie O, and never will be.
2. Her taste is horrible, and not suitable for her position.
3. This is not party time, or fashion week. She should be dressed very conservatively, and focus attention on all of the people who are hurting so much right now.
4. She and her husband need to stop partying and flying off to Camp David every weekend. He needs to be in the Oval Office working 80 hours a week like all of the corporate types he and she so despise but aspire to in terms of wealth and lifestyle. We are in an emergency situation ,and he needs to be stressing, not dressing up.
5. Overly ambitious, mediocre abilities covered up by bling and BS--that is the legacy of the "urban" American culture.
Mrs, Obama should have worn a suit when she met the Queen and Prince Philip. She was dressed way too casual for the
occasion. And she forgot to curtsy! She does have a great sense of style, sensible and classy! We love her!