Mrs-O.org in Vogue
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at 10:14 PM On November 19th, an email popped up in my inbox that sent my heart racing. The note was from Mark Holgate, and the subject read, "American Vogue March 2010." Vogue was putting together a story on fashion bloggers and asked if I would participate. To be asked was an incredible honor, so far removed from my reality, I could barely process.
A few weeks later I met the other bloggers and the Vogue staff in the lobby of the Conde Nast building before we ventured together to a warehouse in the Bronx for the photo-shoot. The bloggers selected have substantial followings in the online fashion community, and increasingly, the offline one too. Several are essentially famous. (If having a bag named after you by Marc Jacobs doesn't qualify -- that would be Bryanboy -- I don't know what does.) They include: Bryanboy, Tommy Ton of Jak & Jill, Todd Selby of The Selby, Yvan Rodic of Facehunter, Garance Dore, Hanneli Mustaparta, Catherine Kallon of Red Carpet Fashion Awards and Michelle Phan of YouTube fame.
This blog, frankly, has a much smaller following than those above. And I'm sure, for many, it's an unexpected choice for the story. That it was included is a reflection of the broader cultural resonance of Michelle Obama's style, I believe, and of how opinions about the first lady's style are first shaped online. Perhaps, too, the Vogue editors were going for a bit of range.
Later in the week Mark Holgate, a Senior Fashion Writer for Vogue, came to BBH, where I work full-time as a brand planner and also blog. We chatted about fashion blogs and their increasing influence. I shared a few anecdotal stories of how Mrs-O.org has evolved over the past 18 months, and specifically, how surreal this all feels, particularly for a girl who has no background in fashion or politics -- simply an all consuming interest in the first lady's style, a slight addiction to style.com and a supportive employer. How this has all grown in such a short span of time is at once magical and mind-bending.
I want to thank everyone I met and emailed with at Vogue for this incredible, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And of course, to all of you, the Mrs-O.org community, for your support. Our shared enthusiasm for the first lady's style is what defines this blog. I'm very grateful you're all a part of it.
xoxo, Mrs. T
P.S. For those wondering about Mrs. O's whereabouts this week -- it's been quiet only because there's a full schedule in the days ahead. On Thursday the first lady will meet with students from the London borough of Islington at the White House, on Friday she'll be in Philadelphia to support her Let's Move initiative, and on Saturday she'll be back in Washington to address the National Governors Association, followed by the annual dinner. (Last year, the aforementioned brought us the Peter Soronen "Twilight" gown.)
Vogue
Reader Comments (48)
Congratulations! How exciting to see lovely, charming, intelligent YOU in the limelight! You've crafted a beautiful, smart engaging space in the blogosphere! I look forward to seeing this blog develop as well as to any and all other public projects you embark on! Cheers...! Warmly, SD
Mrs. T!!!! That's really excellent news, how exciting for you! I hope it makes putting out the occasional (well, maybe not so occasional) brushfires worth it. :-) And I haven't heard of any of those other folks so you're certainly famous enough in my book. And you look great.
So, I have to ask...who are you wearing in the picture??? Do they offer you racks of designer clothes to choose from?
Thank you both so much! The coat is by Barbara Tfank. It's belted to make a dress of sorts. They did have a rack of clothes, including a Spring 2010 dress and coat from Maria Pinto. A bit sad in retrospect. But this was the look they chose, which I wore throughout the group photoshoot. Whee!
TOTALLY COOL!!! Congrats Mrs. T! You look beautiful! GOOD things happen to GOOD people :-)
You are so adorable! I am so proud!
You are so beautiful!
WOW!
Congratulations! And big up for Garance Doré, the French one!
Congrats Mrs T, well deserved.
Congratulations...that's such exciting news! You should be so proud of yourself. You have created a great blog and I always look forward to seeing what you've posted. And now I'm looking forward to reading the piece in the upcoming issue of Vogue.
Wishing you continued success.
~CocoNat
P.S. And oh ya, you do look fab in the video of the shoot :)
Congrats! The video is so fab -- and you look fab too! Hooray for fun wondrous moments!
I want to get involved with our First Ladies "Lets Move Initiative". Do you have the deatails of where our First Lady will be on Friday? I live in south Jersey, which is only 25 minutes from Philadelphia. If its an open event, I may try to go and report back on it. Do you have the details or do you know where I can get the details on it? I believe its a great initiative.!! I used to teach aerobics. I'm very excited about this slimming down our future generation program that Mrs. O has taken up.
Thank you all! @Debra Chaffin, I've done a bit of search by Google and can't seem to find where the first lady will be in Philadelphia specifically. I'm not sure those details have been released to the media.
Mrs. T!
Congratulations to you - what a great honor to have your influence acknowledged. And you look terrific in your updo!
THATS GOOD CANT WEIT TO SEE WHAT MR O WILL BE WEARRING THURSDAY FRIDAY AND SAT OF COUSE SHE WILL BE COMING BACK HOME AFTER THE SPCHEECH SHE WILL BE SPEADDING THE REST OF THE DAY WITH HER KIDS THEY DO HAVE THINGS TO DO ON SAT TO. I MET TO SAY MRS O NOT MR O OPPS.LOL
So where is Mrs. O? Has she been in hiding. I love the fashions but I come on this site to see her...lol No Valentine photos available?
I add my congratulations to those already posted! How very exciting and rewarding to see your passion and commitment acknowledged and celebrated. And you do look great! Brava!
Nyon - well put. Good things happen to good people.
Mrs T you deserve this so much and I'm not at all surprised you were included. I look forward to this copy of US Vogue being here about two weeks after you've all seen it!!!
You did indeed look beautiful in all the footage that we saw (I liked the darker ensemble very much - who was that by?). I hadn't really focussed on those other blogs, but I will certainly be putting a couple of them on my daily trawling list from now on. I hope you had a lot of fun on the shoot, and that great things continue to come your way. You work very hard for this blog, for accurate, positive reporting of Mrs O's style, for all the people who come here and love it. Goodness knows getting into Vogue is a hard earned accolade. Brava!
I have to ask, was it huge fun to meet up with your internet peer group??!
I just can't thank you all enough for such kind words!
@ Posh, the second dress is by Matthew Williamson, the necklace by J.Crew. This was actually taken another day, for a small inset within the article on Mrs. O's use of statement jewelry.
@ BM, please see the bottom of the post which details Mrs. O's schedule for Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I imagine we haven't seen her yet this week because her schedule will be so jam-packed for the next few days. And no, sadly, no Valentine's photos. I believe the first couple spent the weekend at Camp David.
A belated, but very heartfelt, congratulations, Mrs T!! We're all so proud of you!! :)
I am so happy for you Mrs. T!!!! You looked very beautiful and elegant. I also agree with Nyon and Posh Tater, you put out extremely positive vibes and the good vibrations come back to you in spades. Thanks for creating such a fantastic blog. Here's my prediction, and remember that I said it.....you will one day have a one-on-one interview with the First Lady (unless it's happened already and I just don't know it). I know that her staff views this blog and it is the most positive and engaging blogs out there.
P.S. The crossover leg pose you did is on the money!
Congratulations Mrs. T, you deserve it!
Congratulations, Mrs. T - you looked beautiful! And you so deserve to be included in this group.
I looked at all the collections on style.com during an endless phone conference yesterday, and Barbara Tfank (who I'd never even heard of) was high on my list of favorites. A few hours later, there you were, in Barbara Tfank! Is she new?
Janelle is so right: your demure pose was dead on!
Congrats Mrs T from Australia - not sure if we will get a copy of this article in our issue down under but I would like to add my voice of approval for the website and the fantastic insights into Mrs O's life in the spotlight. I would also like to thank you for all the hard work that goes into keeping this thing rocking and rolling along - a very time-consuming task I would imagine. The President and his wife have many fans and followers in Australia and we are looking forward to seeing what style and designer wear Mrs O brings with her in March when the first family are visiting our shores. I'm very much looking forward to seeing some pictures on this website of the Obama family enjoying time on our beautiful harbour in Sydney. In the meantime keep up the good work and thank you for giving me a treasured place to enjoy my lunch-break EVERY Monday to Friday.
These comments are too much! Just very very heartwarming.
A Boston Gal, Janelle, Groovy, operafanatic, Bridget B, thank you all!!
@OpFan, It was my first time hearing of Barbara Tfank as well, though since then I've spent a lot of time admiring her designs. I was told she sometimes shares fabric with Peter Soronen. The coat was beautiful.
@Janelle, that would be the ultimate dream!!!
@Bridget B, I cannot wait for the Os next trip abroad!
Congratulations. !!!
Oh. My. God they are going to SYDNEY??? Holy cow. That's going to be such a great trip. I would love to see Mrs O in some Australian design.
Oh, and I just grin hugely at the bit in the video when you walk across the room in that huge coat (minus belt) looking reeeeally apprehensive! I feel like yelling "I KNOW HER!" And this is the thing: I don't! I think I do, because I feel like I talk to you every day, but I don't! Weird.
@ Posh, the Os go to Australia in late March. Quite exciting. About the video bit, yes, I was very nervous at many points during the experience! I was also very chilly. The warehouse was not heated at all, but of course, I was not about to complain. My mother said she laughed when I "skulked across the screen." Heh!
I feel like I know you and many others on here too!!! It is a funny thing about blogs I guess...
Mrs T i just wanted to say Congrats and i am so happy for you. I dont know what we would do without you and this wonderful blog you have created. If the First Lady could I know she would say how proud she is for you and wish you all the best. Keep Doing Your Thing!!!!!!!!
OMG, Congratz Mrs.T you're so adorable and I agree with what everyone said! Love the outfits too. what were you wearing? dish please.
Thanks sierra and Stylishgurl! I wore a coat, belted to make a dress, by Barbara Tfank. The menswear belt and messy hair made it more "Vogue" I was told. The shoes were by Christian Louboutin, which I hobbled around in to the best of my ability, literally taking 2" steps at a time!!!
So excited for you, Mrs. T! I'm still so honored to have been a part of this blog last year... I'm thrilled you've been getting so much publicity. You deserve it, and I think I speak for everyone when I say that we look forward to seeing the new issue.
So happy Mrs. T. getting the recognition you deserve. I don't come here for politics, but for fashion. You have been consistently wonderful in staying true to what you set out - Mrs. O and her fashions ... nothing MORE, nothing LESS. It's so appreciated - and I'm happy to see you get the recognition you deserve.
Oh I'm glad I'm not the only one who skitters in Louboutins! I have to practise at home for a fortnight if I want to wear mine anywhere!!! I wear them while washing up and hoovering, until I can do it without having to plot a flight plan... They're beautiful, but monsters. (I think skulking is a leetle harsh, but very funny!!!)
STAR GAZING...
This is an event of the nerve wrecking, heart wrenching, insomnia-tic type. Congrats Mrs.T! I am soooooo happy for you. You are indeed making history. These days have the makings of some fine story telling for later in life! Have fun and enjoy every bit of attention being thrown at you - Paparazzi even!
Hoooray!!!
Go. Mrs. T. I love your look in the layout. You are representing your blog and followers well. Keep up the good work. Let's hear it for beautiful, practical dress power!! O Power!
Congratulations Mrs. T, you look fabulous! You're so modest, sweet and thoughtful in thanking all of us, but YOU make this blog what it is.
How lucky we are that you took such an interest in Mrs. O's style!
Bravo! Take a well-deserved bow.
Congrats, Mrs. T! The video makes the shoot look like a lot of fun. If you're having trouble with embedding, the video can be seen at BryanBoy's site.
I'm late to the party, but I want to add my congratulations Mrs. T. Thanks to all of your hard work, this blog has become a virtual oasis for those of us who need a refuge from all of the anger and hatred that has taken over the internet.
Cheers!
I don't mean to be a Johnny-come-lately, but congrats Mrs. T. We're so really proud of you and you looked good! I bet your parents are enormous with pride, as well they should be, in fact, as well as you should be. Great job and just think.......we get to tag along for the ride. Hooray for us!
Amy, Patient, Rocky, Breeze, Hattie Carnegie, avo, mjohnso2 and Charlene -- thank you, thank you, thank you! I am touched by the support.
So well deserved Mrs T and couldn't be happening to a nicer person. It's so rare in these crazy times to find such a decent, positive person in the midst of all the madness and grab for fame & money at the expense of other people with all the attendant pain and humiliation.
Your decency and goodness shines through and even if I like most regulars have never met you, I do believe I could really vouch for you. You're a good woman and I wish you every happiness for the future!!
Are you kidding when you say you have no background in either politics or fashion? You have managed to combine both beautifully. I am not a fashionista but am drawn to your site politically, as I greatly admire the Obamas.Yours is the only blog I have on my FAVORITES and I check it each day. With Michelle Obama's fashion sense and you chronicling it, how could you not be recognized by Vogue? I'm very happy for you.
Mrs. T,
I'm so thrilled for you to receive this well deserved recognition. Your blog is an inspiration to us all that it mays life so much more interesting to tell your story through what one wears.
Cheers,
Stephanie Rae
Mrs. T - Your write-up is very humble, modest and lovely. Congratulations on your recognition and inclusion in Vogue's piece.
Congratulations Mrs T, and you do look lovely in the shoot.
Eleroy, Cate, Rae Rae, Emily and Lota - thank you all! I've been extremely touched by the support on the blog this week from all of my Mrs-O.org friends! Personally I cannot wait to see what the first lady will wear for the Governors Ball this evening! I have the feeling we are in for one gorgeous gown.
As a young, elected official I look to your blog to see how smart, savy political women (Mrs. O) can dress for success, and how fashion everyday intersects with politics. I may have an H&M/ Forever 21 budget, but I still like colorful, trendy fashion, even if I can't afford the McQueen blouse. At 26 I don't want to feel like I'm 56, but I still need to be taken seriously. Thanks for some excellent style cues along the way. & Congrats on the Vogue gig!
A devoted follower!