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)
The sort of loose drape of that black dress (link posted by Ari) looks very much like some of the things I saw at Maria Cornejo's slide shows (style.com).
And another one of her talking at Miriam's Kitchen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUVe9SF-RKw&feature=related
Here she is talking at Miriam's Kitchen when she wore Issac Mizrahi with her J.crew sweater:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUVe9SF-RKw&feature=related
A very nice piece about her family:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8h9V92TN5g&feature=related
And here is a link to the full Ebony Magazine profile and interview on her. This was I think the best article done on her. It gave you some info about her personality through her longtime friends, family members and former co-workers along with another interview with her mom:
http://books.google.com/books?id=OdMDAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=ebony&client=firefox-a&source=gbs_summary_r&cad=0_0#PPA72,M1
I've got to come to Robin Givhan's defense! (not that she can't take care of herself.)
1. She knows clothes & what clothes say about the wearer & the watcher & the time. She knows politics and she knows Washington politics, so -- what she said (what little Larry King let her say, that is) is very, very realistic. She's not saying that those who've been Michelle fans all along will change their minds. She's talking about "celebrity" and there is nothing quite so ripe for being brought down than "political celebrity".
It always happens. Be prepared for it. (Who can forgot the absurd picture painted of her during the campaign by Barack's political enemies? Those people have not gone away (Hello, trolls!).
2. What she meant (I think) in her little New Yorker piece about Michelle's arms (vanity) was that those arms reflect hard work. It wasn't criticism.
3. She won her Pulitzer for a brilliant piece on Cheney. Remember when he wore that parka to the memorial at Auschwitz when every other man was respectfully dressed in a dress coat?
PS - darn, I wish you had Preview....
http(colon)//magazine(dot)wsj(dot)com/
I do not intend to start a Desiree Rodgers bashing session. But I don't know how I feel about this cover and article. Apparently Robert Gibbs had to nix a more flashy outfit that Rodgers wanted to wear. Thank goodness for Gibbs.
And then the actual article..."Obama Brand?" We all know that the Obamas can sell almost anything, but to speak about it in the way she did, it sounds so vain and calculating. Some things are better left unsaid. Equating them to a Dove product is strange. The whole piece - from the cover to the article - is very self-serving and I don't see how it does anything for the Obamas.
I hope Mrs. O reads the piece and tells Desiree to chill out. Something about the piece didn't sit well with me. Mr. O and his team are usually very discreet about how they operate. This article with Desiree just put it out there - she's branding them.
As an ardent Obama supporter, I didn't like the vibe of the article. Some things are better left unsaid and done behind the scenes.
Ok this is my last post for the day. I know I look kinda crazy putting up all these links but if any of you out there are like me, you enjoy hearing from Michelle and learning about who she is, what she's doing in her new historical role and are truly inspired by her.
Anyways, Michelle's full Oprah interview is now available online and I thought it would be a nice weekend read if any of you didn't pick up the issue.
Here's the link:
http://www.oprah.com/article/omagazine/20090223-orig-michelle-obama-oprah
I hope everyone enjoys the rest of their weekend.
Spot on IVA! I too was simply appalled by the WSJ article-
I've always had my reservations about Ms. Rogers; There's always been the sense that she seemed to be so intent on self-promotion. It seems to be really all about Desiree Rogers pushing Desiree Rogers-
She craves the limelight and will stop at nothing even taking credit for work done by others - This very bogus claim about "branding" is not only silly, but incredibly insulting and demeaning to the Obama's-
Articles such as this divulging every behind the scene detail should really have waited till after the Obama's are out of office -
Key Obama allies and staff who have really worked their butts off since the campaign period must be horrified by this silly, flippant and extremely self-serving woman!
She clearly lacks the discretion and restraint crucial for this relatively mundane role.
The lack of of finesse, class and real savvy is simply mindblowing.
@Audrey - I was always very open minded about Desiree and defended her when people talked about how "out there" she is. I didn't mind her popping up in pictures, and doing interviews where she discussed her role in abstract terms, or her relationship to the Obamas...but this article is on a whole other level. If she wanted it to be purely biographical (since the majority of it was) that's one thing. But to discuss the Obamas as if they are her product that she has created and is marketing, is demeaning, tacky, and narcissistic. She's clearly forgetting herself.
We all know each White House controls their messaging and image - from Bush and his ranch to Bill Clinton being just a charming, likeable country guy, it's known that presidents play up their strong attributes. Ms. Rogers didn't need to be so flippant, as you so rightly put it. Very disappointed in her lack of tact. Seems to me like she's planning her post-Obama presidency move.
There is a comment from Jane: "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?".
China has been bought by almost ALL First Ladies from funds raised by donors. All First Ladies buy china as well as crystal, including Jackie Kennedy who bought crystal from our beautiful state of West Virginia. A set of all of these beautiful china is on permanent display at the White House and the china/crystal is used during state dinners and affairs as well as by the First Family in their private residence(s). All Presidents decide on the decor of the Oval Office including the design of the Oval Office rug. The completion of these rugs take a very long time due to the shape and sometimes due to the personal designs of the President/First Lady. There is an exquisite tape from C-Span on the White House history that is very good and informative. It is sold at a very reasonable price. The White House is an extraordinary monument!
I didn't care for the WSJ article either because now articles may not be written with the greatest of intentions by journalists, but I'm sure that the administration in the West Wing and Mrs. O's staff are on top of all this. I have no hate for Desiree, but I do wish the details of what she was doing were left for the last few months before the Obamas left the White House or thereafter. Now is not the time I think. Work hard behind the scenes like Valerie Jarrett and then reveal your secrets. I do adore Valerie's discretion and I do believe in the White House, Valerie Jarrett is THE most valuable person for both Michelle and the President.
I'm not too worried because if there are Desiree missteps, Desiree will learn fast how her actions could unknowingly effect Michelle and the White House in the media. Plus, I found out that Desiree and Valerie Jarrett live in the same apartment building in Georgetown and they and the First Lady do things together all the time. We don't see the photos, but they all go out quite a bit like they did in Chicago. I just think some things should be held back to keep ammunition away from political enemies with this administration being so new and people waiting for problems to arise.
I did some reading and the social secretary for Jackie Kennedy (Leticia Baldridge I think) was very "out there" in the press. Leticia was always in photos with Mrs. Kennedy and accompanied the First Lady to all the events and in travelling and to all the functions--Leticia was everywhere!. So this is not without precedent. It was just a dry spell there during the Bush years that now Desiree seems to be out of the norm. But you didn't see Desiree in Europe with Michelle, and Leticia was the constant travelling companion for Jackio Kennedy.
There are so many advisers at the White House that even when I had a weird feeling about the WSJ, I feel assured that there are brilliant people in the WH that felt the same way as I. And I feel comfortable knowing that Michelle has known Desiree for over 20 years and knew her when Desiree was fighting breast cancer (in the WSJ article, it said Desiree has had multiple breast surgeries) and that they are close. On the administrative side, there are tons of people to monitor press releases and articles and make adjustments where appropriate.
The administration won't be perfect and will make mistakes, but overall they're doing great and will make adjustments where needed.
@Janelle - I, too, love Valerie Jarratt. She was interviewed after the press conference and she was just so well spoken and all around on point. She has a more substantive role, so I suppose that is why she keeps a lower profile, but she just strikes me as a modest person anyway. To me, the worse part of the WSJ piece was the cover shot that screamed - DIVA. It was certainly pretty, but just out of place with what the Obamas are all about.
I understand IVA...
It's true about white house messaging and imaging...and the white house has an army of savvy communications persons charged with executing this without this seemingly pedestrian and self-serving push by Ms. Rogers-
Valerie Jarrett like Jannelle points out is simply a class act and genuinely cares for and looks out for the Obama's...Her love and support for them is unquestionable and shines through in the very rare times she's been out there-
Valerie never talks about herself or takes credit for anything even though the Obama's have been unequivocal about how important and indispensable she is to them - She's even been described as Obama's other brain...
Jackie Norris, Mrs O's Chief of Staff, a savvy, brilliant and impeccable woman who's been supremely empowered by the Obama's since the campaign remains happily behind the scenes, discreetly but effectively marshalling a clear role for the first lady while building a solid foundation for Mrs O's time as first lady-
These people are recognised even without seeking out the media, for their tangible & powerful roles in the Obama's lives...
But most importantly these others understand discretion, something Ms Rogers clearly lacks...
Mrs O and the President went out to dinner here in DC tonight. There are pics at:
http://www.daylife(dot)com/photo/0cWYeZw79jcUO?q=Michelle+Obama
Mrs O and the President went out to dinner here in DC tonight. There are pics at:
www(dot)daylife(dot)com/photo/0cWYeZw79jcUO?q=Michelle+Obama
@ Audrey,
Totally agree with your comments on discretion. I like Desiree, but even though she is friends with Michelle, if she becomes a liability, she will not remain. That's why I thought to myself that there's probably a bunch of people at the White House thinking the same as me after reading the article. As you mentioned, Mrs. O's staff including Jackie Norris are pretty savvy and brillant but they have one thing else going for them...knowledge of Washington and politics. Some of Michelle's staff worked for Hillary Clinton. The press was brutal during the transition questioning why so little new blood was picked for the White House. Well, Desiree's lack of discretion in this WSJ article proves that...new blood can be a catch 22---you may get good new ideas/great events at the WH but you can get political missteps too. Desiree will learn, and if she doesn't I won't lose sleep over it. Friend or no friend, the office of the Presidency is bigger than any one person.
I was just thinking about my own group of friends, there's the discreet one, the "out there" fashionable extrovert, etc. that sometimes puts her foot in her mouth even though I love her to death. All have strengths and weaknesses, but the White House is the big time and is like no other place on earth. The strongest seat of power. Not everyone employed there sees that right away.
Knowing that Valerie Jarrett, Jackie Norris, and Rahm Emmanuel are close by dealing with image issues and staff issues, I know things will be okay even though I disliked the WSJ article.
I think Valerie Jarrett is one of my favorites at the WH, besides the Obamas, just because of the way she carries herself. I think when you're discreet, it's a given that you're secure within yourself and powerful. I respect modest, behind the scenes people a lot more. When you have power, you don't have to announce it, it's understood.
@ IVA
YOu said everything I was thinking about the Desiree article but didn't bother to type out. I echo your sentiments about Desiree's article in the WSJ magazine. MY first reaction when I saw the picture was, "Oh no, she didn't." It seemed too model-ish, covergirl type and "Look at me." It was almost like a high fashion cover shoot. I thought she would be more discreet. I have read many people on this site complain about how spotlight-hungry she is. Each of those times, I have tried to give Desiree the benefit of the doubt. But in this situation, even I couldn't disagree with them.
Yes, the whole reference to the Obamas as a brand defies everything the administration is trying to accomplish. As a marketerer and business woman, I know we all brand ourselves, other people and products. But coming out to spell it like that is just in poor taste. Frankly, the picture and the captions were so off putting that I decided not to read the article.
Even though it is alleged that Gibbs discouraged her from one flashy outfit, this outfit that she had on was flashy too.
Forgot to add that I like the pictures of the Obamas coming back from dinner. It's so nice that they keep up date night. They look so comfortable together. It wasn't a glammed up night but they look nice--that's how I look going to dinner with my husband. The crisp, white shirt with pulled up collar was nice, as well as the turquoise clutch.
I read a few days ago that Mrs. O said she's either at basketball or soccer practice ALL day on Saturdays with the girls. But she still has time to bond with her husband and it's very important to them both whether she's dressed up or not.
She's not a slave to fashion...family time comes first. Just love me some Michelle!
@ Janelle
You said: "...it’s very important to them both whether she’s dressed up or not."
Are those your words or is that what she said? Confused about that part.
Thanks for the info Donna! Can't go wrong with black pants and a crisp white shirt! Her shoes are very pretty. There is a nice full length close up picture if you keep going through the various pictures.
I know Mr. O wasn't quite enchanted by the troops, but I'm sure walking through such beautiful grounds at such an amazing, historic place, as POTUS, with the woman of his life, as FLOTUS, is quite enchanting.
And here's the website for the restaurant they went to. It's called Citronelle in Georgetown. It looks different, that's for sure. www(dot)citronelledc(dot)com/index)dot)cfm
@ Mrs. A,
Sorry, I should of had quotes somewhere in there. Regarding that sentence you referenced, she did say before that spending time together with her husband was important than other things, but the part of whether she's glammed or not was just my personal observation.
@ IVA,
Oh, I just saw more photos and the closeup of the shoes--beautiful shoes! I've never seen them before and really dress the outfit so nicely. Also saw more photos of them walking the grounds...really stunning scenery in the evening. The prettiest "park" to take a stroll.
But I'm loving those shoes and the popped white collared shirt.
@ Mrs. A - it's not just the outfit, for me it was the pose. Fierce as it was, it was just too much for what she is supposed to represent - the Obamas. I really don't want to keep discussing the article because it just defies logic that she'd do what she did, and the more I think about it, the more I just shake my head in disbelief that she'd play it so poorly. But, as JANELLE wrote, she's new to D.C. and presidential politics, so the mistake is forgivable. Hopefully she will learn. She cannot slip up like this again, or they will drop her, as they should. This is the big leagues.
And I think Janelle was referring to the fact that on numerous occasions Mr. and Mrs. O have talked about how important it is for them to have "date night."
@Janelle - yes those shoes are new to my knowledge, and I just love them. Very sexy and complimentary to the chic outfit. They remind me of a pair I bought a few summers ago - her's are much sharper, though.
I also like the little burst of color with the purse. Mrs. O never usually carries a purse, so it will be amazing if you manage to track down the designer, Mrs. T!
I watched the King show the other night. I can see where people would think Robin Givhan's remark was on the negative side, but really, during the course of the show, she was overwhelmingly positive, as were, thankfully, all the guests. Patti Davis even said her mother, Nancy Reagan, liked Mrs. Obama. I think Givhan was just sort of backed into the corner with that question, the way King asked it, "Do you see any defects?"
She gave a journalists' answer, trying to be pragmatic and objective, I thought, saying that Mrs. Obama was an inspiration to people around the world, but that that could have it drawbacks. As I said, she was very flattering and positive the rest of the show.
That clip, incidentally, has blessedly been edited down by an intelligent hand, for the better. King got off on this bizarre line of questioning about Mrs. O wearing hats. "Shouldn't she wear hats," he asked, I believe, Ms. Givhans (it might've been one of the others he asked). No, she said, Mrs. O has her own style, and she couldn't really see her wearing a hat. Not content to let it go, he turns to Patti Davis, who's in studio, and says, "Don't you think she should wear hats? Your mother wore hats beautifully." Patti, too, said, no she shouldn't, unless she wanted to, and regarding her mother wearing hats, said, "No, not that much."
It just seemed to indicate what an old man Larry King is. The last first lady I remember wearing a hat was Jackie, although probably Lady Bird did and I just don't remember. But that was 50 years ago, Larry. Jeez.
Here's the portion of CNN's transcript about the hat line of questioning:
KING: Andre, as a fashion expert, is there anything you would advise her to wear that she's not wearing?
TALLEY: Absolutely not. I would not advise Michelle. She needs no advice. She is doing it all on her own. She loves fashion. She feels like she wants to wear a sweater, she wears a sweater. By the way, those sweaters are practical, because she sometimes goes in and out of climates where sometimes it's warm, sometimes it's not. She needs to cover up.
I think it's a great uniform for her. She's made it modern again to have a sweater. And a sweater is a very classic garment for a woman to wear. She does no wrong in my book. I think she looked great in Europe. The way she embraced the queen of England and the queen of England embraced her, that was history itself.
KING: Robin, anything you would advise the first lady? Like would you say, wear hats?
GIVHAN: I think the very last thing I would say to her would be to get involved in millinery. I think you can only get in trouble.
KING: However, I have a theory, and I'll introduce myself into this, Robin. I think most ladies look good in hats.
GIVHAN: I think we have to remember what we have been sort of applauding her for, which is her authenticity and her ability to wear things that speak to her. I've yet to see her in anything on her head.
KING: Even on Inaugural Day, she didn't wear a hat?
DAVIS: No. I completely disagree with that.
KING: Your mother wore hats beautifully.
DAVIS: Not all the time.
KING: I understand. OK.
DAVIS: Not much.
KING: Again they rack me down.
DAVIS: Maybe one.
GIVHAN: Enough with the hats.
KING: All right. Forget the hats.
(The Maxim item was cute—and unexpected, given the source!)
Look at the shoes she wore for the Stevie Wonder affair at the white house and compare them to the shoes worn in these pictures. Are they the same shoe?:
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/85117631/Getty-Images-News?axd=DetailPaging.Generic|1&axs=0|85253387%2c85116471%2c85114706%2c85114528%2c85114454%2c85333605%2c85333594%2c85333590%2c85333586%2c85333579%2c85333575%2c85333572%2c85333570%2c85333568%2c85333566%2c85333563%2c85333560%2c85333541%2c85333532%2c85333527%2c85333521%2c85333514%2c85333510%2c85333506%2c85333500%2c85333494%2c85333490%2c85333486%2c85333483%2c85333479%2c85333474%2c85333470%2c85333465%2c85333461%2c85333449%2c85118312%2c85118310%2c85118308%2c85118255%2c85118252%2c85118232%2c85118230%2c85118228%2c85118226%2c85118224%2c85118222%2c85118221%2c85118220%2c85118217%2c85118185%2c85117653%2c85117640%2c85117631%2c85117629%2c85117627%2c85117625%2c84366299%2c84357527%2c84355488%2c84353797|0
The WSJ reporter appeared to let Desiree hang herself out to dry. It will be interesting to see how this plays out in other media outlets tomorrow and beyond. I was also trying to withhold an opinion on Desiree, but her posing and her characterization of the Obamas as branding entities seemed to me to be a bizarre tack to take.
Valerie is a lovely and classy lady - I wonder if she will have a behind the scenes role to play in redirecting Desiree's energies. There will no doubt be fallout coming from the Obama's detractors, and that's unfortunate because they have to deal with a public relations faux pas on a regular basis - I guess it comes with the job.
Janelle, you made an interesting point about the strengths and weaknesses of a circle of friends. Desiree obviously has qualities that appeal to the Obamas; she has created a sphere of influence and she seems very organized - well, she must be with her background. She has spunk and a survivor's strength. And Michelle must love having close friends nearby and accessible - didn't Michelle introduce Valerie to POTUS a long time ago?
Anyway, I hope Desiree's evolution works out so she puts herself in the best possible position to be an asset to the Obama team.
On another note, MO's date night blouse is spectacular. What a great yet simple look.
Mrs T has a new thread started on the "Evening Stroll"
I haven't seen the Larry King interview. I just wanted to mention that I"m a big fan of Robin Givhan and have been reading her for years. I don't agree with everything she writes, but I think she's provocative and intelligent.
Bee Gee, thank you so much for posting the Maria Cornejo 2007 Spring link! Those outfits are awesome; I was drooling.
@ Emily: It just seemed to indicate what an old man Larry King is.
Hi Emily. Yep, he's up there, but getting up there myself (in my 60s), I enjoy watching him now and then. Sure he can be out of touch, but I found that whole interchange quite charming, light and funny, and while the women were startled at the hat comment, they responded well and Patti Davis lobbed it right back to him and everyone had a good chuckle.
Speaking of hats, didn't SJP wear hats sometimes in SATC? I don't agree with Larry that most women look good in them, but it's a fashion option. MO is very tall though, and a hat would add even more height.
Ari: Thank you for the video link that had Mrs O in the black halter dress and sunglasses...I remember seing it once but never could remember where - She looked absolutely ravishing! Very sexy!
Elaine B: I too think Larry King is rather fun to watch even if he dabbles in a bit of mischief every so often...and I'm not even age compatible...LOL.
I thought Patty was great and Leon too...
Having watched and read the very dour Ms. Givhan quite a bit, I'm yet to be convinced that she possesses any more than just an average and sometimes even mediocre ability deciphering and articulating fashion, style, politics or anything else for that matter...
Marachne: Thanks for the heads up on the roots profile; it was lovely to read the various perspectives of each of the very different personalities -
I can't believe no one thinks this dress makes Mrs. O looks pregnant. Especially a few years ago I don't think she could have taken the chance of rumors getting started.