Style to Suit the Times

Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Tonight President Mr. O will address a joint session of Congress in what will no doubt entail painting a very serious, sober picture of our country's economic state. It's often difficult to reconcile the unprecedented crisis we're living through with the vast source of inspiration and optimism that President Mr. O and First Lady Mrs. O bring. More than ever, though, we're grateful for the latter - Mrs. O's style included of course.

We imagine the First Lady's dresscode this evening will go one of two routes - modest and understated, with respect for the times (the blue Narciso Rodriguez suit worn for the Lily Ledbetter reception comes to mind), or perhaps less expected, a bolder projection of optimism (with similar effect to the lemongrass Isabel Toledo ensemble worn for the Inauguration). In just an hour or so, we'll know the answer.

While the focus tonight isn't on Mrs. O's fashion, the First Lady's style is part of this living, evolving history, and the broader narrative shaped by these times. And as bleak as things may sometimes seem, we can always look forward to celebrating Mrs. O and her fabulously chic, modern style. As several have mentioned in the post before, Mrs. O will be joined tonight by at least three special guests. Details are posted at Whitehouse.gov.

Update: Mrs. O is wearing a plum silk and wool sleeveless dress, which we're almost certain is Narciso Rodriguez. The dress first debuted during the Inauguration, paired with the long lavender Narciso Rodriguez coat worn again tonight. The dress - with a feminine, modern cut, in a flattering color that was neither solemn nor inappropriately attention grabbing - achieved a tasteful balance.

And contrary to our earlier prediction, the dress didn't seem to make a direct comment on the economy. Rather, in a regal plum, showcasing the First Lady's enviably toned arms, it was a statement of classic Mrs. O style. Additional images here and here.

Thakoon, Narciso and Maria C.

While we wait for Mrs. O to venture out in Washington this week, we thought we'd bide time by highlighting a few more Fall 2009 collections from the First Lady's favorite designers.

#1 Thakoon Thakoon Panichgul was the first young Mrs. O designer to win our sartorial heart. Throughout 2008, Mrs. O wore a number of pieces by the designer: notably, the floral frocks for the final night of the DNC and the first Presidential Debate, plus a mix of cardigans, blouses and jackets for less broadcast moments.   So what did the designer have in store for Fall 2009? Thakoon brought his usual femme aesthetic, this season delivered with a bit of disco ball edge. The built-in black bow on the emerald green silk dress (Look 23) and the short, ruffled, raspberry number (Look 33) were instant favorites. The aforementioned disco ball influence came in the form of an exciting and sparkly jacket and dress (Looks 31 and 32).

#2 Narciso Rodriguez Within seeing the first several looks of Narciso Rodriguez's Fall 2009 collection - filled with familiar, khaki colored, divinely tailored wool coats - the link to Mrs. O's ensemble from the We Are One concert was immediately evident. (Though the cut of Mrs. O's coat most closely mirrored that of the yellow wool jacket in Look 11).  While we struggle to imagine Mrs. O in haute camouflage, styles such as the lavender halter dress (Look 22), could be easily modified to suit the First Lady. We were also fond of the metallic leather coat with an exposed zip and epaulettes topping its square shoulders.

#3 Zero + Maria Cornejo We are loving all things Zero + Maria Cornejo lately. (New Yorkers take note: After a decade on Mott Street, Maria Cornejo has moved uptown, albeit just a few blocks, to a new space on Bleecker St. between Lafayette and Bowery). While very unlikely to turn up in Mrs. O's closet, we were instantly charmed by the digital cat prints that ran throughout several looks in the collection from Zero + Maria Cornejo. We were even more delighted to learn that said cat is in fact the designer's own, Grey.  From Style.com:

Fittingly, Fall was designed for a "strong but positive" woman, Cornejo said. The feel-good inspirations behind the collection (her cat, Grace Jones, and drives upstate) may have sounded like a bit of an odd mix, but there was nothing discordant about the image that hit the runway: a lean and elegant urban warrior look, not a defiant one, but a sophisticated and pragmatic tough cookie who needs the protection of a sleek, luxe cocoon.

We've leave you with a nice little behind-the-scenes video from New York Magazine, filmed with Thakoon Panichgul in December. The designer comments on dressing First Lady Mrs. O and gives us a sneak peek at his new annex line, Thakoon Addition.

Mrs. O to Grace Cover of Vogue

Portrait by Annie Leibovitz / Vogue

So widely rumored that one had to assume it was true, The Washington Post has confirmed that First Lady Mrs. O will grace the March cover of Vogue. Revealing details about Mrs. O's self-chosen wardrobe for the shoot - a magenta dress by Jason Wu for the cover and a black dress by Narciso Rodriguez for an interior photo - the Washington Post article also shares perfectly expressed sentiments from Anna Wintour that will be included in the issue:

"Change was the clarion call of Barack Obama's election campaign," writes Vogue's editor Anna Wintour, "though I don't think any of us at Vogue initially realized that would include the difference that was going to be made by First Lady Michelle Obama's wardrobe."

"It wasn't just that her choices projected a simpler, streamlined, more modern attitude, rejecting the ridiculous idea that the only way for a First Lady to dress is in the dreaded White House standard-issue uniform -- the boxy, anonymous suit that always managed to look as appealing, and as comfortable, as armor. Instead, we have a woman who is happy in newer, less obvious designer choices like Wu and Toledo....It's inspiring to see our First Lady so serene and secure in her personal style."

Further coverage from the AP provides insight into Mrs. O's feelings about the "controversial" Narciso Rodriguez election night dress:

"Mrs. Obama said she is aware of how her wardrobe is being scrutinized, but she makes no apologies for her choices — even the Election Night combination of ripped-from-the-runway, fashion-forward dress and plain-Jane cardigan."

"I'm not going to pretend that I don't care about it," [Mrs. O] said. "But I also have to be very practical. In the end, someone will always not like what you wear — people just have different tastes."

We've also heard that in addition to dresses from Jason Wu and Narciso Rodriguez, Mrs. O will wear a head-to-toe J.Crew ensemble featured in a two-page spread in the issue. We love that no matter what the venue, Mrs. O stays true to her personal style and favorite designers.  Will this be the best selling Vogue ever? We'll certainly be buying in multiples!

Update: MSNBC has revealed the Vogue cover here (though, based on other reports, we don't think we were supposed to see). We also hear that Andre Leon Talley will appear on the Today Show tomorrow morning to give us a first glimpse of the issue, so either way, we'll get the full scoop then. Stay tuned!

Update: Style.com now has an abridged version of the feature article, "Leading Lady", posted, here. Click on the slideshow to see additional photgraphs of Mrs. O from the issue. A video clip of Andre Leon Talley's interview on CNN today can be seen here. He says the Vogue staff, in partnership with photographer Annie Leibovitz, "wanted the cover to evoke the real Michelle Obama ... to show her warmth from within."

National Prayer Breakfast (Updated)

On Thursday, First Lady Mrs. O attended the annual National Prayer Breakfast, where President Mr. O introduced the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Listening intently, Mrs. O looked polished, poised, and well, very First Lady-like. Wearing a v-neck royal blue dress with clean lines, a black band at the waist and seams through the skirt, the design seemed to reflect several trademarks of Narciso Rodriguez. However, we haven't been able to confirm the designer. It could be a Narciso Rodriguez design from several seasons past, tucked away in Mrs. O's closet and revisited for this occasion. Or perhaps it's of another origin all together, thereby officially earning "mystery dress" status. Any light that can be shed would be greatly appreciated.

In the realm of polished touches, Mrs. O's coiffed hair and bolder makeup add a definite finish to the look. Also note the single strand of more traditional pearls that Mrs. O wore here and throughout the week. Additional images of First Lady Mrs. O at the National Prayer Breakfast here and here.

Update: We're told that Mrs. O's dress is in fact Proenza Schouler - a label we've not heard associated with the First Lady's wardrobe before. Certainly though, the design duo of Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough will make for an exciting new addition to Mrs. O's style repetoire. Upon hearing this news, we immediately thought back to a quote from the New York Observer. As an Observer reporter chatted with Narciso Rodriguez about Mrs. O's election night dress in November, "...the young designers of Proenza Schouler approached Mr. Rodriguez. 'Did you see Michelle Obama in his dress?' cried Lazaro Hernandez. 'Really major!'" And now it seems, the same should be said of Proenza Schouler. Brilliant!

Mrs. O Suits Up

Mrs. O certainly has been busy this week. Our First Lady paid the Department of Housing and Urban Development a visit this afternoon, wearing a two piece grey skirt suit with a purple silk wrap blouse underneath. As RJT and Kay have observed in the comments, the juxtaposition of fabrics - a matte wool jacket against a shiny silk blouse - add depth and interest to the look. If the theme of the week has been dressing for the occasion, Mrs. O today seemed to embrace more formal business attire (accessorized with pearls) when speaking to a group that knows the troubles of U.S. housing all too well. According to the Washington Post, Mrs. O shared these thoughts with her audience:

“The Department of Housing and Urban Development is going to play a critical role in implementing elements of the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Plan that will help our communities,” she said.

“Barack and I always believed that investing in the community that you live in first and foremost is critical. And for the people here at this agency, we are now your neighbors,” she said to cheers.

The last comment, in particular, could not ring more true. Post-inauguration, we've been simply amazed (and delighted) by what have now become daily appearances by Mrs. O out and about in Washington D.C. And as far as we're concerned, the more, the merrier. Additional photos here, here and here. Update: We've confirmed that Mrs. O's ensemble yesterday, a pale charoal wool skirt suit with purple silk charmeuse top, was again the work of Narciso Rodriguez.