Friday
Sep112009
A Moment of Silence
Friday, September 11, 2009 at 11:26 AM 
Photo by Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
The President and First Lady Mrs. O observed the eighth anniversary of 9/11 on the South Lawn of the White House this morning.
Reader Comments (49)
She is so beautiful.
She one of those women that get more beautiful with age.
i really love that picture...perfection!
I like it. Very simple but not a boring little black dress. Looks like it has some gathering.
Despite the fact that this is a style blog, I found it difficult to comment on Mrs O's attire today. It seems wildly irrelevant. I hadn't even realised what the date was until a friend mentioned it in a phone conversation this afternoon. It brought home to me the fact that for so many people, this is a day they will never be able to ignore or forget. A day that so many people went to work or got on a plane and never went home. I was working for an American college in London on the day itself. A college populated by a group of young excited students, most of whom were travelling away from home for the first time. We managed to confirm that everyone's family were safe - except for two relations. One of whom was later found to be safe and well, one of whom wasn't. A friend of mine was on the subway going to an interview in one of the towers but was delayed and missed his interview at Cantor Fitzgerald. All I remember in the days following was the eerie quiet of a planeless sky, the half empty streets of my town, and a sure knowledge that we must not allow people who can perpetrate atrocities like this to succeed in any way.
My heartfelt best wishes to everyone and anyone who was affected by loss at the time, or today.
Great comment, Posh Tater.
I agree...great comment Posh Tater.
I would add, though, that Mrs. O does look beautiful, as usual.
She does indeed.
My heart goes out to all affected by the 9/11 tragedy....I just love these too and Mrs. Obama looks FABulous as usual.
Thank you Posh Tatter.
My heart goes out to all those who have lost loved ones 8 yrs ago today. May it never happen again anywhere in the world.
My thoughts go out to all those who suffer on this day.
Mrs. Obama looks wonderful. It's hard to see because of the color but there is some gathering on the front of this sheath. Her body type is made for this style. I love that little black cardigan. Does anyone know where I can find it or similar?
Here is a close up http://www.daylife.com/photo/05lh4GY57LfnY?q=Michelle+Obama
and soaked by the rain http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/90596199/Getty-Images-News
Love and Peace to all those affected by the 9/11 tragedy.
Mrs. O in the rain. This pic touched me for some reason.
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/90596199/Getty-Images-News
Indeed, she looked beautiful. And Nyon, thanks for the pic of Mrs. O in the rain. She is so human. Where were the Secret service umbrellas?
On another note, i expected the president in more sombre colors.
Nyon, that picture is beautiful. It's like tears are pouring down from heaven.......I would be ashamed on a day like today to comment on the fashion aspect of either of these pictures.
They are now helping fix up a house as part of today's National Day of Service.
Here's the wardrobe change. http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/90598770/AFP
My brother passed away one year ago today. So this day has special significance to me. He was gone way too soon.
Not to detract from the solemnity of this thread, but it's breaking news in Chicago that Mrs O will travel with the Chicago 2016 delegation to Copenhagen to help with our bid for the Olympic Games. The president called the mayor this morning. Mrs. O also announced an expansion of her outreach to military families earlier today. Seems her plans to get more publicly involved are beginning to take shape.
She's better then me. As much work it was for me (when my hair was relaxed) to keep my hair lookin' fly I would not want it to get destryoed in the rain. But that's also why I'll bever be First Lady.
But anyways like someone else said her outfit is unimportant. Today is about rememberance.
@Victoria
Its just hair, that is why she obviously does not care. She is not worried about her hair 24/7, I read last year that she has not had chemicals put in her hair in over 10 years, and that she does not apply a lot of heat to her hair either.
That's not rain. Those are tears from heaven and Mrs. O is catching them for us in her beautiful hair.
@Mia Monte, where did you read that? I would like to read that to be informed. How it is possible for her hair to be straight if she doesn't have a relaxer or apply heat (flat iron or blow-dried). That's a serious question.
@MrsO2 I'll try to remember that when I'm getting soaked from head to toe in Florida rain.
I just read that she doesn't flat-iron she blow drys but that is still applying heat to the hair to straighten it.
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/90596199/Getty-Images-News
But I don't understand, if she doesn't have a relaxer when water touches her hair wouldn't it frizz up or get curly again. Right here it still looks bone straight.
she is so beautiful. i like looking at her when i am sad because looking at her makes me feel better. she is so lovely
Almost 3,000 people lost their lives, but people seem more interested in what Michelle is wearing?
Newsweek article on Mrs. O's hair:
http://www.mybeautymatch.com/first-lady-michelle-obama-hair-secrets/
And more here on chemical-free hair:
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=272861
She definitely has a relaxer. Straightened natural hair would be thicker and have more movement and shine.
for the record I did mean to say these TWO
Mrs. O's hair definitely would not be that straight were there no chemicals. But as someone said, it's just hair and I'm sure she has someone to quickly help get it dried and ready for the next appearance. God bless the families who lost loved ones on this day eight years ago and God bless America!
Jackeens also have pix.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Jackeens_for_Obama/523
Although I am despairing at the sight of the mini-cardi, Mrs. O looked really pretty today for both events. Simple, elegant, clean lines. The black dress might just be a Pinto.
Mia Monte: Black hair that has not been chemically pcrocessed does not get wet and remain bone straight. Even if it a mild relaxer, Mrs. O does have a relaxer on. And believe me, I am speaking from generations of previous experience. Wherever you got that info is not accurate. The first daughters' hair is not chemically processed, they most likely use a curling iron, plus their hair likely has a softer texture because of their dad's biracial heritage, but Mrs O definitely has a perm.
Mia:
Mrs O does relax her hair see quote below:
CBS2Chicago.com reports that the person behind Michelle Obama’s fabulous hair is none other than Rahni Flowers. He has been styling Obama’s hair for 26 years.
“She’s just a wonderful lady — bright, young, energetic creative,” he said. “She’s gone from curlier look over time when she was younger. As she’s matured we’ve done flips, layered flips and then she’s gone to a very simple look that’s very clean and easy.”
Mr. Flowers is credited with keeping the first lady’s chemically relaxed hair healthy. Although he declined an invitation to move to Washington in order to be Obama’s full-time hairstylist, he will be on hand during the inauguration festivities.
Here is the link:
http://michelleobamawatch.com/2009/01/michelle-obamas-hairstylist-speaks-to-msm/
How solemn the moment......we remember when it all happened as if it was yesterday, I know I do because I changed my flight from the 11th September to the 10th.....today I wouldn't have been here I would have been a statistic. I would gladly stand and let the rain or heavens tears fall on me, today Mrs O, THANK YOU for letting your hair be soaked. On occassion like this who cares about hair or clothes.
This moment was for us who escaped this tragedy. God bless the Obamas and God bless the family of all who lost loved ones.
Does she or doesn't she....relax her hair that is? A couple of posters--and you know who you are--have weighed in on your version of the facts based on news stories from last year or certainly pre-inauguration. The new kid in town is Johhny Wright. He's responsible for the flurry of excitement over her "bob haircut" (that really wasn't a cut). He even travelled with Mrs. O. on one of her european trips. I can't recall which trip, but I do I recall he was pictured with her family and entourage group in some of the side sighseeing jaunts they took. . One poster even wondered who he was, and wanted to know if he was part of the family because "he didn't appear to be dressed up to snuff enough to be part of the family".
Anyway...you can check the link below or just google his name and find several, more "recent" articles about his role as her hairdresser. However, my question is...why is it important?
BTW, Johnny is not giving up any state secrets regarding Michelle or any of his clients. He feels it's of utmost importance to maintain his clients privacy and so do I. I just thought it was important to share a little fact checking before the "does she, doesn't she...or who does it ... goes any further and becomes gospel.
http://michelleostyle.blogspot.com/2009/08/michelle-os-dc-hairstylist-johnny.html
For all those who wonder how Mrs O doesn't use chemicals to straighten her hair, here's one possibility. Check out the "Wen" products by Chaz Dean at WEN Hair - Official Site www.wenhaircare.com. Chaz's products are phenomenal, and if you use them you will not need to use any chemicals on your hair, it will straighten your hair naturally.
POTUS & FLOTUS look absolutely radiant and very appropriately dressed for the occasion. May those who lost loved ones on this very sad day in our history continue to receive the peace of God which passes all understanding to guard their hearts in Him.
May God bless the families of all those who lost a loved one on this fateful day eight years ago. Pray for the families.
I love this outfit on Mrs. O. I think I remember this cardigan from the infamous visit with the Queen of England.
Twitter = Strongforu
It's all in the details...
Like that subtle but very significant gathering of the fabric on the left side of Mrs. O's waist. Your eyes become almost glued to her very small waist and then travel the length of her oh so shapely figure!
Curves uninterrupted, a total doll.
It has been sometime since I last posted a comment on here but I have been viewing the post. But I feel today is a day I need to make a post. On 9/11 I myself was living in NY and was just a young girl (I am now almost 18) still to this day I remember where I was, what I was doing and even what I was wearing 8 years ago today. I remember just looked up into the sky and seeing nothing but smoke. All I heard on the TV was the news and the reporters speaking about the events that were taking place and all I could think was "When is the next one going to hit?" My father was a NY firefighter back in the late 80's and early 90's and that night I remember praying and thanking God that my father wasn't a firefighter anymore and that he wasn't one of those many firefighters who lost their lives that day.
But at the sametime I remember thinking there was a little girl out there the same age as me that same night crying herself to sleep because her father was one of those lost and that she was just told she would never see her father again. It really makes you think and value life at a very young age when something as big as this happens when you are so young. To this day no single event has effected me like 9/11 has. Every year when 9/11 rolls around all I think is how thankful I am to still have my family with me and how much I feel for those who don't. For those children who 8 years ago today lost their parents. It is a VERY hard thing to have happen to a child at such a young age and my heart goes out to them and their families.
Michelle Obama has chemically relaxed hair. It is very clear and obvious to anyone who knows about these things.
Re: "cardigan"
Upon closer inspection that does not look like a cardigan. It looks like a jacket. It doesn't look like a knit or a silk, and it looks stiffer in the front. I wonder if it is a little bolero jacket and not a "cardigan".
Tsetse, thank God for mercies known and unknown and for Him preserving you.
Rocky, Mrs O is truly a doll. She totally gets it.
I agree that fashion seems irrelevant in the face of the memory of the day's events, but what isn't irrelevant is respect and dignity. It makes me very proud to see our dignified and beautiful President and First Lady. I never thought I would say anything like that about any elected official, but they are symbols of what we can be, if we really try.
What a great dress...I love the gathering at the waistline. It's a very simple dress, with just the right touch of something different. Fabulous!
Endorsing all the preceeding comments and just adding that both Mr.s O and The President were oblivious of their attire/style/fashion during the ceremony at the Pentagon as they spoke with the public in pouring rain...without umbrellas. I thought this was truly admirable....so many lost thier lives and loved ones on that day. To me the message from the First Couple was "we can get wet" who cares. That was a demonstration of real style.
Does she or doesn't she..is an answer we'll never know. Oprah and a host of other well-to-do African American women in Chicago refuse to relax.
Here's a photo pf Oprah before the hot pressing process:
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh294/Abby_SA/oprah.jpg
Not sure if Mrs. O is hair is the same way, if so ,would that be a bad thing? I don't think so as I humbly embrace and no longer feel the need to tame my wild mane.
Either way I still love you Mrs. O!
I believe there's a trend in Chicago where many a African American women who opt out of relaxers and now choose to have their hair straigthened by pressing comb and flat iron. This process gives the hair much needed versatility.
Oprah also shared a picture of the before straightening process:
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh294/Abby_SA/oprah.jpg
Check it out
The only photo I've ever seen of Mrs. O with her hair unstraightened is this one in her Princeton commencement cap and gown:
http://media1.suntimes.com/multimedia/120108mobama_cst_feed_20081130_20_58_38_1704-282-400.imageContent
MichelleTwo, that same black cropped cardigan top appeared with the Jasmin Shokrian skirt discussed here in May. It has tiny buttons down the left front. Based upon the photo there (May 19) it does look to be knit of some kind, but perhaps what is called "hard finish" fine knit. It is very close-fitting, especially in the arms. We've seen it at least one other time - with the full-skirted black Alaia lace (?) dinner dress? Memory fails.
@Bee Gee, Mrs. O hair looks great in that pic. I would love to see her hair in its natural state once again.
OK now that there are streams of comments about MO's hair, I feel I can safely say - I LOVE THAT CARDIGAN!
The other thing that I really just go slightly wibbly about in the Getty Images pictures of the minute's silence in Washington, is that ALL the staff are out there with Mr & Mrs O. In years gone by, and in my country (and often in other political environment's), the staff are hidden away, or know that they ought to be out of the way, usually get put at the back, left behind etc., etc. I am really glad to see the hypocrisy is gone in this President's time - that all the staff are out there, in no particular order, all acknowledged and seen. This is real progress.
Thanks BeeGee. I think we last saw it at the Kennedy funeral.
Classic,elegant,,,,,, LOVE THIS BLACK DRESS