Mrs. O at the Met (in Isaac!)
Monday, May 18, 2009 at 12:41 PM Photo by Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images
Photo by Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images
Mrs. O was in New York today, to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Metropolitan Museum of Art American Wing. She found good company in Mayor Michael Bloomberg, pictured on the left.
Per the AP:
"The arts are not just a nice thing to have or to do if there is free time or if one can afford it," Mrs. O told the crowd. "Rather, paintings and poetry, music and fashion, design and dialogue, they all define who we are as a people and provide an account of our history for the next generation."
Update: First Lady Mrs. O wore Pre-Fall 2009 Isaac Mizrahi for the event! The dress and coat are purple silk wool. Click here to see the runway version of the ensemble. (Isaac's team was peeking at Mrs-O.org earlier. Click here to see. Whee!)
This evening Mrs. O will attend the American Ballet Opening Spring Gala at the Metropolitan Opera House. Stay tuned.
Isaac Mizrahi in Outfits
Reader Comments (120)
SPEECHLESS!!
STUNNING!
@ Derek, thank you for posting the articles re Mrs. Obama's effect on the fashion industry. I felt the NY Magazine article was indeed a negative attempt at smarta** journalism. But the WWD article on which it was based seemed neither negatve nor positive, just a careful analysis of the effect she is having. I suspect it's true that the biggest boost has been name recognition for certain designers, which will benefit them more in the long term. It's important to remember that these are hard economic times, and everyone is thinking twice before they buy. In any event, the last thing the women who patronize designers would do is purchase a garment because someone else had worn it. But, as one of the interviewees put it, they are likely to feel their own taste validated by the First Lady's choices. This again is something that will only pay off for the designers in the long term.
It was interesting to learn in the article that neither Sophie Theallet, Michael Kors, nor Tracy Feith are carried by Ikram. One of these days we will learn the real process by which the First Lady chooses her clothing, and it will be truly fascinating.
Boy, Mrs. O has a knack at taking a runway outfit and bringing it to life! The outfit looked quite bland on the model, but she fills it out and brings the sex appeal. Loves it!
wow, she is stunning.
love it; love the style and the color. she doesn't wear suit style outfits often, but she always looks great when she does. can't wait to see what she wears tonight.
Does anyone think this might be the occasion for the much-anticipated white tuxedo?
For tonight's event, that is!
Mrs. T, I liked your choice of photos. I saw the group at Getty before you made the selection and had liked those the best. Was SO glad you didn't choose any of her "hugging" as those weren't symbolic of the event. But the "action" shot was great, and the one with Mayor Bloomberg hinted at her quiet use of power. And they both showed off the dress!
Some of her remarks at the event from Politico:
“From the beginning of our nation, the inspired works of our artists and artisans have reflected the ingenuity, creativity, independence and beauty of this nation. Our future as an innovative country depends on ensuring that everyone has access to the arts and to cultural opportunities," she said, before a crowd which included students and elected officials.
Nearly 6 million people make their living in the nonprofit arts industry, and arts and cultural activities contribute more than $160 billion to our economy every year. And trust me I do my part to add to that number.”
Obama mentioned that the stimulus package had $50 million in funding for the NEA and said, "The President and I want to ensure that all children have access to great works of art at museums like the one here.”
Ari, you beat me to it by 5 mins. I was just, just gonna post her remarks posted on Politico. :)
I'm sorry but I just had to post this part of the pool report from Time.com. Even kids notice how striking her clothing choices are. Very funny.
There were students from four city schools in the audience. The group of students who chatted briefly with your pooler seemed smitten.
“She was very nice, very kind,” said Jose Ditren, 11, a fifth-grader at PS 325 in Manhattan.
“Michelle Obama is very nice, good looking,” said Peterson Sime-Badia, 11, fifth-grader at PS 325.
“Yeah, good dress, good color,” he added.
“I think it's cool. I think she's nice, kind. That's all,” said Charlie Vazquez, 11, a fifth-grader at PS 325.
I love the way Michelle always looks like she is enjoying herself. I just wish I could come up with another word that hasnt been said about this look. All I can really say is she looks divine. I love the color. Kudos to her for having legs that dont require panty hose lol .. x
Dear Alsace, Thank you!!
Love the outfit, love the color. Very First Lady quality, without being stuffy. One minor thing: the front could've been raised a tad, with a modesty panel or whatever they call it. Mrs. Obama has been on a roll of late, with these nice outfits. Good to see she is rocking a real heel again.
I usually don't like Isaac Mizrahi's fashions, but he designed a nice outfit here. Is this Mrs. Obama's first public wearing of Mizrahi as First Lady?
Joane - You're so kind to remember that I'm still waiting to see the video of the night of Poetry, music, and spoken word. I look for it every day. You may be right that it won't appear on the White House site until it's aired on HBO. I don't get HBO, so I'll have to continue to wait. But I trust that one day I will get a chance to enjoy that great night. (smile)
I’m SO taken with the Issac Mizrahi outfit on Mrs.O. From head to toe she positively oozes elegance and sophistication in the most divine color… purple.
Purple is her color, she looks her best in purple I think, not that she doesnt look good in just about every other color
Mrs. O is the first website that Isaac Mizrahi's team is looking at, while looking at public's online response to Mrs. Obama wearing a Mizrahi design LOL
http://www (dot)isaacmizrahiny (dot) com/about/23/yesterday_@_475_videos
Nice, love the color, the model did no justice to the outfit, Mrs.O brought it to life. Hey and it came with a belt so no need to add one. BTW what about those pair of legs? STUNNING!!!!!
The shoes are amazing. She also wore them at the spoken word event. They transition from day to evening, neutral in color, and perfect for the season. Anyone know the designer?
Folks on Twitter said Mrs. O is wearing a short black knee length dress..sleeveless of course..cant wait to see!
pics are up on getty images
She looks FAB in black
I anat to see the whole dress. The top looks interesting
Shoes are to die for! I love Mrs. O in any shade of purple from light to dark.
The Getty pics are throwing me off. I wasn't expecting a podium and speech. More social photographs from a reception before/after the performance.
I love that color.
Can't tell too much about the design. I'd like to see it with the jacket off. That is a jacket over a dress.....right?
I think Issac Mizrahi is the quintessential designer. His clothes transition age and colour so easily. MIZRAHI IS THE BOMB! And only a BOMBSHELL like Mrs.O can give real justice to his creations. As I always say:"it's not the clothes, but the hanger"
I love the dress color on her and she looks great.
that skinny model in the issac dress cannot touch mrs obama. it goes to show a real, intelligent, charming woman is so much better than any model any day--understand iman!
Rocky; I love Isaac too and I'm glad that Mrs. O is wearing his stuff.
and yes, those shoes really are to die for.
I'm sorry I had to add the coat looks like a bathrobe on that model. Isaac get some models with meat on their bones and add some diversity. I know your staff was checking out this blog.
@Joane, too funny but true! The models need some hips with these clothes, especially wearing suits! Where are the Cindy Crawford and Tyra Banks models with hips these days? They were both fit, but still had hourglass figures, like a lot of women.
A better fit on Mrs. O than on the runway model.
All I have to say is "Oh my god!" Simply stunning. She just has a way doesn't she? Mocha Dem, I think the shoes are the same she wore for the Stevie Wonder tribute at the White House back in February and for date night with the president 2 Saturdays ago.
Wow! she is so sexy!
What a fun, fabulous color for spring. And that bubbly little bow to cinch in the waist is smashing. As always, Mrs. O looks amazing! :)
http://cafefashionista.blogspot.com
God she's amazing. I wish I had a body like hers and I'm younger than her and haven't had any kids! She's so gorgeous!
This photo gives the best view tonight's dress that I've been able to find. From what I can see, it's awesome.
daylife(dot)com/photo/09s14Gs7Vd8RF?q=michelle+obama
I'm just seeing the Met purple outfit. I usually love Isaac,but this outfit is not doing a thing for Mrs. O. It is dowdy, ill-fitting, the big pockets on the hips are wrong, and let me not even get started about the bow. And even though I usually am begging to see her in some heels, I did not think her cute shoes were the best match for the outfit. Yeah, I know ya'll gonna have my head, but I just do not find anything likable about this look. Even her usually stellar hair and makeup was off today (I am talking about the day look). BTW, I think she did redeem herself to a certain extent with the metallic Black night look. At least her hair and makeup are great. Love the bangs, makeup, and modern bangles. However, I like some others, would also like to see her loose the false eyelashes; they somewhat age her and shje looks lovely au naturel.
Mrs. T: O-MAZING is the perfect word along with, confident, tall, mocha, self-assuring, great gams, warm smile, in control, don't need panty hose(thank you, Michelle. My exact sentiments)captivating FOTUS......purple, violet, lilac whatever you want to call the color it just seems to makes her feel and look warm....and another bow!!!I did not get a chance to see the model, but skinny models should stay away from bows....period. This color looks great on her and those shoes are just right.....Michelle is just so full of surprises. Everyday I try to stay away from this blog, but I just love to hear her speak and well as HER choices of being herself and keeping it real.
I agree with others who say that Mrs. Obama looks much better in this outfit than the show model. The First Lady fills out the outfit, whereas it sags and looks blah on the model. The color also pops out against Mrs. Obama's mocha complexion, bringing this outfit to life in a way that the show model could not do.
To Ari and anyone else interested in video of Mrs.O at the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Met:
www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=lR2B3rcyVF4&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Emetmuseum%2Eorg%2Fworks%5Fof%5Fart%2Famerican%5Fdecorative%5Farts%2Famerican%5Fwing%5F2009%2Easpx&feature=player_embedded
I have no idea why its so long.
I'm loving that Isaac Mizrahi people are checking this blog...so cool!
good on ya MrsT
I love the cut of this coat and dress. It's a very modern take on the dress and matching coat ensemble. Isaac is a winner. The color is fresh and the bow adds a feminine touch. Mrs. O's legs look gorgeous in the picture with Mayor Bloomberg. What's her secret?!
This color looks GREAT on Mrs. Obama. the outfit is very nice!!!
How wonderful that she is wearing Isaac Mizrahi. In the video sent to retailers launching his designs for Liz Claiborne RTW he had such lovely things to say about First Lady Obama.
She looks positively regal.
Purple is definitely Mrs. Obama's best color for her skin tone.
That ensemble looks so much better on a real woman than on that model, who make it look like a bathrobe! Go Mrs. O