Heavy Buzz Surrounds Michelle O's Inauguration Attire

With the inauguration a few weeks away, the race is on to predict what fashion persona Michelle Obama will display. Perhaps it might help the retail economy. Think of the thousands of knock-offs that ABS and Penney's can generate.
I thought the design sketches for Mrs Obama's inauguration collection were delightful. I love the concepts by Monique Lhuillier, Carolina Herrera, Marc Jacobs, Oscar De La Renta, and Isaac Mizrahi. Everyone made appropriate uses of color that the First Lady-elect can handle.

Betsey Johnson's is a hoot! She deserves praise for the effort and symbolic details. I almost saw poetry dancing off the page.

Check out how Christian Lacroix went as far as to even sketch a model resembling his muse. He outdid himself with the most sketches-hopefully he will be commissioned to create at least one. Some of it screams untouchable and ice queen, something I think the first lady is trying not to project.

Peter Som and Tracy Reece's were cleanly elegant and Elie Tahari went cosmopolitan; their choices would work well. Rodarte's looks artistic and somber. Rachel Roy's strapless sheath with chandelier earrings is a hit! Tuleh's form-fitting concept gown is a bit too sexy as is Reem Accra's ornamented red gown with the square neckline. Nicole Miller's is a bit of a bore.

Kai Milla's is cute but some are weary of seeing the first-lady-to-be with the black-belted look. Diane von Furstenberg's is simply divine- true Micke O! The chic jacket would work well with Michelle O's proportions and stature, the striped yellow pattern is a sunny classic and the brooch is already down her alley.

In the end, I predict Mrs. Obama will ensure that the American designers are well respresented. We'll just have to wait and see.

For a slideshow featuring the imaginary creations of our esteemed designers for Michelle, Malia, and Sasha Obama, please visit
http://www.wwd.com/fashion-news/dressing-the-first-lady-1875632#/slideshow/article/1875632/1876331

Or you can check out the story below.


http://www.wwd.com/fashion-news/dressing-the-first-lady-1875632#/

Michelle Obama: What Should She Wear?
by Bridget Foley and Bobbi Queen

From WWD Issue 12/03/2008

Who says these are bleak times? On one matter at least, designers are positively euphoric. That is the Obama presidency, a two-part point of light. While much of the glee centers around the President-elect and his policies, Michelle Obama radiates a powerful style all her own. So step aside, Angelina. You too, Madonna, not to mention the bevy of pop tarts, gossip girls, “High School Musical” grads and even potential Oscar divas, now all suddenly second-tier. The American fashion industry hasn’t had a catch this big since, well, since another icon of Democratic chic took up residency on Pennsylvania Avenue in 1961.

For the big guns at least, dressing Michelle may prove even more of a challenge, since her chic is more lowercase democratic than was Jackie’s. Throughout the campaign, the first lady-to-be has avoided all major names save Narciso Rodriguez, while showing a proclivity for locals (Chicago’s Maria Pinto), young types (Thakoon; Jason Wu) and cost-conscious labels (Donna Ricco; J. Crew).

Nevertheless, just about everyone yearns to dress Michelle, who could raise the profile of American fashion around the world. Yet with the exception of Maria Cornejo, her current favorites, as well as a few majors, declined WWD’s request for sketches. Some are loath to presume to offer unsolicited advice, while others, it seems, are definitely in the Inaugural sweepstakes and prefer, or have been asked, to keep their participation low-pro.

But plenty more happily offered their visions for Michelle and her charming first daughters, for the big day and evening events of Jan. 20.

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