Power Pink
Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at 10:45 PM 
The first lady was seated in the audience of tonight's second presidential debate. For the occasion, Mrs. O wore a bold pink dress and matching jacket accessorized with a single strand of pearls. Of note, both Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Romney wore similarly hued pink dresses described as "pepto-pink" and "bubblegum" in initial reactions on Twitter. It seems likely that the women chose the hue in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month.
WWD consulted with Leatrice Eiseman of the Pantone Color Institute for more perspective on the color. Eiseman's take? “It is a true shocking pink. It is right on the mark. If you look at it from a historical perspective, it would be a Schiaparelli pink."
Update: Mrs. O wears a neon boucle crepe princess seamed sheath dress and jacket by Michael Kors. For those curious, Ann Romney wore a short-sleeve dress by Oscar de la Renta.
"Political Fashion: Michelle Obama and Ann Romney's Dueling Pink Dresses" [WWD]
Michael Kors
Reader Comments (32)
Im loving pink on Mrs-O. furthermore, her husband rocked the house tonight!
She was definitely PRETTY IN PINK tonight!!!! She wore the hell out of that dress tonight!!! Her hair is the SHIZNIT!!! She makes me want to get layers cut back in my hair!
Mentor in chief, I love her and well done to the President. I know this is not a political forum and Mrs T has reminded us of this fact but I stayed up very late to watch him deliver. He absolutely nailed it last night. I wonder why America ever doubted him.
Well gotdamnit! Who's this pretty lady? This colour is poping! She looks awesome.
I LOOOOVE that suit, Pink is definitely my power color. Cannot wait for all
the details.
Lovely, lovely lady in a lovely modern pink suit. A first lady for the 21st century!
Mrs. O looked stunning, and the loving way she embraced the crowd and they embraced her was really the stark reality of the night.
Oh Dear Fashion God, please give us four more years!! Please!!!
Inspiring! Work the power of PINK First Lady. Fabulousity taken to the 10th power - Obama 2012!
This is a fabulous color and suit on Mrs. O. She looks fabulous, and I agree with Jestina that our President did a great job last night and with others that Mrs. O has built a strong rapport with the American people. Forward!
Thank you Mrs. T! I'm feeling like a little girl on Christmas morning with a new toy!!! Love this pink ensemble and Mrs. O's hair was perfection. What a wonderful Wednesday (Christmas) morning!
Stunning, Elegant, and beauty personified.
Pamela - London
Mrs. O looked amazing as always - she's such an inspiration!
@ The Cincinnati Kid - Amen to that, Amen !!!
FLOTUS looks so elegant and chic in this outfit. I love the color, I love the cropped jacket and the pearls as well. We are so lucky to have this gorgeous, chic and intelligent woman as our First Lady!
Pink is my favorite color! My favorite First Lady wore that outfit well!
So elegant...every inch our First Lady! What an exciting evening!
She went bold - yay!
I love this suit. Michael Kors always has smart, classic clothing and the color is a nice change.
Bevi, that is so true!!
Michelle looks like a dream in this ensemble .She could not look any better. Did you notice how the president walk into her waiting arms soon after the debate? So lovely to see....she is all that and more and it shows.!!!!
Perfectly Passionate in Pink!
PINK OUT! FLOTUS rocked it.
The First Lady looks fantastic!
@Alma, she is the electrical outlet from which he recharges himself after such an exhausting exercise. He knew he had done well by the way she smiled at and held him. He looked for her immediately and couldn't miss her in that startling and stunning pink outfit.
This stunning colour speaks volumes and so did the moment.
@ Jestina - I'm sure there are many of us who never for 1 second had any
doubts, THIS IS THE Great Leader we loved from the beginning.
Fantastic night for so many reasons including celebrating 2 men that know what American women want, that would be Pres. Obama and wait for it ... the amazing Michael Kors : )
Mrs T, thanks for the Ann Romney tidbit, but we really aren't interested!! (Btw-comment is meant in jest)......well just a little:)
There's NO debate about who has more style! I love our First Lady... and her husband too!
I agree, Cincinnati Kid - that Ann Romney is NOTHING compared to our lovely FLOTUS!
I'm still swooning over this one! I love that Schiaparelli pink, yes ma'am.
HOMERUN for FLOTUS!
The First Lady looked smart and energetic in this pink power suit. The look is streamlined and brings out her youthfulness.