A Global Style Icon in the Making

Photo courtesy of the White House / Eric Draper 

We've noticed interest in Mrs. O's style growing apace around the world, particularly since the election last week. Without doubt, the Maria Pinto coral red dress she wore at the White House yesterday caused a spike in global media admiration, with the dress earning its own column inches in the mainstream British press.

Sarah Vine, lead columnist at The Times in London talks of her choice today saying, "It is a dress that requires total self belief and chutzpah...it has been a long while since a neckline as fashion-forward as this has been spotted within a mile of the Oval Office...by wearing it Mrs. Obama is leaving no room for confusion: she means business."

In an earlier piece, also for The Times, Vine talked of how Mrs. O challenges Carla Bruni, the ex-super model wife of President Sarkozy of France, in the style stakes: "For Carla Bruni, reigning queen of First Ladies, the game is finally up....in Michelle Obama, Ms. Bruni has truly met her match. This is a First Lady like none before.....Everything about this woman speaks to the modern, post-feminist woman: she is manifestly clever, independently minded, attractive in a normal, accessible way....Her demeanour is a reassuring mixture of sassy and self-deprecating; her easy, confident dress sense neither too sexy nor too self-conscious."

Mrs. O's uncanny knack of mixing her labels with high street basics was noticed by Carola Long at the UK's Independent newspaper. We also particularly liked a piece written back at the end of September by Shane Watson for The Sunday Times which credits Mrs. O's style as one which provides women the world over with a great new working look: "For once a woman in a position of power has not felt compelled to follow a formula, and is power dressing as herself..."

Check out the article itself for Watson's Mrs. O-inspired "Rules of the Real Power Dressing". Post her entry last year in Vanity Fair's International Best-Dressed list perhaps the global media interest should come as no surprise. It remains to be seen if Mrs. O's style will remain a topic of such hot interest and debate, but it certainly seems like she is shaping up to be something of a global style icon in the making.

Vogue Knows Best

Photo from Flickr user Barack Obama via David Katz for Obama for America // Creative Commons  Mrs. O topped another best-dressed list this week. But this wasn't just any list - it was Vogue's. And rather than a nod to Mrs. O's general sartorial savvy, this was a celebration of a very specific dress. The Narciso Rodriguez election night dress. In black and red embroidered silk chiffon and black satin, it's a sight we now know well. We've combed through the comments and have a good sense of the sentiments out there. But despite the groundswell of feelings a tad towards the negative, we're going to call for a bow to the fashion gods here. If we know anything, it's that in the realm of fashion forward, Vogue knows best. We think it's only fitting that they have the final word on this one.

White House Debut for Maria Pinto Frock

Photo courtesy of the White House / Chris Greenberg

Mrs. O made this one easy on us. It turns out our election night prediction was off by a few days, as Mrs. O wore the coral-red Maria Pinto dress to visit the White House today (as many of you have already flagged - we love the group effort here).he coral-red silk crepe sheath features three-quarter sleeves, an empire waist and a high neckline with a burst of sunray pleats emanating from the collar. Purchased several months ago, but not yet worn to a major event, Pinto thought Mrs. O might debut it for election night. Mrs. O accessorized the look with simple gold hoop earrings and patent leather red heels.

We have to say, Mrs. O looked fresh-faced and well-rested today. The mini break post-election has really done her well. And the dress. The clean lines flatter her figure, while the pleating at the neckline adds just the right touch of detail. If this isn't Jackie-esque, we don't know what is. This also makes good on President-elect Mr. O's promise to Maria Pinto: "You're coming to D.C. with us!" he said to the designer as he greeted friends and family backstage at Grant Park last Tuesday evening.

Though there's never been much doubt, we can say confidently that Maria Pinto will soon hold the same clout Oleg Cassini did in the Jackie Kennedy era.

Update: Have a peek at this Washington Post video for full coverage. And these exclusive photos from inside the White House.

Date: November 10, 2008

Venue: President-elect Mr. O and future First Lady Mrs. O visit the White House

Effortlessly Chic

Just look here and here. The swing of the wool coat, the bracelet length sleeve, the peek of delicate fabric at the hem, the oversized clutch. Mrs. O, you are simply breathtaking.

Update: Another gorgeous photo from the Chicago Tribune; plus a bit of investigative work on Mrs. O's knee high boots - Stuart Weitzman perhaps?

Date: November 8, 2008

Venue:Dinner with President-elect Mr. O at Chicago restaurant Spiaggia

A Gown for the Ages

Design used with kind permission from The Daily Beast

All eyes now focus on the Inaugural Ball and what Mrs. O will wear for what will surely be a historic occasion. For all intents and purposes, the Inaugural Ball will set the tone for Mrs. O’s White House style. Everything up until now, the Thakoon frocks, the Maria Pinto sheathes, although compelling, have been just an amuse bouche for the main course.

As designers clamor for the opportunity to dress Mrs. O, The Daily Beast posed this challenge to former Project Runway favorites: design a gown, fabulous enough to befit the lady wearing it, using an American flag, a burlap sack, first lady Laura Bush's inaugural gown (think pale blue and sparkly) plus ten dollars for trimming.  

A challenge for any designer, but one worth the taking for these burgeoning couturiers. Here we’ll profile our favorite 4 of the 8 designs. To see the full range of gowns, click over to The Daily Beast.

Mychael Knight, Season 3 Semifinalist

Oh Mychael, the man who brought us glamour from the dumpster (one of his first challenge wins) and then took us on an urban safari for the finale – you are broad in your aesthetic grasp.  There is something very chic about the dress.  The flag used for body of the dress, along with the large bow, have a very McQueen quality. Taken individually each aspect of the dress is good, but together there might be too many bells and whistles. 

Alison Dahl Kelly, Season 3

Alison Dahl Kelly was the tragedy of Season 3, and a designer we are happy to see again.  Dahl's design uses the burlap sack dyed a chic black, and embellished with a sash and appliqués made from the lining of Laura’s dress.  The wide belt would be fantastic for Mrs.O and extremely figure flattering.  However, the cocktail length may be breaking too much with convention for the Inaugural Ball.  We fully endorse this dress for another occasion – perhaps a photo op on the lawn with the girls and Puppy O?

Rami Kashou, Season 4 Finalist

Rami, Rami – nothing like neoclassical draping to spell the triumph of democracy (think Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People).  The exterior of the dress is draped from Laura Bush’s dress with the interior flag stripe peaking through the folds.  The waist is clinched with a burlap belt.  We like the mix of classical drape and of the moment trend – belting everything.  This would be a good but safe pick for the ball.

Leanne Marshall, Season 5 Winner

We love Leanne and we love this dress.  In keeping with her sculptural dresses from her final collection (very Balenciaga Spring 2007), Leanne builds texture and volume by layering the neckline of the dress.  The deep, but not too deep, V of the neck is universally flattering, while the faux wrap adds an unexpected twist.  The clinched waist is clearly a winner.  We love the pockets, which adds a modern casualness to the dress, without diminishing the elegance.  The most fabulous part of this dress is in the hidden detail.  Although it looks like a vision of beige or more accurately, burlap, the entire dress is lined in the flag stripe.  Polished on the outside, with humor on the inside – we love.

So there you have it – our thoughts on some fabulous potential designs for Mrs. O's big night. Chances are Mrs. O's more likely to wear boucle than burlap, but regardless, it’s fun to see designer imagination at work. Have a peek over at The Daily Beast and let us know what you think.