Chicago Fashion, Part II

We're as eager for new Mrs. O fashion news as you are, but it seems Mrs. O is enjoying a well deserved mini-break from the public eye. She's scheduled to be back on the campaign trail tomorrow, so don't fret, there's bound to be more fashion goodness just around the corner. In the meantime we thought we'd follow up with Part II of our look at the Chicago style scene.

Our second and final stop was at the Maria Pinto boutique, the showroom of Mrs. O's signature designer and personal friend. The boutique is nestled among old warehouses and converted loft spaces on North Randolph Jefferson St. in Chicago’s West Loop. After a short flight of stairs up to the showroom floor, we were greeted by a friendly salesperson, Armand. The new store smell still fresh, he informed us that the boutique had opened just two months prior with production now housed on the 6th floor above. 

As we took in the store, a familiar turquoise frock immediately caught our eye. Upon closer inspection, we were surprised to find the fabric much lighter and more fluid than it had appeared on TV and in photos, akin to a light wool suiting material. The dress was displayed with Pinto's Fall ’08 collection, a cohesive mix of black and deep pinks in rich textures from silk to tweed. Across the showroom a selection of Maria Pinto eveningwear put a sparkle in our eye. A blush colored razor back dress with billowing cocoon skirt and a structured black evening dress with lace cut out at the back, both from Pinto’s Spring ’08 collection, were instant favorites.

The standout though was a piece from Pinto’s Fall ’08 collection, a short black evening dress with icicle-like sequins stemming up and down from the waist. Our taste of Chicago fashion was brief but delightfully rich - and in our assessment the buzz is well merited. It's no wonder that Mrs. O likes to keep her fashion local.

Tangerine Twist

Photo used with kind permission from photographer Brett Marty, www.brettmarty.com

Mrs. O was back on the campaign trail yesterday at a rally in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, PA sporting an autumnal palette of blacks and oranges. Wearing a dress with bold, graphic print and a long, slim black cardigan Mrs. O pulled the look together with yet another of her signature pins, this time in a flamboyant tangerine shade. Has Mrs. O's influence sent sales of brooches soaring, we wonder? Taking a break from her usual ballet flats, she accessorized with black kitten heels.

So who is behind today’s frock of choice? With its bold, splashy print the look has a lot in common with the Thakoon dresses Mrs. O has been favoring lately. However, our research suggests this may in fact be J. Crew's Abstract Rose dress in wool flannel. The one inconsistency is the flash of printed fabric at the hem. Did Mrs. O secure a special edition perhaps? 

Date: Thursday, October 16

Venue: Campaign rally at the Soliders and Sailors Memorial, Pittsburgh, PA

Guess who was in attendance last night?

We'd recognize that Louise Brooks bob anywhere. Wonder if she and Mrs. O had any fashion sidebars?

A Knockout in Cerulean Blue

Well, the gloves may have been off for the final presidential debate but Mrs. O’s style instincts most certainly weren’t. On a night with so much at stake she chose to return to the classics, with a look that offered a masterclass in the Michelle Obama signature style.

The jewel-colored shift dress has been a Mrs. O favorite since she first exploded onto our style radar back in the primaries. Last night saw her in a beautifully tailored, cap sleeved shift in a gorgeous shade of cerulean blue. We can’t confirm the designer, but with its resemblance both to this favorite from the convention and that now iconic violet shift-and-Alaia-belt combination we strongly suspect another Maria Pinto hit.

Mrs. O accessorized with another style signature-pearls with a twist. Throughout the campaign we’ve been fascinated by how she’s taken that First Lady staple and made it her own. Last night was no exception, with a classic string of pearls updated and personalized with a series of floral pins.

We know Mrs. O has a style-savvy habit of reusing and recycling her accessories - these sequined brooches have been a recurring favorite - so perhaps we can expect to see these beauties again between now and election days.

Update: Heard on the Runway confirms that Mrs. O's dress last night was indeed a Maria Pinto design.

Pre-Debate Poise

Photo used with kind permission from photographer Stephen Spindler

It was a jam-packed Wednesday for Mrs. O. Before making an appearance at the final Presidential Debate at Hofstra University on Long Island, Mrs. O spoke at a mid-day rally in Fort Wayne, IN. How she managed both in a single day, looking stylish no less, is a feat in itself. Wearing a gray turtleneck sweater and her favorite pair of necklaces, Mrs. O again displayed a knack for making casual look polished. What appears to be a basic turtleneck in fact has several subtle details. Note the solid fabric through the shoulder and at the buttoned, tailored cuff. Now on to the main attraction of the evening: the final debate dress.

Date: October 15, 2008

Venue: Grand Wayne Convention Center, Fort Wayne, IN