Mme O in Paris Match

Image used with kind permission from Flickr user badbilladams9

As comparisons between Mrs. O and Carla Bruni Sarkozy heat up, Mrs. O was profiled in French publication Paris Match this week. What's most notable is the absolutely stunning photograph of Mrs. O featured in the article, taken by photographer Annie Leibovitz. We're almost certain the photograph is from the same Annie Leibovitz photo shoot with Mrs. O for a Vogue feature in September 2007. Mrs. O's styling and accessories are identical.

Since we were on the subject of up-dos yesterday, here is yet another example where Mrs. O looks modern and elegant with her hair pulled up. On the photoshoot, Ingrid Grimes, Mrs. O's hand-picked makeup woman commented, "Her natural style is classic and elegant. She doesn't like a lot of fuss." Revisiting the Vogue feature, we were also struck that two designer names were mentioned that we don't often (if ever) hear in relation to Mrs. O's style: "On the rare occassion she finds a moment to shop, she says, she is drawn to Giorgio Armani or MaxMara for suits."

Finally, you, like us, may be wondering who designed the lovely dress Mrs. O wears in the photograph. Based on the signature cut-out at the side, we believe it's very likely Narciso Rodriguez. Update: Click here to see the dress on the runway from Narciso Rodriguez's Fall 2007 RTW collection.

What did Lady Laura show Mrs. O?

"...all the things that women are interested in."

Must Read Mrs. O

Photo by Flickr user Mike Baird // Creative Commons

After a week of non-stop coverage on Mrs. O's election night dress, all eyes now look forward. What style influence will Mrs. O have as first lady? And of greatest interest, what and who will she wear for the Inaugural Ball?

Slate Magazine offers "Fashion Advice for Michelle Obama" (and calls us an "obsessive new blog dedicated to her sartorial choices"). A great read and love note to Mrs. O's style. Our only point of contention is the warning about up-dos. We've never seen a Mrs. O up-do we didn't love. Evidence above.

In an interview with Maria Pinto, WWD uncovers information about a not yet worn Mrs. O ensemble: "Obama has at least one more [Maria] Pinto design she has yet to wear publicly, a lean black cashmere number with a 'cascade effect' in back." On what she'd like to see Mrs. O wear for the Inaugural Ball, Pinto says: “I see her sleek but with more froth. It’s right for the moment. I don’t see her in a big, poofy ball skirt.” (Thanks for pointing us to this one Audrey.)

Forbes joins the Inaugural Ball speculation with "Ten Inaugural Gowns Fit For Michelle Obama". A fun read, though they've missed a few obvious contenders in their slide show. Donna Karan talks of designing for Mrs. O in U.K. magazine Grazia: "She has so much of her own style, I would love to dress her. It's not about her clothes, it's really about who she is, and her passion for her children, culture and wellness. I'm hoping to get to work with them - it would be my dream."

From Mrs. O's hometown, the Chicago Tribune declares: "Michelle Obama emerges as an American fashion icon". In the article, Tim Long, Curator of Costumes at the Chicago History Museum, says this of Mrs. O: "As we learn about how much interest she has in fashion, it will be one other thing that shows a complete picture of these two people, who are sophisticated in many ways."

Update: Let's add Jezebel's latest post "Michelle Obama in Vogue: What Should She Wear?" to the list. (Thanks Lisa for sending us the link.) This post follows much speculation that Vogue has approached Mrs. O to grace its cover. And Jezebel's sartorial suggestions are spot-on - this purple embellished number in particular.

Condi Offers Style Tips

At Glamour's Women of the Year awards, held on November 10 in NYC, U.S. Secretary of State and honoree Condoleezza Rice offered a bit of fashion advice for Mrs. O: "Well, she's terrific. She looks wonderful in everything that she wears," Rice told Us Magazine. "I know she'll do what I believe - which is to wear things you feel good in. Things that are yours, not something that someone gave you." "Also," Rice added, "it's okay to wear red once in a while."

Will Mrs. O Go International?

One of Mrs. O's favorite designers is the latest to launch a collection for Target's Go International series: Thakoon Panichgul. “They were very easy to work with,” Panichgul said of the the partnership with Target. “They wanted a lot of prints, and I chose silhouettes that have done well in the past." Sounds like a winning formula for Mrs. O, who has a recent track record of wearing Thakoon dresses, blouses and jackets. The question is: Will Mrs. O wear Thakoon high and low? A fashion democrat through and through, it's not out of the realm of possibilities. While much of the collection for Target has a decidedly younger slant, we think this floral jacket would be a good fit for Mrs. O. In fact, the print is a tad reminiscent of the Thakoon dress Mrs. O wore for the 2008 DNC Finale. Check out NY Mag for more images from the Thakoon for Target collection, here. The collection is slated to debut at Target on December 25, Christmas Day.