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Mrs-O.com is a blog dedicated to chronicling the fashion and style of First Lady Michelle Obama. Founded September 2008. 

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Saturday
Nov082008

The Designers Speak

Oscar de la Renta

Photo credit: Flickr user coutorture // Creative Commons

We were just catching up on a bit of weekend reading, and have come across what is hands down the best Mrs. O style read yet. "Next White House: Relaxed, Low-Key" from the November 6 print edition of WWDThursday interviews a handful of the biggest names in fashion for their thoughts on Mrs. O's style and what influence she'll have as First Lady. We haven't been able to find the full article online, but will share a few of the choice quotes below.

Maria Pinto: "[The Obamas] are modern. It's a refreshing, youthful, modern point of view that we've been desperate for." Pinto described Mrs. O's style as "very approachable. That's what people love about Michelle - she's comfortable in her own skin. She can go from J. Crew to designer."

Oscar de la Renta said this is the moment for "an American woman to mark her time." "Hopefully she will do that," he said. "It's not only about the way she dresses, but also the way she will conduct her life. She has an extraordinary opportunity to be an icon to a lot of different people. The eyes of the world will be on her. She will have a big impact."   

Donna Karan: "She is powerful, elegant and sophisticated. You see the woman first, she is not overpowered by the clothes. We expect a role model. She is a mother, a wife. She has all the attributes that matter."

Diane von Furstenberg said the future First Lady is "smart, engaged, beautiful and confident." "Her style is who she is ... and people will discover it little by little. Fashion is a reflection of our time and this is truly an exciting time."

Jenna Lyons Mazeau, creative director at J. Crew: "I love that she wears color and I love that she wears dresses. She looks feminine and dresses beautifully, but never overtly sexy. This is such an amazing time and they are such an inspiring couple that it would be a great honor [to dress Mrs. O for the inauguration], not just because she has great style, but also because she is probably one of the most important and inspiring women of our time. This is not just about getting our clothes on somebody, it's really about being a part of history. It's exciting to have somebody [in the White House] who seems to really care about clothes. She has a real personality and it comes through in the way she dresses."

And contrary to what InStyle magazine's Karina Szish suggested in the CNN segment on Mrs. O's style [see post below], Mrs. O may be an Oscar de la Renta kind of gal after all. The WWDThursday article also reports that "Obama has bought some of de la Renta's clothes at the Chicago boutique Ikram and he hopes to dress her during her White House days." Certainly though, Szish is right in suggesting that we'll see less of an Oscar de la Renta uniform than we have in the past. Speaking of which, we'd love to see a little DVF in the Mrs. O wardrobe mix.

Reader Comments (20)

She is definitely NOT Butt Ugly and I personally think she has an opinion about what she likes and takes the chance and wears it -- I liked her red and black dress. She does not have to be dress to the 9th degree to look attractive because she is a beautiful woman in her own right. Go Michelle!

Saturday, November 8, 2008 at 10:25 PM | Unregistered CommenterElizabeth Allen

Well, I just deleted 7 comments. It was clear that they were from one person using fake email addresses to make personal attacks on Mrs. O. Life is too short and she is too lovely. I honestly welcome difference of opinion about Mrs. O's style, but there's no need to be ugly about it. Thank you!

Saturday, November 8, 2008 at 10:52 PM | Unregistered CommenterMrs. T

Elizabeth - I couldn't agree with you more. I thought Donna Karan's comment was spot on. Mrs. O wears the clothes, they don't wear her. She's a woman of substance and that certainly shines through in her style.

Saturday, November 8, 2008 at 10:54 PM | Unregistered CommenterMrs. T

Mrs. O is beautiful and has a lot of class. She looks great in everything she has chosen. I especially think she looks great in colors, I would love to see her in fuchsia.

Saturday, November 8, 2008 at 11:36 PM | Unregistered CommenterYour Name Shirley P.

Oh dear, you seem to have acquired a troll infestation. Wonder where they dropped in from. Never mind, just keep posting these great blog posts about Michelle Obama's style and don't let the haters get to you.

Saturday, November 8, 2008 at 11:54 PM | Unregistered CommenterAnu

First lady Michelle Obama is strong, vibrant, lovely to look at, will become iconic and as he said, the love of her husband's life. That said and not to state the obvious, she will have state dinners-foreign and national, luncheons, PTA meetings etc...also,we are just talking clothes here. I love the way Ali Larter and Kate Bosworth dress.

Sunday, November 9, 2008 at 5:59 AM | Unregistered Commenterisabelle

Michelle Obama is REAL (and feminine!!). She carries herself like a woman who knows that her man is somewhere thinking about her. There is no substitution for that glow; makes your skin look lovely, you walk taller...your clothes fit beautiful! We will finally have a real role model in the white house who wears real clothes; every day people can be like her!

Sunday, November 9, 2008 at 7:25 AM | Unregistered CommenterShauna

I really love Diane Von Furstenburg.

Sunday, November 9, 2008 at 8:08 AM | Unregistered CommenterNatalie

I feel so proud that Michelle Obama will be our First Lady. She's beautiful, brilliant, and has her own unique style. I can't wait to see her shine on the world stage!

Sunday, November 9, 2008 at 11:07 AM | Unregistered CommenterMary Ann

Michelle Obama style: front page of the LA Times!!!
http://www.latimes.com/features/lifestyle/la-ig-obama9-2008nov09,0,668167.story

Sunday, November 9, 2008 at 5:12 PM | Unregistered CommenterAde

dvf would look fab on her. not many people can pull it off but i think she has the perfect proportions.

Sunday, November 9, 2008 at 10:39 PM | Unregistered Commenterkaitlin

The above L.A.Times picture? now THAT is a lovely dress and it suits her to a t.everything is spot on-colour and style(love the necklace(s).The wrap DVF dress style would also be lovely.

Monday, November 10, 2008 at 1:37 AM | Unregistered Commenterisabelle

She has the perfect figure to pull off some classic DVF dresses. I'm so looking forward to her wearing some younger designers. I could totally see her wearing a Zach Posen (sp?) gown

Monday, November 10, 2008 at 11:07 AM | Unregistered Commenterhbbean

I applaude Mrs. Obama for choosing clothing that she likes and looks really good on her rather than just picking top designers. It really goes to show that you don't have to spend a fortune to look great. But, in my opinion the "Election Night" dress was not the best choice. To me it just didn't show off her great figure. The dress didn't even compliment the original model wearing this dress. The dress is pretty and I just love the red design, until the belt, sash or whatever it's called was put into play. It just emphasizes the wrong area and plays down the best assets. I look forward to enjoying more of her growing wardrobe.

Monday, November 10, 2008 at 11:08 AM | Unregistered CommenterKisha

Hello, I just now found this web site in articale I was reading about Michelle, (Mrs.O rather) I like that, on Yahoo! news about her syle. The web site was in the content of the article, glad I clicked on it. NE way, first of all I'm going to email the site to my best friend Betty, her sister and Betty just love Michelle. I have a question.... who is Mrs T. Hope to hear from you Mrs. T. Take Care Donna

Monday, November 10, 2008 at 11:56 AM | Unregistered CommenterDonna-dmch

I find the reference to Jackie O a little insulting. Jackie O had a highly dignified and understated persona, Michelle tends to be to outspoken. I find her wearing off the rack clothing un-becoming to the position of First Lady. Personally her dress last Tuesday was a disaster. I hope she thinks strongly in the future on her style, as she will be representing our country to those overseas. Class and Dignity is what our First Lady stands for not Tawdry and Cheep. I hope she choose wisely for the Inaugural Ball.

Monday, November 10, 2008 at 12:21 PM | Unregistered CommenterLeisa

All these names are typical "classic" American. I would really love to see her take some more daring choices (rather than the expected "safe" choices like DvF, Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, etc.). American designers aren't just the jaded Americana that most people around the world tend to roll their eyes at. She's made some unexpected choices so far with Thakoon and Pinto. I really hope she pushes the envelope with other designers like Phillip Lim (sweet, feminine daywear that's perfect for the playground or a meeting), Peter Som (luxe fabrics and simple silhouettes), and Richard Chai (sporty but flirty).

Monday, November 10, 2008 at 4:30 PM | Unregistered Commentermiss a.

Okay this is officially my new favorite blog! Pls keep it up love the posts!

Monday, November 10, 2008 at 11:43 PM | Unregistered CommenterBJ Biggsby

YES me too!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 1:59 PM | Unregistered CommenterDonna-dmch

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