Mrs. O Odds and Ends
Friday, May 1, 2009 at 5:51 PM As the week comes to a close, we thought we'd highlight a few of our favorite stories from the past few days. #1 Mrs. O has been named to Time magazine's list of the Most Influential People in the World. Under the "Heroes and Icons" category, Mrs. O is tributed by another O, Oprah Winfrey. Oprah succinctly sums up the most perfect observations about Mrs. O. The full piece is worth a read, but one of our favorite passages follows:
The woman I witnessed five years ago, with her graciousness, care and attention to detail, is the same woman I visited in the White House in February. Her very presence makes you feel welcome. Her political power is secondary to her heart power, and I salute her for that. I trust her. I know that whatever she gives her attention to, the truth will always be present. She doesn't make false moves.
#2 Not only is Mrs. O influential, she's officially beautiful. The First Lady was also named to People magazine's Most Beautiful People of 2009 issue. #3 In doing research for our work-in-progress Mrs. O book, we came across this photo, which we believe was taken in 2007. Mrs. O was backstage with The Second City comedians after a performance of Between Barack and a Hard Place in Chicago. 
What really caught our eye, we have to admit, is Mrs. O's dress. While we've seen Mrs. O in tailored jackets by Maria Cornejo, this is the first we've seen Mrs. O in a dress from her line - the Ita dress. We would love to see this dress make a White House encore! #4 Speaking of Maria Cornejo, she is one of several of designers lobbying for much deserved copyright protection. Click here for a NYMag article on the effort. #5 A bit of intel by way of Chicago, thanks to Mrs. C, Marcia Coburn. Several of you have inquired about Mrs. O's black windbreaker, worn when Bo made his debut on the White House lawn. Mrs. C visited Ikram this week and reports that the jacket is Sonia Rykiel. Finally we'll leave you with a video from last night's Larry King Live, which featured Robin Givhan and Andre Leon Talley talking about Mrs. O's influence. Have a great weekend everyone!
Sonia Rykiel, Zero + Maria Cornejo in Outfits
Reader Comments (84)
So I was completely wrong in thinking the windbreaker was from Land's End. Apologies to all. I was in Chicago recently and peeked in the window at Ikram, but was too intimidated to go in.
This black dress is lovely - I had never seen it before.
A side note -Ms. Sibelious' swearing in was on TV today and she looked smashing in a black dress, black suit jacket and brooch on her lapel.
Oops - Sibelius
I was was so thrilled when I found out that Mrs. O was featured in People's 100 most beautiful of the world list. Mrs O is breaking many barriers and helping to broaden the conception of beauty in America - and the world. I'm so glad!
I look forward to Mrs. O's appearance on Tuesday at the Time's Influential People Event. Indeed she has immense influence and the best thing about it is, she uses her influence to bring about positive change.
The tribute to Sojourner Truth is another event from this past week worth mentioning again. "I hope that Sojourner Truth would be proud to see me, a descendant of slaves, serving as the First Lady of the United States of America." Indeed she would be, Mrs. O! I felt like crying, because it just filled me with so much pride and joy to hear her say those words. I am so glad to be living in a time in which I can witness history unfold before my very eyes!
Hmm. I thought Robin Givhan was uneccessarily negative. Who says that we will "inevitably" be disappointed by Mrs O because we are enthusiastic about her now?! What we're all celebrating is the fact that she's authentic! She's hardly going to start being a false person now is she?! (A little cynicism goes a long way.)
Anyway, very interesting segment, Mrs T, thank you for finding and posting, and I loved the way that the other contributors really had a handle on Michelle and what she's up to.
Not keen on the black dress, but then I've had a rotten days shopping for a wedding outfit and I hate clothes. All of them. They are all beastly conniving things. Grr.
I love Michelle Obama as a woman who walked her fear of expectation of the public & critiqs out with her actions focused on her priorities her wishes & dreams with holding principals of Rose Universal Spirituality and people as children for every government & world as Global Family as I have lived it & am delighted for world leaders to follow! She is a powerful woman who is finding her path of passion!
Posh - too funny.
I completely feel your pain. I, too, went shopping for a wedding outfit just yesterday and just about had a nervous breakdown. I came back home, tore through my closet, and found a dress I bought in 1998 that I took to the tailor to shorten and reconstruct; I found a silk purse that my sister gave me 8 years ago that I never took out of its gift box. Ditto a pair of Isaac Mizrahi shoes that I got on deep discount sale, and a pashmina shawl that I bought for $20 that I never wore.
I just could not spend one more minute in another dressing room. I felt like
everything I tried on was conspiring against me. ;-))
Even in a large group of people Mrs. O stands out and shines with her decadent wardrobe and light-up-the-room smile. How can you resist her? :)
http://cafefashionista.blogspot.com
wall street journal just did a hatchet job on desiree rogers.
http://magazine.wsj.com/features/the-big-interview/desiree-rogers/
Posh Tater - I don't think there's a woman here who doesn't feel your pain! "Beastly conniving things" - that made me chuckle.
OK! I'm glad for the new post. The previous one is getting a little heated. I think MO looks cute in the Ita dress. Hope she wears it again.
I watched the Larry King interview and could not get a good read on R. Givhan. I really could not tell if she likes or dislikes MO. With all the 'political correctness' in the world now...it's sometimes hard to figure out where someone really stands.
Posh & Bevi, I'm sure you will look just lovely at your upcoming weddings! Have a good time!
Mrs. T,
Thank you for posting the video!
I missed it last night.
I kept looking at that photo (up above with the comedians) and was thinking the lady that Michelle has her arm around looks like President Obama's sister Maya and it IS Maya Soetoro-Ng and next to Maya is her husband Konrad Ng.
Ohhhh, toobee, just go away. But first, you're going to love this...Mrs. O was named #93 of MAXIM Magazines Hot 100.
I'm sure you'll appreciate that. Here's their comment:
"93. Michelle Obama
He may be dealing with two wars, an economic meltdown, and a rapidly graying dome, but at least our Commander in Chief gets to come home to the hottest First Lady in the history of these United States. (Sorry, Martha Washington!)"
www(dot)maxim(dot)com/girls/hot-100/79081/2009-hot-100-100-91(dot)html#8
Robin Givhan always gets a few digs in at Michelle. Remember that article she wrote about Michelle's arms? I think she said they were proof of her vanity. That is not the best word for being healthy. But, whatever, there are always people who have to hate.
As we all know, if we cant find clothes to fit, shoes and jewelry are always the right size!
I think it's a shame that she is willing to spend so much money on clothes,jewelry and shoes that are more than my house payments! & Yes I'm behind on and yes we struggle every day to make it! her shoes could have made one of my house payments then I wouldn't have to worry about my five children living on the street and it's not cause we are on food stamps or welfare cause we are not. my husband works for the railroad always gone to make a living and now we see none of it I think voting for Obama wose the worset mastake of my life!
wendy,
If ya'll are that bad off you can cancel your internet service provider - that will save you some money each month and you can always sell your computer for some extra money. If you are eligible for food stamps then I think you should sign up for some - President Obama got some extra money for the food stamp program into the last stimulus bill that Congress passed. Also, the tax cuts that Obama got through should also help you out some. Please don't blame Obama for the current economic mess that Bush left us with. Good luck and best wishes to you.
Robin Givhan is neither a lover nor a hater, at least not of Michelle Obama. She is a fashion critic who won the Pulitzer Prize for her work at the Washington Post. It is her job to have opinions.
wendy,
Please grow up and get a grip...Let me guess voting for Billionaire John McCain/Cindy McCain & Clothing Horse Sarah Palin would have helped make you feel much better. Mrs. Obama can spend her money however she pleases it's her "MONEY" not taxpayers. Would you prefer she dressed in rages to make your self esteem feel better.
Wendy,
Why do you have five children (three more than is responsible, given the state of the planet) when you are not financially secure enough to care for them? Why didn't you study in school ("wose the worset mastake") so you could get a better paying job?
The Obamas both worked like dogs all their lives and worked to put themselves thru school, now they are enjoying the fruit of that hard work. Good for them. Good for all of us who worked our tails off when our classmates were dropping out and goofing off, and then the latter complain years latter that we make more money than they do.
Wendy, you spelled mistake, mastake and the a is not near enough to the i on my keyboard to justify as a mistake.
If we can go back to the past first lady's with their Oscar de la Renta, we would think Michelle was spending pennies. And what does voting for Obama have to do with what Michelle wears.
Joane
Lets leave this topic of cost of cothes in the last topic.
And I just left out the l in clothes but I meant that. Haha. Anywho can we move on!!!!!!!!!! I am over this bickering.
Wendy,
You poor soul..wonder how you felt when Mrs. Bush was wearing Scaasi and Oscar...you poor soul. Perhaps cancelling your internet service would help with your situation?
Well -- let's be real here! Mrs. Obama as well as Mrs. Bush when she was First Lady, need to look GOOD and well dressed all the time. The reality is that all of the First Ladies spent a lot of money and will spend a lot of money in their clothes. The whole world expects that they dress appropriately and well. Everyone is interested in the life and the fashion of the First Ladies of the most powerful nation in the world. What are they supposed to do?
All recent Presidents and First Ladies and even some of their children have written books. The Reagans, the Carters, the Clintons, the Bushes all have written books. It just goes to show that the Obamas' are just like everyone else. Btw, the Bo book is by an author that has no ties to the Obamas --- and Patty Reagan was on Larry King pushing her book last night.
Please accept the fact that President Obama is now OUR PRESIDENT and Michelle is OUR First Lady (hopefully for the next EIGHT years).
tooboo,
Your so right the Obamas are just as opportunistic as the Bushes and Regan's were when they lived in the White House. Thank god Michelle slipped up on those ugly pricey shoes because otherwise she could have fooled a nation I tell you that Michelle is so tricky her kind is always looking for a hand out. Remember the good old days of Nancy Regan and her pricey dresses during those early rescission 80 years. Or loveable Laura who dressed Oscar de la renta while people drowned and starved to death in New Orleans.
Yes, tooboo Desiree and Michelle are just so opportunistic to have family live with them like normal families do in America. You do know Laura Bush mother lived with her at the White House off and on...What no you didn't know about that little truth.
First, I gotta say -- tooboo -- go back under the bridge where you belong.
On to lovelier things: The Root asked several " leaders, thinkers and talkers" to comment on the FLOTUS' impact in the first 100 days -- some of my favorite people (Lani Guinier, Donna Brazile) were among the commenters:
http://www.theroot(dot)com/views/michelle-obamas-first-100-days
southngirl1, toobee, tooboo, and wendy all showed up within hours of each other.
Please report any inappropriate comments made by them by clicking on the (report comment) link at the BOTTOM of their comments.
@ Leah D and Tia -- it's probably best not to "feed the trolls," as that is what they want. Better to just report their comments.
Spot on Christina! One and the same person the troll...And "Wendy" did not vote for Obama...just trying her hand at some lame and over used psychological warfare - pretending to be some disenchanted Obama supporter...
As for Robin Givhan, what can one say about this very miserable and seriously unhappy woman? Pullitzer prizes are no longer a good measure of quality, ability, or substance- Mediocrity has long infiltrated this once measure of superior work -
As irritatingly superficial, flimsy and fake as Ms. Givhan is, little wonder she clearly resents the fact that Mrs O never had to lose her authentic self to be embraced, appreciated and recognized by America and the world...It must hurt!
I love Oprah's write up on Mrs O; I also loved her close out write up in her "O" mag about her interview and visit with Mrs O...It was beautiful, heartfelt and so spot on-
Thanks to Mrs. T for cleaning up this stream. I am sorry you have to spend your time dealing with this nuisance. Hope you get to enjoy your weekend!
Hello everyone. Hmm... I see we've had a visitor. I know I've said this before, but we are looking into a long term solution in terms of site registration, etc. to prevent such attacks. Unfortunately it takes time, and won't happen immediately. Thanks everyone for your patience. I don't really know what to say about this situation except that it's sad and someone has too much time on their hands!
Er..just wondering why my comments have been deleted Mrs T?
I think it's good to erase responses to the troll, even if they are from "good" posters. Leaving traces just confuses everyone.
The O's went to an extra-curricular function for one of their daughters last night, but I could not find any photos -has anyone seen what MO wore?
@ That Other Mimi - Just yesterday as I read an article about the Lanvin sneakers, I thought the same thing - what if they were a gift from Mrs. Sarkozy? We heard that Mrs. O gave her the guitar, but we don't know what was given to Mrs. O? Those sneakers are apparently all the rage, and difficult to find. I can see them being a gift from the former model and fashion aficionado.
Either way, I stumbled across a bunch of Lanvin shoes, and my goodness they are sooo cute.
The comments are getting a bit uglier and uglier every day.
Let's focus on clothing and style and let's not address comments from some bloggers that seem to need a LOT of attention.
Totally agree with you MJMR!
@ IVA
I believe that if the Lanvin sneakers were a gift, the First Lady's office would have cleared that up by now. I'm sure she bought them herself and there is nothing wrong with that.
How I wish we could see pics of the O's attending the function last night.
I read on this site that the O's cannot accept gifts more than $25. Is that correct? Or is it that they are not allowed to give gifts more than $25. Can someone clarify? If this was indeed the case, then it is unlikely that these $540+ shoes was a gift.
Laura Bush spent 500,000 dollars on dishes, and nobody cared. That rug in oval office was expensive too, so were was the out raged? Cindy McCain dress in $600,000 for her out fit at the Republican convention, and you know what, who cared!
Good point, Mrs. A. At the end of the day, though, it doesn't matter how she got them, it was just a thought I had since they are made by a French designer and Mrs. O was just in France visiting Mrs. Sarkozy and exchanging gifts.
I imagine they can accept gifts from heads of state, etc. They probably cannot accept high value gifts from us "normal" people, though, or lobbyists and other similar groups.
Does anyone know where the Obama's are spending the weekend. It seems like other presidents were always at their personal homes (ranches) on the weekends. Athough I admit I never woke up on a Saturday and wondered, hmmm what is Laura Bush doing today but I do with Michelle.
The first Lady wore Lanvin before
http://www.mrs-o.org/?paged=34
I will answer my own question. They stay most weekends in DC. I found this on the Chicago Sun Times website.
"And on the family track, just to let you know, because everyone always asks, that we've never been better. The girls are happy and healthy. They love their school. They're making friends. They're getting good grades. They settled in on their typical week. I feel like I've never left Chicago.
Soccer on Saturday -- yes, I'm on a soccer field all day -- just like many of you.
Slumber parties -- we had about seven girls over, screaming and yelling. And we're shuttling kids back and forth to play dates, just like usual, although now my mom does a little more of the shuttling than I do. I'm glad to have her here. "
With a little luck this link will take you to the Maria Cornejo black dress from her 2007 Spring RTW collection that is on the photo:
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/slideshow/S2007RTW-ZERO/?loop=0&iphoto=27&play=false&cnt=30
If it doesn't work, go to style.com and fine Maria Cornejo's 2007 Spring RTW collection. It is #28 in the slideshow.
Re her wearing Lanvin, the chiffon shell that she wore in the Earth Day planting photo (I believe that was the occasion) was also Lanvin.
Hey guys,
Check out this cnn video of Barack during the campaign. There's a moment when it looks like Michelle walked out of a car toward a restaurant with him and she was in a very sexy backless black dress with shades on. I think it was during the summer last year. I wonder who designed that. Very hot look. Her appearance is around the 0:58 second mark.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzM6XCisBcI&feature=related