A $384 Million H&M Dress?

Image by Peter Kramer / NBC / AP Images

Earlier today, a reader noted that the Tory Burch Senal Jacket, worn by Mrs. O in Atlanta yesterday, has already sold out. When I first posted the link, there were multiple sizes available. (Update: As of 2/14, more stock is in.)

Then word came from Professor David Yermack of NYU Stern that H&M stock rose from 210.7 to 213.7 in Swedish krona on Wednesday, representing an increase of 1.43%. With 827 million shares outstanding, the company's market capitalization rose by $384 million. Which does make one wonder – was Mrs. O's $34.95 dress responsible for the considerable gain?

Long-time reader "Charlene in Detroit" supports the correlation with this anecdote:

"To anyone looking for the H&M dress, best of luck! The H&M store in the suburbs near me said it sold out last night and people are still calling looking for it today!"

And from The Boston Herald:

"In Boston, both Downtown Crossing and Newbury Street locations of the fast fashion retailer have been fielding calls from customers looking to track down the dress, but it is available only in limited quantities at the downtown store."

Conclusion? It seems all is well with "The Mrs. O Effect" at retail.

Celebrating Let's Move

Images by John Amis / AP Photos, Lawrence Jackson / Official White House Photo

The first lady topped off a day of media appearances to mark the first year of her "Let's Move" initiative to combat childhood obesity with a trip to Atlanta, GA, where she met with students at Burgess-Peterson Academy. Later, Mrs. O spoke about "Let's Move" at the North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, GA. 

For her first appearance, Mrs. O paired a herringbone vest with a black top and trousers, all belted at the waist. Later, the first lady changed into an ivory skirt suit.  

Update: Hooray for reader Godiva, who informs me that the first lady wore the knit chevron Senal Jacket by Tory Burch, available here.

[Let's Move]

Mrs. O on Today

...and Regis & Kelly! 

P.S. Curious about what Mrs. O is wearing? The Washington Post reports the navy polka dot dress was designed by Swedish retail chain H&M, adding:

The first lady donned a navy polka dot knee-length day dress with a ruffled collar by Swedish retail chain H&M. The dress is part of their current collection and retails for $34.95. She paired the dress with a thick red belt and yellow kitten heels. It appears she did not wear the red sash that accompanies the dress.

The first lady's office didn't comment on who designed her accessories, but confirmed that she was wearing a dress by the fast-fashion retailer H&M.

But that's not all! People.com reports that Mrs. O had the dress customized, adding sleeves to the H&M design. The original dress, seen below, is currently available in H&M stores as part of their Spring collection.

"First Lady wears $34.95 dress H&M dress on the Today Show" [The Washington Post]

"First Lady Michelle Obama Rocks $35 H&M Dress" [People]

Mrs. O and Ikram, Still Collaborating?

Well, this is an interesting twist. In a new Washington Post piece by Nia-Malika Henderson, here, the first lady "denied reports that she has changed her stylist, Ikram Goldman." This runs counter to recent stories from esteemed fashion journalists Robin Givhan and Cathy Horyn, here and here.

Givhan reported that "Goldman ... hasn't been riding herd over the first lady's wardrobe in some time," while Horyn wrote, "For what it’s worth, I hear that Ikram Goldman, the Chicago retailer, is no longer directly involved with Mrs. Obama’s wardrobe, since December."

Is it a matter of semantics, perhaps the word "stylist"? Or merely circulation of bad information? Hmm ... this is quite peculiar. 

On the fashion front, she continues to draw attention and headlines for every outfit, no matter the circumstance - New York Magazine's Web site ran an item titled "Michelle Obama Observed a Moment of Silence in Narciso Rodriguez" when she donned a blue overcoat in the wake of the Tucson shootings. And her choice of a floor-length Alexander McQueen gown for the state dinner honoring China drew scrutiny from conservatives for its color (red), and some in the fashion industry balked that she went with a British design house. She denied reports that she has changed her stylist, Ikram Goldman.

"I like to patronize American designers, and the vast majority of the clothes that I wear are. But there are a lot of other designers that have cute stuff, too. So I don't think that I'm any different from any other woman other than the fact that people see what I wear and then they talk about it," she said.

"But my decisions aren't so complex. It's really just sort of: 'How cold is it? Do I have to stand outside?' and 'What am I going to use to cover my arms if I'm freezing so I'm not shivering while I have to give a speech?' It's really stuff like that."

"Michelle Obama's unfolding legacy" [The Washington Post]

"Michelle Obama on what she wears" [Politico]

"More Evidence That Michelle Obama Has Ditched Stylist Ikram Goldman" [NYMag]

Must Read Mrs. O

A few new stories to share with you:

First, an interesting perspective from designer and NYC garment district advocate Nanette Lepore: 

"The First Lady's Dress" [The Huffington Post]

Next, well-timed with the launch of her new book, Everyday Icon: Michelle Obama and the Power of Style, out today, Kate Betts shares her thoughts on the ten best-dressed first ladies: 

"Top 10 Best-Dressed First Ladies" [The Daily Beast]

Wednesday marks the first anniversary of the first lady's "Let's Move" initiative and represents a big day for Mrs. O. The first lady will kick things off with a media tour de force, appearing on the Today Show and Live with Regis & Kelly, followed by a personal appearance at Burgess Peterson Academy, an elementary school in Atlanta, GA.