A Black Belt in Corsetry
Monday, May 11, 2009 at 12:02 PM 
Image used with kind permission from Seedhouse / Peter Soronen
Last week, Mrs. O attended Time magazine's "100 Most Influential People" gala in New York, wearing a Michael Kors gown and corset belt by Peter Soronen.
While photographs highlighted the delicate folds of the front of the corset belt, little was revealed about the back. We're delighted to feature both views of the exquisite belt here; and indeed, the back view is quite telling. Many of you will recall that the waist-cinching lace-up detail is similar to the striking red corset gown, also by Peter Soronen, worn by the First Lady for the Alfalfa Club dinner in February.
Corsetry is a trademark of Peter Soronen's designs. In late March, he told the The National of his inspiration: "When I was a kid, I liked the silver-screen films and the characters' costumes were inspirational to me, especially in films such as Gaslight with Ingrid Bergman, and also Gone with the Wind. I was fascinated with watching period films, and saw the level of care and craftsmanship of the costumes, and what the corsets worn did to the overall look. So, I just had to make one, and tried to get girlfriends to wear them. They loved the pieces and I began to alter the patterns to fit the modern woman."
Peter Soronen in Outfits
Reader Comments (167)
A few weeks ago when President Obama was at the microphone he actually referred to Michelle as ' FLOTUS '.
POTUS, FLOTUS, SCOTUS, FDOTUS, and FGOTUS aren't going to be going into obscurity anytime soon, those acronyms are commonly used on the internet and used by reporters quite frequently.
Well, there's "tuxedo" and then there's the woman's "le smoking" (said in thick French accent) popularized by Yves San Laurent back in the '70s and showing a resurgence this year by many designers.
Re the tie. I noticed quite a few of the AA men wearing long ties Sat night.
This is kind of funny. Michelle's makeup artist, Ingrid Grimes-Miles does her makeup similar to the way she does her own. This is the first time I've seen her picture. The eyebrows part is what really gets me.
http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2009/05/michelle_obamas_makeup_artist.html
I agree with Janelle on the POTUS' tie. The sheen of it took it from a regular business tie to a more dressy tie. I thought it was appropriate. Now, I happen to love a nice bow tie on a man. My husband wears them regularly to church, weddings and other fuctions that require a nice suit. He has quite a collection (I have no idea how many--if I count them I will probably get mad lol) and gets complements on them all of the time. That being said, I find most men do not know how to tie them correctly and they end up looking a bit silly.
Ari--re Ingrid Grimes Miles. I read a previous interview with her where she stated that she loves a high arch to the eyebrow but when she started hearing all of the comments about MrsO's she tried to soften them a bit. She was not married to the look. I don't know. MrsO still seem a bit high to me.
Now, regarding the FLOTUS/POTUS comments the 1st time I ever heard the acronym was on West Wing. I assumed it was very common and like it as a shorthand, but still respectful way to refer to the 1st couple. What I do not like is people who call them "Michelle and Barack" like they are old pals. If you do not know them personally I think we should all be more respectful of their position. Even Valerie Jarrett (who was once MRsO's boss!) said she calls them by their title in public an din meeting, but by their first name in private which I think it the right tone. Because they are so down to earth and personable I think people feel like they know them and that "Michelle" is like their girlfriend.
Ok...enough of my soapbox! I have been struggling with that for a while, especially when I see people on this blog refer to the FLOTUS by her 1st name.
More info regarding this evening's event from Politico dot com:
Obamas to host jazz, poetry event
More than 100 people will be invited to the White House tonight to attend a jazz and poetry event with the Obamas.
Featured performers include James Earl Jones, Michael Chabon, Ayelet Waldman (Michael and Ayelet are married -- they are writers and of Jewish background) , Esperanza Spalding (singer and bassist), Eric Lewis (pianist), Lin Manuel Miranda (rapper/composer), Mayda Del Valle (poet from South Side of Chicago), Jamaica Heolimeleikalani Osorio (HBO Brave New Voices Youth Poetry Finalist), Joshua Brandon Bennett (HBO’s Brave New Voices Youth Poetry Finalist). There will be an emphasis on dialogue and communicating with each other about diverse experiences.
I have hesitated for months to bring this up, but since Brook mentioned it, I'll add my two cents for what it's worth. I also find it annoying when people refer to the President and the First Lady as Michelle and Barack. I agree with Brook that it sounds way too familiar and that first names in a public forum are appropriate only when you are personally acquainted. I teach composition to college students, and this is something I mention every semester. I cringe every time I read an essay about Emily (Emily Dickinson) or hear an oral presentation about Herman (Herman Melville) or see any contemporary author or public figure referred to by first name.
Our current first couple are so delightfully down-to-earth and personable that it's easy to lapse, but I agree that the position deserves deference.
I'm reminded of the scene in the movie "American President" where Michael Douglas's character is trying to persuade Martin Sheen's character to address him in private by his first name. It's an amusing little exchange, but in the end, Sheen's character refuses and continues to call him Mr. President--even though they actually are long-time personal friends.
Glad to see it was not just me Ms G! To add, I think MrsO is a little more casual, but still somewhat respectful and I have found myself using it as well, especially on this blog.
Prior to the election referring to FLOTUS and POTUS as "Michelle" and "Barack" was common practice. Although I am guilty of using "Michelle" often when I write about her and "Barack" less often, I do feel it is respectful to address them as First Lady and President. I agree that the acronyms are going to be around.
FYI - check this out regarding use of FLOTUS
http://www.whitehouse.gov/search/?keywords=FLOTUS
Why not just use "Mrs. Obama" and "the President"? I, I admit, am one who does not appreciate being called by my first name by strangers (i.e., medical office personnel, wait staff, salespeople and the like) and especially not by other people's children! I will take the "Mrs.", "ma'am," or "Miz" thank you very much.
@ desertwind "I noticed quite a few of the AA men wearing long ties Sat night"
I hesitate to bring this up, truly, but has anyone else reflected upon the history of racism prevalent in our country and seen how many times a man of color wearing a bow tie at a formal event was mistaken for a waiter or a valet to park the car?
I do like many traditions, but I see this as a cultural change, and am glad for it. Some manners shouldn't be rewritten or discarded, and some can be, imho.
I look forward to seeing what the poor man has to wear tomorrow, when he gives the commencement address at ASU (Arizona State) down the street from me. It's outside at Sun Devil Stadium and is expected to be 102 degrees!!
I am sure that no one is going to mistake President Obama, Samuel Jackson, Denzel Washington, Al Roker, The Rock, or any of the other famous people for a waiter or a valet. Most of the people that attend those high-class events run in the same circles and know each other.
And how many times has a Caucasian been mistaken as being a waiter - go ahead and post all of the statistics instead of pulling a racist comment out of the air!
Matthew Settle has the hots for our Flotus!
http://en.terra.com/entertainment/articles/html/oci14687.htm
Maybe this name thing is just generational? I am definitely one of those commenters that regularly refers to Mrs.O as Michelle, and actually I refer to MOST public people by their first name (Kathleen Sebelius is Kathleen, Joe Biden is Joe) just as I refer to most people that I meet by their first name (sorry Nancy!). And it had never really occurred to me that there is a lack of decorum in that. I mean we don't have royalty in this country. We have figures that are really important, but I don't feel like there is SO much distance between us that we have to refer to them by their title. Even if I was ever so lucky as to meet Michelle, I would just call her "Michelle" and I don't think she would mind. On an internet forum like this one, I am that much less to think of calling her anything more formal than just her name.
However, since so many of you talk about cringing when you see her referred to as Michelle (lol), I will stick the middle ground and call her Mrs.O which is a very cute name that totally fits her.
@ Elaine B - poor guy is going to be HOT.
In terms of a black satin tie vs. a bowtie - I think most younger people see a tie as slicker and nicer than the bowtie. That's all. The racial aspect, which I did notice, is probably stylistic... Anyway, I'm happy that men now have options when it comes to black tie events
Black tie - dinner jacket and trousers, white shirt, black bow tie, cummerbund - has from the beginning been intended to be a uniform of sorts. A mannered dress code. And an elegant one, at that, which flatters almost any man who wears it.
The Hollywood celebrities who tinker with their compliance with a black tie invitation aren't wearing "black tie" - instead they are showing ignorance or arrogance. Not a good look, IMO.
They are so down to earth and accessible that I can see how people want to just call them by their first names.
But I don't think I could ever call them Michelle or Barack if I met them!!!! Mr. President and First Lady (or Mrs. Obama) is the only thing I could fathom coming out of my mouth when addressing them.
Part of that, I'm sure, is because I was taught to never call people of authority, or people older than me, by their first name, unless they told me to. I don't even call the the founder for my company, by his first name.
I don't post very often, but I "LOVE" this site. I know it's about fashion, but....for those of you who are interested, (and just a little-bitty change of pace) *LOL*, Alphacat (a POTUS impersonater) has a new video out on youtube called Jamie Foxx- "Blame It" SPOOF- (BARACK OBAMA). The actress that is playing the FLOTUS is almost a dead ringer for her. I'm hoping that I don't get plummeted for doing this. *sigh*
I also find it easy to address FLOTUS as "MO" when referring to her while posting.
Love this by Posh Tater: "As an hourglass myself I get fed up with seeing model after model that is six foot tall and NO WAIST! I think there should be a rule - all designers have to design at least one outfit each collection for someone with a chest and waist and hips!" Amen to that!
I also wanted to highlight the comment of someone else who made a very eloquent statement supporting Mrs. Obama's womanly figure, and criticizing the need some feel to "correct" a woman's body with surgery. I cannot find that comment just now. Maybe it was on the other thread. If there are teachable moments going on here, I hope that we can change an attitude I felt was expressed on a previous thread that seemed to suggest that getting a tummy tuck was almost an obligation of good grooming like getting a good hair cut or caring for one's nails. I'm afraid I'm a real crusader for pushing back against this travesty. Women's natural curves are beautiful! We need to get back to honoring the power and mystery of womanhood held by matriarchal societies. Patriarchal societies like ours have reduced us to objects who must look a certain way, and a lot of that has been brought about by designers and Hollywood. This is true in white society anyway, maybe not so true in AA culture -- I'd like to hear about that from our AA sisters, Italian A sisters, or whoever would like to comment.
Re FLOTUS. I didn't write what I posted. I copied the short article from the Seattle Post Intelligencer. I appreciate all your thoughts on the subject. I'm guilty of referring to Mrs. Obama and the President as Michelle and Barack, because they seem so approachable and so "just like us". Frankly, I have never liked titles and prefer to level the playing field by just addressing the person by name. But, I take the point that I ought to give this respect to our President and First Lady.
One last thought. I'm finding people's comments to be so much richer than I did before so many of you revealed more about yourselves. I don't know if that's because I can bring what you shared about yourselves at some length to your new, shorter comments, or if you all feel freer to let more of yourselves shine through, but I'm finding it very satisfying. Thank you all.
I do think the name thing is PARTLY generational. I was brought up to call anyone older than myself by Mr. or Mrs.; exceptions could be made for close family friends, but even then, the respectful title Uncle or Aunt was required (even though they were not related to us). I notice that younger people are more inclined to use first names; but like Nancy, I've never gotten used to having strangers, especially children, call me by my first name. My own children are in their twenties and thirties, and I taught them the same decorum, so there are still some in the younger generation who are familiar with this idea. I also agree with Elaine B that "some manners shouldn't be rewritten or discarded"; and I would vote to place using "proper" names in that category. I like Mrs. O--although casual, it still respects her position. Also, POTUS and FLOTUS--although the English major in me cringes at thes--I think are here to stay and are far better than the too-familiar first name.
I'm finished! That was my soapbox for the day.
I enjoyed reading everyone's comments on showing proper respect for using titles, and proper respect to the FL should always be important. I've called her Michelle, MO, FL, and Mrs. O but either way if I write "Michelle" it in no way diminishes how much admiration I have for this wonderful woman and to show respect for her beyond the title in also what I write about her, how I write, and my intentions and motives when addressing her on this blog. So sometimes when I have written about deeper topics, I have used more formal titles and with lighter topics I have used her first name. It makes it a little easier to express myself when the thoughts are flowing faster than my fingers can type. In other words, I get into a groove where I forget....so try not to cringe because there will be times that I say "Michelle", but a lot of times it's mostly Mrs. O or FL for me. I will continue to mix it up, but my respect for her has never diminished.
I certainly wouldn't call Michelle and Barack Michelle and Barack if I were actually talking to them, but somehow it seems okay here. After all, we don't go around calling Hillary Madam Secretary of State.
I sort of hesitate to mention this, but what is wrong with Ingrid Grimes-Miles' hairline? Too much wearing her hair tightly?
@trudy, regarding Ingrid---I was thinking about my girlfriend who has always worn long extension braids and it effected her hairline like that. She started out just wearing them in the summer for swimming and the beach and then each time she removed them, her hairline kept moving back inch by inch. But I also wonder if it's something else. Remember the singer Sade? Her hairline was way back for as long as I can remember. Ingrid is such a beautiful woman though...maybe it's something else because I saw her in an interview about a year ago on an NBC station in Chicago and the hairline wasn't back that far at all. Anyway, Ingrid is very pretty and I actually love her own eyebrow arches and she and the FL's makeup are so similar I laughed, but they sure look good! Ingrid sure has talent as evidenced by Mrs. O's makeup these days.
@ Iva "I think most younger people see a tie as slicker and nicer than the bowtie. That’s all. The racial aspect, which I did notice, is probably stylistic…"
Thanks, Iva. Unless we interview the guys who first broke the mold (likely at the Oscars!), and what was in their minds, we won't know. I suspect a healthy "you can't define me and keep me in your set of rules" was in there somewhere, whoever the guys were, and that's where some cultural change, and changes in fashion, come from. I just love history of all sorts and most people here know more about fashion than I ever will, and I want to learn more.
I wonder if someday men will revolt, like women did about girdles, about the repression of ties. Imagine if we women had to tie a belt tightly around our necks every time we went to an event of any formality, in order to be accepted, at least in the western world. Ouch.
Janelle/Trudy: I think pulling the hair back for too long and too often, stresses it and causes the hairline to receed for many people...
The president looked absolutely smart and formal in his black long tie-
Like many have observed, the bowtie doesn't really work well for him - It's really okay to tweak looks, shedding those that fail to fit-
Photos on "yahoo" re today's events. She is wearing the classic black bolero sweater again:)
Mrs. G - I appreciate that you were raised with the good manners to use titles when addressing people -- especially those older than you. This was not part of my up-bringing, and I think you may have received the better training. I'm going to work on acquiring some of that. In the hard-scrabble mid-western farming community I came from, we were all pretty much on a first-name basis. I like using the Mrs. and Mr. if people prefer it, although personally, I like to be called by my first name, even by children.
I'm not really a member of a younger generation, although I hope I will always have an open, enthusiastic attitude that may, in writing, bely my actual age, and the fact that I have surely earned what I consider to be the respected title of "Crohn". (smile)
Photos of the First Lady's appearance today just now being uploaded. She looks absolutely beautiful and happy.
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Michelle-Obama/ss/events/pl/050108michelleobama#photoViewer=/090512/ids_photos_ts/r1186366323.jpg
I just saw them too mj. She looks very pretty. I can't tell if she's wearing a skirt or dress under the bolero.
I am in my (EARLY!) 40s and I was taught the same thing about respect for elders and people in a position of authority. When I got my first job out of college I was a supervisor in an insurance company and several of my employees were around my parents age and older. I started out calling them Miss (firstname) like any good southern girl would do. My manager pulled me aside and said it was undermining my authority by doing so. I slowly begin to stop with the honorific, but still do so with Senior Citizens and people that I respect greatly or have a 'title'. I appreciate some of the ways that we have gotten more casual in this country, but in otherways not so much.
I am glad I brought this up, it has been interesting to hear people's thought.
trudy..the hair that you can see on MsG-M does not look like her natural (i.e. grew out of her head) hair. She may have alopecia (not sure of the spelling).
Can't tell if she's wearing a shirt and skirt or a dress, but I think the former. The skirt has the same kind of stripes as the dress she wore to the Sojourner Truth bust unveiling. Whatever we want to call her, she looks AMAZING.
The skirt looks like Sophie Theallet. I love it!
Mrs. O looks LOVELY today. She is wearing a very girly little black sundress with white contrast detailing around the bottom of the skirt, the black bolero cardigan and black kitten heels.
You can tell in that picture of her walking down the stairs that the dress has a lot of movement. It's kind of a simple little silhouette that still manages to be really interesting.
Michelle is often quoted as saying to people, "call me Michelle." If the first lady herself is not formal, I don't think it's disrepectful for us to refer to her with her given name.
Love today's look, that little cropped sweater is one of my favorites. I think she is wearing a dress, not a skirt underneath.
MrsO had a function today at 2:45. Where are the pictures already?!?!? (Boy, I need to get a life!) lol
Oops, I hit "submit" too fast. also wanted to add that she may also wear this outfit tonight to the poetry slam as well. Ingrid has the makeup on point and J. Wright has the hair looking great! She looks so nice. At first, only seeing the top half, I thought it was the Narcisco Rodriguez she wore coming off the plane in Prague, but then I saw the bottom and thought.....Sophie Theallet, has to be.
Brook, they're on Yahoo! Here: news(dot)yahoo(dot)com/nphotos/Michelle-Obama/ss/events/pl/050108michelleobama
Actually, yeah, this is definitely a skirt, hence why it has so much movement. You can tell in how it flares out, at the waist.
And yes, this looks like a Sophie Theallet piece! I wonder if Sophie will be as lucky as Michael Kors who has been firmly added to the list of designers Mrs. O chooses to wear and who we know she is very loyal to.
I guess I was posting when others were posting about the details of her outfit. I looked on daylife(dot)com but could not find them!!! Arghhhhh!!
Crone, not Crohn. Sorry.
For those who may not understand what I mean, I copied the following from a site called "The Woman's Book of Confidence." I'll post the site in a separate entry because I don't want to delay my correction of the spelling of Crone.
RECLAIMING THE CRONE
"Probably our ancient ancestors were much more sanguine about aging than we are because they revered the virtues that come with years and experience. Such cultures divided development into three phases, maiden, mother and crone."
I have not achieved all the wisdom, freedom, power of Cronehood, but I've gotten some of it. And I think there are some other fabulous Crones on this site as well, who I look forward to enjoying and learning from. (smile)
The site where I found much of "The Woman's Book of Confidence" printed out was: http://books.google.com/books?id=_3lML7D-rTgC&pg=PA252&lpg=PA252&dq=Respected+crones&source=bl&ots=klvy7VdDOW&sig=GH_TMAwxPi-4BgoNWfE2Kabbesk&hl=en&ei=IdUJSsiCM5a8tAOp0YzaCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1#PPA251,M1
I just discovered it today. It looks like a great read.
Thanks again, ladies, for making this such an interesting blog to visit! Yes, there is just so much one can say about a dress or a sweater (or a belt!), but there is a wealth of opinion on other issues that we seem to enjoy sharing. It is interesting to hear all the different points of view about the use of "honorifics" -- I suspect it's a generational thing with a touch of the geographical, accented by one's parents' styles (e.g., I grew up in a military household where respect for rank, of course, is institutionalized. I wish I had a dime for every time my father told me that I didn't have to respect or like someone personally, but I sure had to respect his/her position. "Yes, sir," and "no, ma'am" and Mr. and Mrs. are STILL my reflexive responses--even though I'm nearly as old as dirt.)
Love these two photos -- you can just see how charismatic she is in interacting with people:
news(dot)yahoo(dot)com/nphotos/Michelle-Obama/ss/events/pl/050108michelleobama/im:/090512/480/c01c27e8e1f64c7b8ff7cdc5fc4b10a9/#photoViewer=/090512/480/c01c27e8e1f64c7b8ff7cdc5fc4b10a9
news(dot)yahoo(dot)com/nphotos/Michelle-Obama/ss/events/pl/050108michelleobama/im:/090512/480/c01c27e8e1f64c7b8ff7cdc5fc4b10a9/#photoViewer=/090512/ids_photos_ts/r2737773349.jpg
Oops, the first link was supposed to be this (though I like that one too):
news(dot)yahoo(dot)com/nphotos/Michelle-Obama/ss/events/pl/050108michelleobama/im:/090512/480/457ce53c8f1949c29b4609db4184dda6/#photoViewer=/090512/ids_photos_ts/r1636207314.jpg
Hello ladies,
I haven't read the comments yet but I just wanted to point out that some people are watching the president's fashion too (his ties): http://www.neckofstate.com/ read about it in a very random article lol
Hi to Nancy, another wise and humorous Crone (do you mind if I call you that? I consider it such a wonderful title of reverence. But I totally understand if others still think of that word in a negative way.) Please let me know. I don't want to offend you or anyone else.
@Willow Heavens, no, I'm not offended! In fact, several of my "crone" friends and I have coffee mugs with a black crow design--they're our special "crone mugs". One has to have a sense of humor to survive cronehood! Thanks.
Thank you Rachel. You saved me a very expensive hospital visit! LOL I will have to start going to yahoo before daylife because yahoo seems to have the pictures up first.