A Covetous Trio

Photo credit: Flickr user Barack Obama // Creative Commons

Several of you have written in to inquire about Mrs. O's multi-strand gold and bronze necklace, seen above at a LGBT luncheon during the Democratic National Convention and again in a Details magazine photo. A bit of research reveals the necklaces are by Erickson Beamon, the same designer duo behind many of Mrs. O's brooches. A fresh take on classic pearls, Mrs. O in fact wears three Japanese glass pearl necklaces in bronze, gold and champagne from the Erickson Beamon "Peace at Last" collection. The necklaces above and more favorites from Erickson Beamon can be found at newly opened Beyond 7 in New York, and Ikram in Chicago. Stay tuned for more Mrs. O jewelry exclusives later this week.

Photo used with kind permission from Erickson Beamon / Showroom Seven New York

The Meaning of Michelle

Photo courtesy of PRNewsFoto/NEWSWEEK

On newsstands today, Mrs. O appears on the cover of Newsweek, accompanied by a feature article "The Meaning of Michelle" and another brilliant collection of photos tracing back to her childhood. This is Mrs. O's second cover for Newsweek; the first was in February 2008. Oddly enough, we believe Mrs. O wears the same top for this cover that we featured in a post last week. Though the image is in black and white, we can see the pleating at the center of the collar and reflection of the fabric. A color photograph by the same photographer, Charles Ommanney, helps to connect the dots. While it doesn't quite rival our favorite, we do love a Mrs. O profile picture - and unposed, this image conveys openness and sincerity.

Moschino and a Smashing Slide Show

Screenshot used with kind permission from BlackVoices

Our friends at BlackVoices shared a fantastic new slide show on the evolution of Mrs. O's style and we wanted to pass it along. Click here to have a peek. Of note is Mrs. O's ensemble on Slide 5, as seen above. Taken on May 20, 2008 at a rally in Des Moines, Iowa, Mrs. O wears a pear green jacket and skirt from Moschino's Spring 2008 collection - the same collection that brought us this favorite Mrs. O look as well. Accessorized with blue and green enamel pins fastened atop the self tie belt, the look is fresh, modern and distinctly Mrs. O. Paired with black pants, Mrs. O later wore the jacket in August as she prepared to give her keynote address at the Democratic National Convention. We love a hidden gem that finally has its day in the limelight.

DVF and Thakoon Make Short List

Though surely Mrs. O's dress for the Inaugural Ball will remain a secret until its debut, we can at least begin to pull together an informed short list. Per NY Mag, both Diane von Furstenberg and Thakoon have submitted designs. Though Thakoon didn't exactly confirm, we can read between the lines with great delight.

Last night at the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award dinner Diane Von Furstenberg told us she has submitted sketches for Michelle Obama's inaugural ball gown. "Well, they asked me to. Of course, everybody has," she said. Thakoon Panichgul, one of Michelle's favorite designers, tried to remain elusive when we asked if he'd submitted sketches. "Um … we'll see what happens," he said with a devilish smirk.

What other designers should make the list? We'd love to hear your thoughts. Also to note, a few budding designers have contacted us to share their designs for Mrs. O. Notably Tonya Tate, who's begun a one woman campaign to dress the future First Lady. We're certain Mrs. O would be touched to know she's inspiring such creative expression. For those budding designers out there - we'd love you to link to your designs in our comments section. On a final DVF note, CNN has just debuted a new program "Revealed: Diane von Furstenberg", which goes behind the scenes of DVF's New York City office to see what it takes to put on a fashion show in Florence - the designer's first in Europe. The segment premiered last night, but future airdates can be found here. For a sneak peek:

From Iowa to India

Photo used with kind permission from photographer Rusty Martin

We've been eager to feature this photo from the second we came across it. Taken in May 2007, Mrs. O visits with the Meyers of western Iowa in a neighborhood backyard. Though endearing on many levels, we were instantly struck by Mrs. O's ensemble. The deep peach hue of Mrs. O's silk top, softly folded at the neckline, catches the light and jumps from the page.

Though we most often think of Maria Pinto with respect to dresses for Mrs. O, the designer recently told WWD: "Michelle has [also] worn suits, blouses and skirts, depending on when you catch her," which may indeed apply to the blouse pictured here.

The color, fabric and shape are reminiscent of pieces from Pinto's Spring 2008 collection, though timing wise, this blouse would have come earlier. A lovely photo in its own right, it also brought to mind an iconic image from an earlier era. In March of 1962, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy traveled to India with her younger sister Lee Radziwell. Taking a cruise of Lake Pichola in Udaipur, Mrs. Kennedy wore an Oleg Cassini dress in a brilliant apricot silk. 

Image used with kind permission from the Kennedy Library / Public Domain

"She must have studied terribly carefully. Every dress she wears becomes a marvelous spot of color. The pale apricot silk she wore for the boat ride on Lake Pichola was wonderful against these pink-tinged castles in the water," an admiring journalist told Joan Braden for the Saturday Evening Post.

Though of course not identical, the similarity of color and the role it plays in each photograph - attracting both light and the eye, and springing forth from the page - make these images feel cut from the same cloth (figuratively speaking, of course). And in contrast, that one is set in Iowa and the other India, only adds to the charm.