Monday
Dec122011
Must Read Mrs. O
Monday, December 12, 2011 at 6:46 PM Food for thought from Amy Odell of New York Magazine:
"Why We Should Let Sasha and Malia Obama Be Kids, Not Fashion Plates" [NY Mag]
Monday, December 12, 2011 at 6:46 PM References (1)
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Response: cloggs.co.uk promo code 5% offMust Read Mrs. O - Home - Mrs.O - Follow the Fashion and Style of First Lady Michelle Obama
Reader Comments (27)
They seem like such cool girls and good kids. Wishing them all the best.
I think that they are "fair game" when they are at official events with their parents.
Talking about their clothing choices while they are on vacation or walking back to the White House is a bit much but if they are at events like the Christmas In Washington special then I believe it isn't out of bounds to comment on them.
I will say that I think it is important that the comments given about the girls are always respectful and not too negative.
This is a good article but I would like to make a few points. The press will comment on 'anyone' who lives their lives in the public eye, often taking nothing and turning it into something. I remember how the press used to dig Kate Middleton's wardrobe, especially when she and Prince William split up for a few months. However, once she got engaged, they started waxing lyrical about EVERYTHING she wore to the point of obsession. Now that she is officially a member of the Royal Family, they would hyperventilate if she wore a black bin bag.
Yes, the Middleton girls are adults and the Obama girls are children but where the Middletons are smart savvy ladies, the Obama girls have the strength and support of two amazing parents who only take them out for special occassions. At other times, they are just enjoying themselves as two adorable girls. I think if anything both girls are role models for up and coming girls of their age and Michelle Obama should be saluted for the way she dresses her girls in age appropriate clothes.
I agree with Jestina (London, England) 100%. As for the age-appropriate part, she is right on point. My daughter is 9 years old and it is practically impossible to find decent dresses and outfits for her. If I weren't a dressmaker, I honestly don't know what I would do. I have copied many of Sasha & Malia's outfits for her; with and without her knowledge!
I agree wtih you Jestina.
All is well. I think their parents are doing an excellent job of when and where to expose them. The press can and will write about anything. I think we are getting a healthy dose of them as kids. It's fine!
The article was really much ado about nothing.
I agree Jestina.
I agree. The Clintons asked the press to respect Chelsea's childhood and so did the royals where Harry and William were concerned. And, they obliged. There are enough pressures coming into the teen years, especially with reading or hearing negative things about you parents on a daily basis on every medium. So, they deserve to have a life free from public scrutiny. Love those girls. The Obama's and Grandma did an excellent job with them.
Jestina you hit the nail on the head with your comments.
These are great comments. Personally, the article made me stop and think, as I do believe there's been an uptick in media attention focused on what Malia and Sasha Obama are wearing, and even here, I've become more relaxed about posting information and links. I take the point about the girls being role models and inspiration for dressing age appropriately. At the same time, that's not necessarily been the nature of the recent media coverage. The Huffington Post currently has a slide show up of 13-year-old Malia dressed in yellow followed by a range of adult celebrities in the same hue. While it's all quite positive in nature, perhaps there's something a bit unsettling about the comparison? Certainly it's not a huge deal with all there is to worry about in the world, but just something to ponder...
I agree with Mica, if their parents wish them to attend official events, then they make them fair game and shouldn't be surprised when they are photographed or talked about. Unfortunately, as they are girls, like it or not, that talk is bound to extend to what they are wearing. Personally, as they are children I would rather they were kept out of the limelight. But let's face it, they are a very photogenic family, and call me a synic but I'm sure that fact has not been lost on Mr & Mrs Obama and used to their advantage.
Jestina - surely you are not implying that smart, savy Kate and Pippa do not also have the strength and support of 2 amazing parents? From what I've read, the Middleton family seems to be a tight supportive little group.
I agree with the article. But on the other hand, with the loving foundation and guidance they have from their parents and grandmother Marian, they will be just fine.
I truly love seeing our beautiful and inspirational young First Family in the White House, however I must admit, I sometimes get a queasy feeling in my stomach when I see a lot of commentary regarding the First Daughters. I think it is wiser to leave them alone and let them just be the children that they are. How many of us, as young pre-teens and teenagers would have wanted the mantle that many of today’s role models are expected to wear?
Peace.
I understand both sides of this debate, but I'm willing to err on the "Let Obama's daughters be the little girls that they are" since we, as admirers and supporters of PBO and FLOTUS, should care about their daughters' psychological well-being. They are adorable girls and it's natural to want to critique their clothes and turn them into fashion plates. However, part of the reason many of us love them so much is that they are not acting "grown." Their parents, with a great assist from Mrs. Robinson has worked hard to keep them level-headed. Our undue attention to their fashion would detract from their parents and guardians' hard work. So, we should just let them be.
By and large, i think most of the fashion talk directed in the Obama girls' direction has been mostly positive. Because even though ppl make commentaries about their outfits, it is still understood that they are kids and are only public figures because of who their dad is. They have the strong support of their family and friends, the same ones theyve had before anyone knew who they were. Im sure theyll leave the White House unscathed by all the attention theyre getting. Even Chelsea Clinton, who it was no secret that the press was pretty bad with her during those awkward teen years, has grown into quite the beautiful and poised young lady, no worse for the wear. So i have no doubt these 2 young ladies will be just fine.
I'm the first one to say leave the girls alone, but I'm also the first one to say I love seeing them (not really for their clothes, but just because I think they're adorable) I think when you're in the public eye, by choice or not, you're open to be critiqued, whether positively or negatively. I think the press has been very respectful of the girls so far. I also think the press goes all ga ga over the girls because we rarely see them. The Pres and FL have been diligent about maintaining some sense of normalcy for their daughters.
I definitely don't want to see unnecessary stress added to the girls. Being Barack and Michelle Obama's daughters is enough pressure (not saying that PBO and the FL pressures them, but every child wants to make their parents happy. I stress about being a good person and successful and my mom is not the FLOTUS) On the rare occassions that we do see the first daughters, I think it's ok to say you like their clothes, as long as it's respectful. But I won't lie, I will be heated if I see something mean. Sigh, I know it doesn't make sense, I'm too crazy :-)
FMT, I think Jestina was saying that the Middleton ladies, are just that, ladies not children. And in the years that they've lived, have probably gained the strength and self awareness to handle the scrutiny. Where as the Obama girls would need the support of their parents to reassure them of their personal worth. I don't think it was a slight against the Middleton family and I'm sure Kate and Pippa go to their mom and dad for support. I don't know if I'm explaining that right, but at least that's what I got from her post.
Jestina - surely you are not implying that smart, savy Kate and Pippa do not also have the strength and support of 2 amazing parents? From what I've read, the Middleton family seems to be a tight supportive little group. Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at 5:44 PM | FMT >>>>>>>
You miss my point. It is because the WHOLE Middleton family are smart, savvy and low profile that their daughter managed to become the Duchess of Cambridge in the first place. However, the point I was making is that both Middleton girls are adults, are able to make their own judgements and are strong enough to buffer themselves from the media frenzy. Both ladies were living in Chelsea and miles from home for a number of years before Kate got engaged. Even as adults, we still need the support from our loved ones but children, no matter how precocious and mature need adults to guide them and steer them through life.
Thanks to everyone for their compliments.
It's absurd to say a 13 year-old, and a 10 or 11 year-old is fair game! They are KIDS, not adults. Kate Middleton is an ADULT, so the Obama girls being compared to her doesn't make sense. I don't even know what the Middletons have to do with this conversation anyway. Michelle has every right to ask for respect of HER daughters, like any mother would. Plus, they are rarely seen, so I don't get the assertion that Michelle puts them out there for criticism, when they attend events. I don't understand people that claim to be adults that talk bad about children, whether they are in the spotlight or not.
Love that long coat! Looks awesome on the First lady!!!
I get what you are saying Jestina, phew!
@B.R may I gently suggest that you read the NYMag article that precipitated this discussion. Jestina is making a salient point in her reference to the Middletons following the article's lead and she is in a unique position to do so since she is in London.
I must confess that I love reading about and seeing the Obama daughters. They are beautiful, well behaved in public and adored by their parents. I do respect their right to privacy but I swoon whenever they appear in public. Malia's reserve underlines her father cool brilliance and calm (presidential qualities) and Sasha's sparkling eyes mimic her mother's lively intelligence and energy. God bless and protect them all.
I read Amy's artticle and I must say that it is indeed thought provoking. I appreciate that she's not afraid to pose this valid question, even though backlash from her peers is inevitable. Just like most of us here, I too would hate to be a part of any type of exploitation or invasion of privacy when it comes to our Malia and Sasha. So I can see both sides of the issue. As a journalist, Amy is to be commended for examining the possibe, or probable outcome of what such over-exposure of the girls would/could create. However, I don't feel that any comparison to Kate and Pippa is fair, because they are adults. Conversely, I feel that comparing the Obama children to Hailee Steinfeld, Chloe Moretz nor Elle Fanning is equally unfair. The only thing that they have in common (in respect to this issue) is they are under age. These three girls are celebrities of their own making. Being in front of cameras is their job, their careers. They have a full blown "machine" in behind them that consists of not only their parents, but publicists, managers, agents, stylist and attorneys that are behind them. They wear a garment and then "magically" they are the face of a designers upcoming collection, and muse. When they are touted as the next big thing or style icon, it is nothing short of a calculated and well calibrated move by those that are in their camps, as well as the designers who all but throw the clothes on their backs. we won't even mention the kids sitting front row at fashion shows! When they are mentioned in the press or even on Joan Rivers' Fashion Police, it is a coupe for the folks that make it happen.These kids are brands, the business that they are in dictates as much. These things insures longevity in the business. Not only monetarily but also in terms of future projects. That's why you always hear the word "diversification" being bantied about, they know the best thing to do is strike while the iron is hot and keep other irons ready to go into the fire.
None of this even remotely resembles the course of action that Barack & Michelle have outlined and is following for their kids. They came out at the gate asking for privacy and striking back immediately when their wishes were disregarded. They guard those girls' privacy like a pit bulls, and rightfully so. It seems that all of our Presidents have been very careful about and cognizant of the perils that can befall children in The White House. The Kennedys, The Carters, the Bushes, The Clintons all did a spectacular job in keeping their kids out of the spotlight and allowing them to be themselves uninterrupted as much as possible. I give them much credit for that.
As I said at the outset, I applaud Amy for policing her industry. That shows real character, especially given that some of today's journalists ethics are dubious at best. Most of us that adore these precious little darlings are intrigued by their charm and poise as well as what they are wearing. We all feel that criticsm of children is blatantly unfair and epugnant. It has no place in our civilized society. So to err on the side of caution, maybe commenting on them altogether is an option. I think it's a knee jerk reaction that goes to the extreme. But to call them fair game because their Dad is President and their pics are taken sporadically at events, well that is completly out of order.
Sorry, I meant to say, "maybe NOT commenting on them altogether is an option". Also, I misspelled repugnant. I was typing as fast as I could....those from DWTS chat room will know what I'm talking about. Hey Nyon, IVA, Bevi & Groovy!
I like seeing the girls and what they are wearing. What I really like is the way they are mostly dressed in affordable clothing. You can tell the girls enjoy fashion, with their use of scarves, necklaces etc. I appreciate the positive comments from most people on their styles. God bless that family.
Interesting that the mag chose a photo with the Obama daughters not smiling as they have been in other photos I've seen. These are healthy, happy young ladies that are also great role models. I was startled at such bold choices in dress color and cut by Mrs. Obama and the girls. But I remember my daughters about this age. They had definite ideas about what they wanted to wear. Frankly, more power to a family that can afford to have a bigger range of choices than my family did. We were shopping off the sale rack at Gap Kids, but we were happy. The Obamas are a hard working, kind and caring family. They deserve some fun and I am sure they all have their heads on straight about what to ignore. Most press, I'd say : )
Hey Honey, how are you?! Email me CID because I can't find the email you sent me (I think I'm overlooking it and I'm being lazy too) and like an idiot I never saved it to my contacts.
It seems to me that the press desperately want to cross the line with the children of the president, so they hover in gray areas every chance they get. I think that, aside from the occasional nice commentary and permitted photographs, the children should be off limits, period.