Thursday
Mar262009
While We Wait for Mrs. O's Return
Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 11:33 AM 
Image via Flickr user Lawyer Mom [Steph] / Creative Commons
...we thought we'd go back in time once more. Above is a photograph taken in August 2008, as Mrs. O hosted a roundtable event with military families in Norfolk, VA. The photo caught our eye, lovely in its own right, but also because of the trio of beaded brooches Mrs. O wears at the collar of her crochet knit cardigan. We've recently learned and wanted to share the origin of said brooches: once again, Moschino!
Onto a few "must-reads": Jason Wu was in London this week for a dinner hosted by Net-a-Porter's Natalie Massenet. Bot Grazia and Vogue U.K. were on the case and have subsequently run short interviews worth a read.
In Grazia, Jason Wu speaks of his design ethos:
"I've never been trendy and I don't design trendy things. I design for real women, older women with feminine bodies. And I want my pieces to be relevant in 30 years' time."
And in Vogue U.K., he weighs in on the now infamous Sleeve-gate:"I was amazed by that - was it really an issue? I mean, we're not living in the past - and it wasn't as if there was a high split in her skirt or she was showing cleavage."
Finally, we'll leave you with a short video of highlights from Charlie Rose's recent interview with Valentino, Giancarlo Giammetti and Matt Tyrnauer, Director of the newly released film "Valentino: The Last Emperor". The full interview, well worth viewing, can be seen here.
Reader Comments (34)
Looks like the older lady in the back was also wearing a crocheted-sweater-in-black look. Sans the beaded pins. By the way, there's WAY more elegant beaded and metal work out there made by everyday folks. Look on Etsy or for local jewelry-maker guild shows.
Mrs T - thanks so much for posting this V interview - I have been waiting for it to appear on CR ever since Cathy Horyn mentioned it in her 'On the Runway' blog last week - but alas, I must have missed the broadcast.
So happy to you have posted the entire interview right here -you have made my day.
Cant wait to see the film as soon as it opens here in LA.
Not so in love with the multiple-brooch look. Just the yellow one would have been fine. I really disliked the multiple brooches on the red and purple dress...way too busy!! Mrs. Y. is right...there are more attractive brooches out there. Just got some beautiful Faberge repros at the Metropolitan Museum.
waiting to see what Mrs. O wore last night -- WARNER THEATRE and NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WOMEN IN THE ARTS (where tickets were over 30K per couple)...
ella,
I have not heard that Michelle went with the President. What have you heard?
The last I heard was that Michelle and the girls are still at Camp David on spring break.
ella, are you certain Mrs. O was in attendance? I've read the article about Tony Bennett singing her praises, but it wasn't clear if the First Lady was there.
Here is the article I was referring to:
http://briefingroom.thehill.com/2009/03/26/tony-bennett-sings-michelle-obamas-praises/
According to the Politico calendar the President attended two fund raisers last night alone (for about 30 minutes each) and then returned back to the White House by himself. There was no mention of Michelle being with him.
President Obama is heading back to Camp David (tomorrow) Friday evening - so the gals are still there.
I like the triple brooches. I blanked out the outside two and the result looked a bit dowdy.
Ella-I was wondering where Michelle was-the WH is being real quiet about it. But when they announced that she and the president were heading off they said for the weekend!!! Where did you hear she's staying for the week??? If so, they probably didn't want anyone to know. I just thought she was doing what she did at the beginning in January-laying low with the girls while they're on spring break. They are sly!
Mrs O and the First Girls are at the Camp David retreat for the spring break. The President attended the fundraisers alone. Tony Bennett was just being appreciative of Mrs O's charitable work.
From the SunTimes
Michelle Obama taps Chicago's Johnny Wright as her White House hair dresser
http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2009/03/michelle_obama_taps_chicagos_j.html
p.s. She will be paying for his services - not the White House.
Mrs. O's priorities continue to be the girls...Hurriyet reported she will travel with the president in Europe only until April 6th-not going with him to Turkey where he will be on the until april 7th. I really admire her dedication to the girls-she said she didn't want to leave them for so long and they would be in school that Monday. She's amazing-they both are. This means we'll get to see her in London, France, Germany and the Czech Republic so that's plenty fashion news happening there. I can't wait to see what she wears when she visits the Queen with her husband.
I feel that in general Mrs. O's taste in jewelry is not as sophisticated as her taste in clothes. There are indeed more interesting pieces to be found in local sales (the kind where "everyday" jewelry designers join forces for a day or a weekend), as Mrs. Y indicates above. But on a higher level, and more appropriate as matches for the designers she wears, are one-of-a-kind art pieces by high-end designers who function more as "artist studios." This kind of jewelry might not be available in boutiques, even one as smart as Ikram in Chicago. What Mrs. O has been wearing is quite "commercial". . . a long way from the art she deserves.
I've always liked this look. I think she read to some small children the day she wore this outfit, right?
Thanks for all the latest info on Mrs. O! I was hoping she
had some down time with the girls before the trip abroad.
Even with your very own Air Force One, assistants and staff...it can sometimes be a grueling trip. Can't wait to
see all the fashion!!
Here's the full story on Mr. Wright from the Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/25/AR2009032503789.html?hpid=topnews&sid=ST2009032601812
She's not his first First Lady!
Loveeeeee this site, slow news week but once again MrsT rose up to the challenge.
Hey, that's me talking to Mrs. O! I was very impressed with her outfit and its versatility. That night she attended a fundraiser and took the sweater and leggings off and just wore the black dress with peep toe heels. She looked great.
And yes, right before this she was reading and playing with pre-schoolers.
I miss the First Lady! Am so looking forward to their trip and encounters with the Queen, the Sarkozys! Beautiful settings, interesting interactions, serious business. President Obama's trips always have me on the edge of my seat.
I saw the CRose show with Valentino when it aired and it was very intriguing to see that couple interact and talk about their lives. Will definitely see the film.
Thanks, Mrs. T.
Meta-I miss the First Lady too-checking out her outfits and hair. I know that sounds shallow but there it is. She's such an inspiration to me and her calm dignified manner really seem puts a nice stamp on the WH Imo. I'm sooo looking forward to seeing her with the president in England. I must admit I was disappointed to hear she would leave him early and not go to Turkey with him,(I was thinking dang, Michelle it's just one and a half more days, the girls will be fine with grandma, they're great girls!) I understand she doesn't like leaving them for so long. But her hubby needs her too! It's a quandary and I feel her anxiety. We will get to see her bring her wonderful beautiful presence to France, England, Germany and the Czech Republic though. That's better than nothing and I can't wait to see what she wears!!!!
Lawyer Mama, how LUCKY you are. I have always wanted to meet Mrs. O. I hope someday I will get the chance.
And yes, I really miss seeing Michelle out and about, though of course I know she is a Mom first and needs to be with her girls. I guess we have been spoiled by her very frequent appearances in the past weeks. I hope we get to see her soon. At this point, I really don't even care what she wears. I would even love to her in the St. Patrick's day work boots!
Mrs. T, I do really like your flashback posts though. I think it would be fun to reminisce over some "Greatest Hits" from outfits past, like the red Maria Pinto column dress worn to visit the White House.
I was also thinking about that Maria Pinto red dress from Michelle's initial visit to the WH. I'd love to see Michelle wear that dress again. I wonder if some outfits don't ever get recycled. I'd love to see the Narcisso Rodriquez black and camel ensemble from the Lincoln Memorial Concert again. Are these memorable outfits destined for one airing only?
Michelle must be back! Her office just released her commencement speech schedule-http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2009/03/michelle_obama_9.html
She is going to give a speech at Merced-those kids had been begging her to come!
I wonder how she could release this unless she's at the White House right??? She must be there.
Oops I was wrong. Michelle and the girls are at Camp David as you all said, Gibbs just said Obama's going to join them there this pm as they FINISH up spring break, they'll be back Sunday afternoon, the girls have school monday.
davesokol-
Michelle and the girls are at Camp David and Barack is heading back there later today.
Michelle has offices in the East Wing of the White House with a pretty big staff and I am sure they still work while she is away such as setting up future events for her and press releases. Michelle also stays in contact with her office via blackberry/phone/computer.
WASHINGTON (CNN) — First Lady Michelle Obama will deliver the commencement speeches at two graduations this spring, the White House announced Friday. She will deliver a speech to the University of California-Merced's senior class on May 16 and to high school graduates of the Mathematics Science Technology Public Charter School in Washington, DC on June 3.
davesoko1-
I'm sorry, I did not see your second comment until after I posted mine.
Leah-yeah I just corrected myself above you. Thanks. I miss her.
Okay, since we are in a down time on news regarding Michelle I thought I'd post this here for those of ya'll interested in the politics of Michelle -- this is not about fashion but it does have to do with Michelle Obama and all future first ladies.
At the bottom of the article on the link there is a very long video - Discussion of the first ladies' amendment begins at about the 10:57 mark:
http://www.politico.com/blogs/joshgerstein/0309/GOP_transparency_push_seen_as_attack_on_Michelle_O.html
In my opinion I don't think that the democrats and Barack and Michelle are going to let this thing pass without a fight. I am furious that the republicans are trying to pass this now that Michelle is in the White House.
I agree with Edwina that it would be great to see the camel and black number pulled out for Europe. My friend in Prague tells me that the Czech Republic is all a-flutter about the visit. I wonder if Michelle and her stylists are already working on outfits for the trip - they must be, yes?
Leah D - I am furious about this legislation. I've read that it was initially drafted in anticipation of Bill Clinton being the "first lady" if Hillary had won. Ok...I get it. But Hillary didn't win. Michelle did and she has done nothing that would require disclosure of her meetings, etc. It's really inappropriate, IMO, under the current circumstances. Mrs. O has been a perfect First Lady, and the Republicans are threatened. And they want to get under the President's skin...this is about provoking him and distracting him.
@ Bevi - Of course they are getting prepared for the trip. I imagine outfits are being planned, they're being briefed on the culture and the expectations of them in these various foreign places. I cannot wait to see them beaming and bringing our American energy overseas! I am praying and hoping everything goes smoothly...especially the optics. The politics - that's up to Mr. O.
How could that sweater have been both crochet and knit?