Up Next: Sophie Theallet x Nine West

Image from Vogue, November 2009

Exciting news for fans of Mrs.O-favorite designer Sophie Theallet! Per Jim Shi, fashion journalist extraordinaire, Sophie Theallet has designed a capsule collection for Nine West, set to debut soon. There's nothing like a good bit of fashion democracy to brighten one's day. Can't wait to see!

A bit more from Racked NY:

Designer Sophie Theallet has inked a collaboration deal with Nine West to create a capsule accessories collection "spanning handbags and shoes in shades of pink and brown, and a couple of charm bracelets and necklaces, which boast the Eiffel Tower and Theallet's initials," reports Fashionologie.

New Year, New Looks

Images by Saul Loeb / Getty Images

The First Lady left Hawaii last evening wearing a simple white tee and pink leopard print skirt. This morning Mrs. O was back to Washington, D.C. and dressed for winter weather, deplaning in fleur de lis applique pants (certainly a first lady first), a gray wool coat with lace trim by Thakoon, seen here, and Prova scarf. The First Lady debuted said coat in September 2010, here. Hope everyone is having a fabulous start to 2011! 

Best of 2010

It just doesn't feel right to ring in 2011 without a recap of favorite Mrs. O style moments from 2010. (Hopefully this falls into the better late than never category!) Please find my top picks from 2010 below. I would love to hear your favorites, as I have surely missed a few gems.

February 2010: The First Lady donned a billowing, printed Spring 2008 blouse from Alexander McQueen just days after the legendary designer passed away. The choice was a tremendous, thoughtful gesture by Mrs. O, showing that fashion as message is the most inspiring kind.

Official White House photo by Lawrence Jackson

June 2010: The President and First Lady traveled to Toronto for the G20 Summit in late June. Mrs. O wore a ruffled Alaia frock for the occasion that can only be described in one word -- sexy. With this look, Mrs. O continued to break new style ground as first lady, embodying the modern, American woman. 

August 2010: Mrs. O delighted in Spain, wearing a white cotton Alaia top and rose pink Moschino skirt. But perhaps the real star was darling Sasha Obama, who coordinated with her mother's palette in cheery crewcuts separates. The Obama daughters began to show their own fashion prowess this year, which adds a fun, new dimension to style in the White House. 

Photos by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images

November 2010: The President and First Lady's entire trip to India and Indonesia merits "Best of 2010" status, but I've selected just one favorite look. Below Mrs. O wears a skirt by Dries Van Noten skirt, which adds yet another interesting designer to Mrs. O's ever-expanding style repertoire. If an unexpected choice, the skirt was utterly gorgeous, and perfect for the setting. An Alexis Bittar pin at the shoulder added a signature Mrs. O touch.

Official White House photo by Pete Souza

It feels almost impossible to select favorites, as there were so many gorgeous, chic moments to choose from. Other top picks: December's holiday frocks seemed to signal a new chapter in Mrs. O's fashion. In a few short weeks the first lady wore Marc Jacobs and vintage Normal Norell, both significant, new moments in Mrs. O's style history. May's state dinner to honor the president and first lady of Mexico was another high point, highlighted by a gorgeous gown by Peter Soronen, and a stately dress and coat from Calvin Klein Collection, paired with an inventive Erickson Beamon collar necklace. Of course there were gorgeous frocks by Thakoon, Barbara Tfank and Rachel Roy too. 

It's exciting to begin a new year, which will undoubtedly be filled with inspiration -- sartorial and far beyond -- from Michelle Obama. Thank you all for continuing to follow this blog, and making it a little sparkle in my day (and hopefully in yours too). Wishing you a wonderful 2011! xo Mrs. T

UPDATE: A few of the top Reader's Picks follow below.

May 2010: Mrs. O wears Fall 2009 Barbara Tfank for a Wounded Warrior event at the White House.

Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton

August 2010: Mrs. O tours Spain in a bold shoulder Jean Paul Gaultier top.

Image by Jorge Guerrero

December 2010: The first lady dons vintage Normal Norell for "Christmas in Washington."

Image by Yuri Gripas / Reuters Pictures

A Hawaiian Holiday

Photo by Kent Nishimura/Pool/Sipa Press USA 

The First Family has continued their tradition of spending the Christmas holiday in Hawaii. As they did last year, the President and First Lady visited Anderson Hall at the Marine Corps Base in Kaneohe, Hawaii on Christmas day.

On the fashion front, Mrs. O paired a white tank with a graphic white skirt from the Transition 2011 collection from Jolibe, seen here. Jolibe is a New York City-based label, started by Joel Diaz and Christina LaPens. The fashion house is sponsored by the CFDA Fashion Incubator, a fund designed to support the next generation of fashion designers in New York City. It seems Mrs. O has her eye on yet another pair of rising young design stars!

Update: Mrs. O wears a cuff bracelet by Kara Ross NY

A Christmas Message

Above the President and First Lady deliver a Christmas message in a rare joint video appearance. Mrs. O wears a Calvin Klein Collection cowl neck dress last seen on the cover of Ladies' Home Journal, here, paired with Kara Ross NY earrings. Great to see Mrs. O getting such mileage out of her fancier frocks! Hope the First Family is have a restful holiday and very Merry Christmas ... and the same to you!