Fashion Week Favorites
Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at 12:50 PM
Here's a look at the Fall 2011 collections from a few of the First Lady's favorites: Jason Wu, Thakoon and Prabal Gurung. What I love most about these videos is that they capture the detail and construction of the garments, often lost in runway photos. They allow us to better understand what Jason Wu intended when he described this collection as his version of "baroque American sportswear." A leaf print blouse features a double organza collar. A lace-trimed sweatshirt is done in cashmere. It's an inspiration, not just for the aesthetics, but for the quality and craft.
The collections from Thakoon and Prabal Gurung were equally delightful. Thakoon put a fresh, new twist on his signature asymmetric dresses with a Masai-inspired pattern and palette. One can imagine Mrs. O choosing one of these bold dresses for a youthful, White House affair. From Prabal Gurung we saw "a return to glamour," as described by the New York Times. The red dress worn by Karlie Kloss has already become one of the signature looks of this fashion week. I loved the strong palette, and particularly the pairing of pink and red in looks 14 and 15. Perhaps Mrs. O, known of her use of color, might too?
"Jason Wu Goes for Gold" [NYT]
"More Than Meets the iPhone Lens" [NYT]
"At Prabal Gurung, a Return to Glamour" [NYT]
P.S. A few more gems (including Anna Wintour on Alexander McQueen's influence):
Barbara Tfank Fall 2011 (click on photo for full collection):
P.S. I would be remiss not to mention Naeem Khan's Fall 2011 collection, which I was delighted to see in person. The beading and embellishment was an inspiration in and of itself. A beaded caftan drew spontaneous applause from the audience, something I'd not witnessed before as a fashion week newcomer. While the looks seemed to scream Oscar more than "Mrs. O", the First Lady will be guaranteed high glamour should she choose any gown from this collection.
Reader Comments (35)
Love them all. I'm really impressed by the color, cut and texture of Jason Wu's designs. There is this sense of balance that we know is not easily attained. I also really loved Tory Burch's Fall collection.
Mrs. T, thank you so much for posting this. As a male follower of women's fashion, I found it interesting that I was contemplating how a "real" woman like Mrs. Obama would look in some of these pieces. I was picking out which combinations would work with her height, build and complexion. It was so much fun! I think that Mrs. O has allowed a lot more women to "see" themselves in a more liberated way no matter where they shop. Thanks again.
Refreshing to see the use of red and also large plaids. A very upbeat look!
These snippets were delightful, thanks Mrs. T! I fell in love with Jason Wu's designs. His interview with Fern Mallis was really good, he's so poised and thoughtful. The look that really did it for me was that jewel encrusted coat along with the chartreuse skirt.
It was good to see Tim Blanks commentating the Prabal show. I used to love to see him when he hosted Fashion File. In Detroit, it came on The Canadian Broadcast Channel on Sundays for two hours. I sure hate that it's been dropped because I got a chance to see a lot of fashion shows and behind the scenes footage. He has a keen eye for spotting upcoming trends and designers that he would spot-light each year. The look that I fell in love with from Prabal was that black and white dress trimmed in red with the black leather opera length gloves. Now that's a look that our Michelle would really shine in.
Hey, has anyone seen any of the new looks on Style.com? I'm REALLY not trying to conjure up any controversy but did anyone see Oscar's Fall 2011 collection? I sure wish he would've been able to master the art of discretion because there are some looks that would look outstanding on our FLOTUS. Also, Tracy Reese has a wicked Fall collection as well as Lanvin and Brabara Tfank.
I'm with you Lavonne - the cut and colours that Wu uses are amazing.
WOW, Prabal Gurung is astonishing!
The Jason Wu collection is very lovely. But Mrs. T, aren't there any images from the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony? The beginning of the White House video has a too-brief glimpse of Mrs. O and it looks like she might be wearing the mysterious emerald dress from your post of a few weeks ago
http://mrs-o.org/newdata/?currentPage=3
CID: I agree completely! Oscar's line is absolutely beautiful, with literally dozens of looks that would be beautiful on MO. Lots of color, lots of prints and plaids, great shapes, whimsy, glamor and even a suit that would be a fun look for her (the black/white "Chanel" look, with the paper bag waistline). It's really a shame, because his looks are perfect for a stylin', imaginative First Lady like she is. Too bad. Maybe someday they can make up and move forward
Okay - on to all the others. The fun thing in our house is that Mr. Fanatic is as obsessed with this as I am. I find him, late at night, logged on to Style.com, checking out looks for MO. He's extremely well trained!
I thought it was interesting to see sheer dark stockings on many of the models when they were wearing short skirts. Barbara Tfank (wonderful as always) showed plain, lightish black, while Jason Wu showed the same shade, but with a small dot. I thought both worked well and looked elegant.
@ a MI Mom, I've gone to all of my regular sources, and haven't seen any new appearances for the First Lady this week. Promise I'll post as soon that changes!
OMG, I can hardly contain myself!!!!!!! This is TOO EXCITING!!!!!!!
President and Mrs. Obama have accepted an invitation from Queen Elizabeth II for a State Visit to London on May 24-26. This is a very high honor and in keeping with tradition, POTUS and FLOTUS will stay at Buckingham Palace. The President will receive a full ceremonial welcome and a banquet will be held in his honor.
Prime Minister David Cameron's office said it is pleased that President Obama has accepted the invitation to visit the U.K. along with first lady Michelle Obama from May 24-26. The trip will come just before a G-8 summit in France, which President Obama is expected to attend.
Stay tuned!
http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2011/02/17/obama_to_make_state_visit_to_britain_in_may/
Oh, cool! More interesting video to see. Thanks, Mrs. T. I was just looking at all those photos from the Tfrank Fall 2010 collection earlier this morning! I can see Mrs. O in some of those stunning colorful dresses and that hot pink coat. Wow.
Very inspiring, thanks for sharing!
http://imagerecycled.blogspot.com/
I wonder if Mrs. O will wear anything from the shows when she travels to the UK in May.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12497265 via obamadiary
If you get a chance, check out Costello Taagliapietra's Fall 2011 on style.com. There are some dresses that our Michelle would look awesome in. These guys are talented as heck. When they started out in the business they sewed everything by hand in their one bedroom apartment on a 30 year old Singer sewing machine! Their back story is so fascinating!
By the way, I know that a few seasons ago they got a lot of flack (and rightfully so) for not having any African American, Latino or Asian models on the runway. They vowed to correct that and they also added models that are over 40 to their arsenal. That is to be commended!
Also, check out L'Wren Scott's Fall 2011 collection. The looks that our Michelle could rock (IMO) is #s 5, 7, and 20. Also, I liked the fashions by Milly. Wow, are they colorful! OK, that's all for now, I think (smile).
Thanks, Mrs. T!
Ooooh, Barbara Tfank collection is luscious. Some great choices here for the UK State Dinner...or maybe Jason Wu?
For those interested in Michelle's dress from the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony, she appears three times in it on the new West Wing Week video. Link below. These are behind the scene clips with the Obamas posing with the recipients. First is at about 12 seconds in with President H. W. Bush, and then at around 3 minutes in with Yo-Yo Ma, and the final one final one around 4:20 with Warren Buffett
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/02/18/west-wing-week-goodbye-gibbs
Hey guys, if you get a chance, check out Isaac Mizrahi's Fall 2011 collection on style.com. There are some delicious looking Michelle Obama outfits there! Our Michelle would look regal in that grey ballgown. It's look #31 and it's a real looker!
Robin Givhan's has an interesting take on fashion week:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-02-17/new-york-fashion-week-shows-little-creative-brilliance/
Well, well, well,
http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2011/02/diane_von_furstenberg_embarras.html
Someone probably brought to Diane's attention that her clothes are not even made in America, which made her comments VERY out of place.
Charlene, I agree that the Mizrahi collection is pretty fun. My favorite for Mrs. O is the stunning gray gown at #34. Wow! I can also see her in a few other things.
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/F2011RTW-MIZRAHI/
I heard that President Obama and Mrs. O are going to South America in March. Can anyone confirm this?
I'm so glad a conversation started about the Mizrahi line. I think he's terrific, with such good talent and taste and a sense of humor as well. I agree MO would look great in several of these looks. But if she dyes Bo's snowy white paws and "jabot" pink, I'm out of here!!
Go to style.com and check out the Jonathan Saunders show. Fabulous! Great color and print combos. They would need a bit of tweaking to work for MO (at least in her role these days), but some of them are absolutely her look. I was not familiar with Saunders, but I'm a fan now.
Okay - this is my last post of the night. But do check out the Issa line from the London shows. This is the designer that Kate Middleton wore for the announcement of the engagement (the blue dress), and one she's worn quite a bit all along. Really beautiful, body conscious, feminine and exciting clothes. It would not surprise me to see MO wearing something from Issa on her trip to London in May. Very much her kind of look. And wearing something from a host country would be very much her diplomatic style.
@ Operafanatic, who knew about Jonanthon Saunders? Wow! That was awesome and our Michelle could really shine in his designs!
That Issa line is sharp! The gowns are superb. Both of these designers have some unique color combinations that I love. I can see FLOTUS in a few of these, also.
@lisa, its true they are going to South America.
I do like the Issa designs the most of any of the above. The fit, colors, prints, and draping are wonderful.
ALSO, Note that #14 of the Issa slides appears to be a Plus-size model! Nice to see.
A lot of very lovely clothes there. I'm always slightly mesmerised by Narciso Rodriguez' clothes. He always manages to find new perspectives on his graphic designs that are really arresting. My top favourites here though were Prabal Gurung and Jason Wu, with Michael Kors coming in a very pretty third. That sweatshirt at Jason Wu did it for me and all the gorgeous silks cut so cleverly. Wonderful.
Dang, that is one skinhy woman in the last pic.
OMG, that Naeem Khan collection is breathtaking!!!! Mrs. T, how lucky to see this in person!! I'm just awestruck by his work - the design, fabric, flow, palette, embellishment. So incredibly feminine and modern, every piece an absolute beauty. WOW!! Thank you. I must go look for the slideshow.
Yes...Naeem Khan. His line is sumptuous! The fabric choices are really quite stunning. His designs are truly regal.