Tuesday
Jan272009
The World's First Lady of Style
Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at 12:13 PM 
Image via Flickr user cliff1066 / Creative Commons
Last week we saw a subtle, yet palpable change in the tone of how the world's press reported Mrs. O's style. Aside from the sheer, unstoppable volume of coverage garnered by the inauguration and her place within it, the consistent theme was one of decisive admiration: if ever there had been any debate about who was going to be the First Lady of Style on a global stage, that debate was now over. Perhaps particularly interesting to see AFP, the largest news agency in France, home to Carla Bruni, headlining their piece in this way.
Inevitably there were the articles that examined Mrs. O's appearance in 'get the look' micro detail and a multitude that limited themselves to describing her outfits and the delighted reactions of the designers responsible, both of whom had become worldwide household names overnight.
Yet what we found particularly extraordinary to see were the less transient themes that emerged from the European coverage last week. In short, a whole-hearted, emotional adoption of Mrs. O which transcends that even of an international style icon and role model. In her article Why Michelle is our belle, Hannah Betts at London's The Daily Telegraph talks of a 'communal crush that spans the Atlantic... Michelle is unique in being sufficiently imposing to be inspirational, whilst not being so far removed from the great mass of womankind as to prove alienating. It's a fine line, this heroine business, and she treads it most deftly."
Another theme that took root across Europe's press over the weekend was of how her inauguration attire aimed to "silently signal the kind of First Lady she intends to be". As Lisa Armstrong wrote in The Times (London): "On this evidence, Mrs. O is going to be one forward-going First Lady....with one dress Michelle Obama had to reveal her personality and strike a blow for American style. No problem." There was little criticism of the one-shouldered, winter white Jason Wu dress, rather a celebration of its chic, feminine modernity. Other writers referred to her "high-powered personality" and "soft power" as they spoke of the renaissance she represents in every respect, from her championing of American design to her intelligent grasp of the live issues facing modern women and the communities they live in.
As Tim Shipman, another writer at the Daily Telegraph, states: Mrs. O's outfits at the inauguration "cemented her status as the greater fashion icon in the White House since Jackie Kennedy...but there is more to Michelle Obama than that - much, much more....not merely an informal adviser but the power behind the President and on some issues even a leader."
We will leave the last word here again to Hannah Betts at The Telegraph, who put it perfectly: "Can one woman bear this weight of expectation? I think we know the answer."
tagged Isabel Toledo, Jason Wu, Michelle Obama in Media
Isabel Toledo, Jason Wu, Michelle Obama in Media
Reader Comments (21)
I for one think Mrs. O can live up to these expectations. I see her as having the style and class of Jackie O while having the strength and political sway of Hilary during her stint as First Lady. You can tell she is passionate about many issues and will not back down on them, Im sure she will have an active roll in the Obama administration.
Perhaps what I like most of all is the fact that you can tell Barak greatly admires and respects his wife, on many occasions he has claimed that she is the most intelligent person he knows and that she has been his inspiration. So you know that she will have input on many issues over the coming years and that he will respect them and greatly take them into consideration before making any plans. Like the saying goes, behind every great man is a great woman...and in this case it is very true (and she has great fashion sense...double score!)
Mrs O's transcendent appeal is based on that rarest of combinations: sincere chic and emotional accessibility.
She inspires through her actions and yet elicits awe through her confident, intellectual,playful and forward thinking fashion aesthetic.
She is a fabulous mixture of the all American woman and the fashion sublime.
I for one, have never seen a Frist Lady w/ these attributes and appeal in my lifetime.
What an exciting moment we fortunate enough to be witnessing.
Mrs. E, I just had to commend you on a wonderfully written piece. Thank you!
Thank you guys for this site; I am truly in awe. My sister lives in England and I can tell you that they are more excited about the The White House than 10 Downing Street. I truly believe that First Lady Michelle will be an inspiration to our young ladies many of whom have "sold out". Hopefully, marriage and family will be back!
I <3 this blog! Mrs. O is so amazing in her dress of taste with so much class, style, and originality. Such a humble, practical, strong woman she is! Her inauguration in the lemongrass number with the detailed brooch is so spectacular and a sight for sore eyes. And her balle gown designed by Mr. Wu is super sensational with ultra-femme and confidence. I loooooove being dazzled by Mrs. O's choices. It's a wonder why I am such a fan. ;)
Thank you for this piece!
And thank you for that GREAT picture. Talk about a dress that really looks regal...
You know, the night of the inauguration ball, even though I actually think most people liked the Jason Wu dress, several posters on this site were disappointed that she didn't wear the slinky, jewel-toned dress we had all expected. But every time I see a new picture of Michelle looking so divine in this dress, I am reminded of why I felt so strongly at the time that she would be vindicated for wearing it, and for choosing a dress that was so romantic, unusual and youthful. I just don't think that a dress like the one that Jill Biden wore (even though Jill looked gorgeus) has this kind of staying power and forward-thinking spirit. Nor was Jill's the kind of dress that makes me find a new level of appreciation every time I get to see it, even several days later.
So, above all, bravo to Mrs. O for never once taking the easy way. No Oscar de La Renta! No obvious pant-suit! And never the boring First Lady uniform. That's why I love her and so much look forward to the next 4-8 years!
Can I just ask what's wrong with Oscar de la Renta??? I happen to think many of his dresses are gorgeous, and I wouldn't mind seeing Michelle in any of them! Also, I Google'd "first lady uniform" and didn't find anything.
Just because other first ladies have expressed their own style doesn't make them unattractive! Just as Michelle expressing her style is not unattractive.
Please, let's stop bashing wonderful women just because we do (or don't) like what they wear. That would be a disservice to all of us!
Elena, your musings about the Wu gown are so right-on !
Thanks for the great post.
You raised some perfectly explained points regarding the dress that I hadn't considered and that are completely correct.
Bravo.
Kim, I have never bashed anyone, including any other first lady. Nor did I say anyone was unattractive! So you seem to be reading all sorts of odd things into my comment.
The point I was making is that American first ladies have tended to wear a certain, very safe look. I would be very surprised if anyone disagreed with me on this. And they ALL wore Oscar de la Renta.
It's not that Oscar's clothes are ugly. It's that they are mechanic, stale, and static. Michelle has a very classic style so I have NO problem with classic. But she is also modern and inventive with her clothes. I do not believe that was the case for any First Lady in recent memory. I am not bashing anyone by saying that.
i can not stop looking at mrs. o's dress! it is so gorgeous, unique, classy and sophisticated. thanks for keeping us updated.
I think one thing Mrs. O symbolizes is the American Dream. If you work hard enough (under normal circumstances when corporate fraudsters aren't everywhere) study, hard, listen to your parents. Then you can follow your dreams. No only can you meat your prince (or princess), but in a modern twist, you can help out your love and help him/her reach their full potential.
Oh and she also symbolizes that SMART is ATTRACTIVE.
Compliments on a beautifully written article, Mrs. E, and so appreciated perspective of European press. Thank you.
This has to be the most gorgeous pic of this dress that I've seen so far.. thankyou! Completed by the expression on Mr O's face and the way he's holding her, showing that he is just as enchanted by her as we are.
Mrs. E, this is a beautiful, thoughtful and wonderfully written piece. Thank you!
Elena and RJT, you've both outdone yourselves with eloquent, insightful comments. Honestly, the words and sentiments are perfect.
What a breath of fresh air at the end of a long day!
Another wonderful shot of the lovely/loving couple. I melt when I see them and the love they obviously share for one another.
Kristan
http://jbu.phuzzymath.net/
This woman has such a tall order to fill. I can't think of any other first lady (US or otherwise) to have international attention like this. I'm both excited and nervous about it all. I've never been "star-strucked", I swear a blog dedicated to just about anyone else wouldn't interest me in the least.
Oh, and thx so much for my new desktop pic!
Elena, the Oscar gowns for prior First Ladies were all custom, just as the Wu gown was for Mrs. O. I dare say that it's not Oscar whose clothes are boring, stiff, safe and stale but the style of the women who chose them and wore them. Some celebrities are wearing Oscar for awards season and those gowns are decidedly not boring or safe.
The best thing about Mrs. O is that while the world has opinions of her and her personal style, she hears them but graciously does exactly what she feels appropriate for her. It's a remarkable quality.
I just got back from a trunk showing at Nordstrom that featured Mr. Wu's designs. Some really feminine and interesting pieces, In the collection I liked his emerald green silk chiffon dress with a scalloped bodice and skirt. Also his cream linen sheath with black embroidery.
the wu dress was more a mechanical mess than a disappointment from a presentation aspect. the poor woman kicked and pulled at the dress all night. she was not able to navigate the excessive volume of fabric properly. when added to the fact that the aesthetic was weak and the color was less than hoped for, it simply was not the glowing success it should have been. the dress will improve with time and will show well on a mannequin throughout time...
Mrs. E.,
I, too, can't thank you enough for the wonderfully delicious blog and especially this post. I've been waiting to find out more about her ring-LOVED IT- and now I know. Keep up the great work.