First Lady gets Fashion Raves
by Crystal Sewer
American First Ladies have long inspired a conversation frenzy among the country’s fashion designers and gurus. From Mary Todd Lincoln to Jacqueline Kennedy, First Lady fashions have been scrutinized and analyzed to no end. The current First Lady, Michelle Obama, is no exception. Every time she and her husband step out of the White House, people are watching what she wears.
Over the years, First Ladies have been praised for good fashion sense, such as Kennedy in her pink Chanel suit, and criticized: Hilary Clinton in a pant suit. But for the most part, fashion experts have given Michelle Obama good marks.
They say she brings a bold freshness and newness to the image of what a First lady should look like, exuding power and strength through her bold moves by showing her muscular, bare arms during presidential campaigns to the colorful and audacious prints she wears that rebel against the laws of fashion.
Obama’s fashion sense is the subject of a new book. Kate Betts, who is known for her former prestigious positions as editor in chief of Harper’s Bazaar and the fashion news director of Vogue, is out with a book about Michelle Obama’s style; Everyday Icon: Michelle Obama and the Power of Style.
It was also the subject of a recent panel discussion at the New York Public Library. The participants included Betts, Patricia Mears, deputy director of The Museum at Fashion Institute of Technology, and designers Rachel Roy, Peter Soronen, and Sophie Theallet, who have had their designs worn by Michelle Obama. During the discussion the panelists talked about the many controversies that women in the White House have had to face such as Mary Todd Lincoln dealing with controversies about exposing her arms and neck. The discussion concluded that First Lady history is always an important factor when it comes to the subject of controversies with women in apparel.
“As we talk about fashion being frivolous there is an underline component, it reflects the society of the times it reflects every aspect as being a hostess and being the female counterpart to her husband’s political vision,” said Mears. “To erase this as unimportant, it erases the important element.” The panelists said that Obama is in fact the everyday icon that women from all nationalities and races aspire to be. Women view Obama as that prototype 21st century woman. She’s a wife, a mother, and a First Lady. They said that women today are more independent and can juggle many hats and still look great doing it.
Anna Ottosson, 28, a Swedish native visiting New York, said, “She shows independence and power. Many women want to be that and because of the stigma that has been placed on women that you have to be subject to a man, I think that Michelle shows that you can be independent, have your own and still be a wife and a mother.”
Writers who blog about fashion also have shown an interest in Obama’s fashion choices.
Kishana Holland, 33, who is an Editor of Tres Chic Style and freelances for different publications such as New York Magazine, Marie Claire and Essence, said, “Politicians are looked to as rock stars and it’s an extension of “celebrity” so just as we look to our favorite celebrities, we also look to our favorites political figures to make that statement—to appear on the red carpet flawless– to appear on the inaugural ball in six different changes and it’s just something we gravitated to and we expect it.”
Obama has worn many American designers such as Michael Kors, Alexander McQueen, Tracey Reese, and Narciso Rodriguez. Rachel Roy who was one of the panelists at Kate Betts’ book discussion is a designer who Obama has turned to for fashion decisions. Roy currently has her less expensive line called RACHEL RACHEL at Macy’s department store where Emily Mangiolino 26, is a business manager and works for the Jones Groups as a vendor for Roy’s collection.
[kml_flashembed movie="http://crystalouise.webng.com/MichelleObama/michelle/publish_to_web/soundslider.swf" width="800" height="600" wmode="transparent" /]Although Michelle Obama wears Roy’s more high-end collection called Rachel Roy Signature, she is ultimately drawn to Roy’s designs because of risky colors and the sophistication of her designs. “When I see Michelle Obama she always in color. I think the reason why Michelle is attracted to Rachel Roy’s designs is because she too a working mom and she pay’s attention to a women’s body and knows what’s flattering,” Mangiolino said. “Rachel loves to mix patterns and take risks and challenges—that’s what people says when they shop here. It’s something different and I think that’s why Michelle wears her designs. It’s out of the box.”
Some fashion observers say that Jacqueline Kennedy and Michelle Obama’s youth has played a role in their interest in fashion. Jackie Kennedy was 31 years old when she became First Lady in 1961. Michelle Obama was 44 years old when she became First Lady in 2008. Both of these women have displayed grace and elegance through their style. Like Kennedy, Obama came to the White House with a strong sense of her own fashion style, some observers said.
Although many have said Michelle Obama has her own style she has always had a sense for style before she became First Lady. “I think Michelle didn’t need to change her style too much when she entered the White House. As a relatively young First Lady she knows how to dress herself to not look like a Hillary Clinton or Nancy Reagan,” said Dominika Dabrowska, 24, a fashion and cosmetics blogger. “Honestly, I feel like I can relate to her more.”