Oscar de la Renta is angry about Michelle Obama’s fashion choices

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While President Obama seemed to simply meet expectations during last week’s European tour, the First Lady wowed nearly everyone. Even the Republicans on the Sunday talk shows were paying some lip service to Mrs. Obama’s grace (I’m not kidding). But it wasn’t all sunshine and soft diplomacy for Michelle – some major fashion designers are mad at her.

Take Oscar de la Renta – he designs beautiful clothes, with an emphasis on ball gowns and fluttery, feminine, intricate work. Oscar has been a favorite of First Ladies since Nancy Reagan. She, Barbara Bush, Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush have all worn his clothes to important First Lady events. One of my favorite outfits of Laura Bush’s entire tenure as First Lady was the beautiful Oscar de la Renta cream/white dress and coat she wore to the second inaugural. Oscar is known as a true gentleman of the fashion industry, but he’s still going to take the new First Lady to task. He told Women’s Wear Daily (story via The Huffington Post) that Michelle should be wearing more clothes from established fashion houses rather than just up-and-coming designers and mass-market clothing from J.Crew. Oscar also added this bitchy aside: “You don’t…go to Buckingham Palace in a sweater.” But the Queen didn’t mind!

While Michelle Obama has made lesser known designers like Jason Wu, Thakoon, and Isabel Toledo household names by wearing their labels repeatedly–the first lady has worn Jason Wu at least three times during the European trip –WWD asks where the love has gone for big name designers like Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, and Ralph Lauren. Women’s Wear Daily’s Bridget Foley writes that it would be a great boost to a fashion industry in economic crisis.

And it sounds like some designers are getting downright cranky.

“American fashion right now is struggling,” says Oscar de la Renta. “I think I understand what [Obama and her advisers] are doing, but I don’t think that is the right message at this particular point….I don’t object to the fact that Mrs. Obama is wearing J. Crew to whatever because the diversity of America is what makes this country great. But there are a lot of great designers out there. I think it’s wrong to go in one direction only.”

He also took a jab at the outfit Michelle Obama wore to meet Queen Elizabeth: “‘You don’t…go to Buckingham Palace in a sweater.'”

Donna Karan took a more positive tone: “I hope and believe that this is just a moment,” says Karan. “And I hope to be able to dress her, and not only dress her but address her, sit down — I’m interested in her totality as a woman.”

And Vera Wang also weighed in: “I love seeing young designers and their vision and how they grow and all of that,” she says. “On the other hand, of course, I wish she would consider some of us, because I think we also have contributions to make.”

Do you think Michelle Obama should branch out and wear the bigger luxury labels?

From The Huffington Post (quotes via WWD)

Even though I could do without Oscar de la Renta’s snide remark about Michelle’s sweater, I see his point, as well as Vera Wang’s and Donna Karan’s. Given some time, I’m sure Michelle will intersperse her official wardrobe with major labels as well as clothes from newer designers and mass-market off-the-rack stuff. She’ll probably take her responsibility to all American designers (established and up-and-coming) very seriously. But I also think it’s part of her charm that she does the high-low fashion dance so well. Like a high-fashion Narciso Rodriguez dress with a casual mall cardigan, or a perfectly nice sweater that could be in every woman’s closet, under a high-fashion black satin dress coat and pearls to meet the Queen.

Header of Michelle with Barack Obama at 10 Downing Street for a meeting with PM Gordon Brown and wife Sarah Brown on Saturday. Here’s Michelle with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall later that same day. Images thanks to WENN .

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78 Responses to “Oscar de la Renta is angry about Michelle Obama’s fashion choices”

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  1. KateNonymous says:

    Sour grapes, anyone? Vera Wang said it best, I think; Donna Karan’s “totality as a woman” content sounds so pretentious–although I agree that her overall tone was nicer than de la Renta’s.

  2. Jean says:

    This is a dance she will have to master, and there will be people complaining no matter what she wears. I can hear the outrage if she wore nothing but high-end designer outfits. She would be called an elitist and out of touch. Its going to be difficult to keep everyone satisfied.
    Nonetheless, she is utterly charming in everything she wears. I think she always looks marvelous. It seems effortless.

  3. Lina says:

    So what if she’s wearing J.Crew and not Oscar de la Renta? Who cares if she wore a sweater to meet the queen?

    Isn’t Oscar de la Renta making enough money? Does he really need the First Lady to wear his clothing to get his name out there?

  4. Prissa says:

    I’m just curious, would these designers donate a wardrobe to Michelle? Would she be required to pay for it herself? I think that one of the goals of her look is for an everyday American to be able to identify with the 1st Lady. I can easly emulate her look by shopping at J Crew, if she wore Vera Wang or Oscar de la Renta, it wouldn’t be as easy.

  5. HEB says:

    Yeah Oscar is just pissed because he was the #1 First Lady Go-to guy for years

  6. cmoody says:

    I actually think she sets a good tone in not constantly wearing high end fashion. In this economy (even it the high fashion gowns are donated) it sets a good standard to have a First Lady who bargain hunts. I think if she draped herself in high end fashion while the rest of us are tightening our belts to deal with the economy it would send a really really bad message. It would be like say a company asking for and receiving a bailout only to turn around and give huge bonuses to the hire ups. It just gives the wrong impression about what is important.

  7. Leni says:

    I think she is very sensitive to the people-the majority of the people. I will never be able to wear Oscar de la Renta or Donna Karen or Vera Wang. They have made their money and their name. Move on. I like that Michelle dresses smartly but like a real person. Bravo.

  8. boomchakaboom says:

    I hope she uses established American fashion designers at some point. While there’s nothing wrong with J.Crew or whatever, is that really where any of us would select our wardrobe if we were going to Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen, and had our choice of any designers out there, and money was no object?

  9. Enonymous says:

    They are only complaining because they are bitter for missing out on free advertisement for their cloths by Michelle Obama not choosing to wear them.

    I like to see more up-and-coming new designers rather then the same old brands that dominated the fashion industry for years. I say let some new blood take center stage.

  10. Sauronsarmy says:

    Enonymous: They are only complaining because they are bitter for missing out on free advertisement for their cloths by Michelle Obama not choosing to wear them.

    Exactly.

  11. cmoody says:

    While there’s nothing wrong with J.Crew or whatever, is that really where any of us would select our wardrobe if we were going to Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen, and had our choice of any designers out there, and money was no object?

    I think this is the issue. Do we know that money is no object? Because if it isn’t it definitely should be. Unless the gowns are donated, its a very frivolous expense that really sends a bad impression about fiscal policy.

    I see nothing wrong with what she wore to meet the queen. If she had shown up in jeans and a t-shirt I would understand the outcry. But, she is dressed appropriately and in something that any of us regular folks could aspire to.

  12. flourpot says:

    Does it really matter if she wears name brands or not? And it was a really pretty sweater …

  13. CosVis says:

    Jealous much? I completely agree with Enonymous. Big name designers have dominated the fashion for eons and are already well established.

    I doubt that if the FLOTUS started wearing their clothes, everybody would rush out and spend money they don’t have on brand names and save the fashion industry who goes on to live happily ever after. The end. Get real.

  14. OXA says:

    Michelle is doing a wonderful job, I like that she picks clothes that dont cost a fortune and she can mix and match. She has great arms, is not afraid to show them and shops with common sense instead of squandering hundreds of thousand of dollars. She is comfortable in her own skin and that is why she is so loved.

  15. drm says:

    She looks fantastic…and notice it is only the designers for the very rich who are themselves VERY rich who are bagging the First Lady’s choices?

    Can you imagine the screaming (particularly from the ‘pubs) if she wore high end designer clothing? “Out of touch with economic conditions…insulting to the American people…”ect ect is some of the rhetoric that would be bandied around.

    For some people it won’t matter what she does, they will still criticise. As for me, a non-American, she can do NO wrong!!! 🙂

    I love the sparkly sweater and skirt combo she is really a lovely looking woman who dresses appropriately but with some pizzazz!

  16. Rosanna says:

    I think she looks much better in “cheaper” dresses because she isn’t used at wearing more “important” ones.

  17. Becky says:

    I doubt the First Lady would want to dress herself in high-end fashion when her husband is trying to save countless Americans from foreclosures and various other debts. Haute couture labels just don’t jive with the present day consumer attitude – live with what you’ve got. She’s doing a fine job in keeping consistent with the President’s preached message of responsibility by choosing reasonably-priced American labels and less-known designers.

  18. Pufft says:

    I’m for one am glad Michelle has made a conscious decision to wear up and coming designer labels as apposed to those who have already made their mark in the fashion industry. Those remarks, even for Oscar de la Renta, are below the belt.

    But that behaviour is to be expected form the big kahoonas. It doesn’t matter that A-list celebrities and past first ladies have warn their gowns in the past, they are never satisfied.

  19. anon says:

    it’s also a generational shift that’s got their silk panties in a twist. michelle giving a world spotlight to little known designers — as opposed to multinational conglomerates fronted by designers who’ve dominated the business for decades. boo effing hoo.

    i thought obama’s euro trip was awesome; she looked fantastic and i loooooved that wacked out argyle sweater. she made the country proud.

    oh yeah, and her husband’s not doing so bad himself…. 😉

  20. Anonymous says:

    Is this a joke?

  21. becca says:

    Pffft, I hate the fashion industry anyway. De la Renta is just fueling my hate.

    Michelle is an inspiration. ( I know, I sound like a fangirl, and I apologize.)

  22. Jessieanne says:

    the First Lady is beautiful, has wonderful taste and wears clothing that suits her. Oscar is a boring old fart that has dressed former first ladies to reflect his circle of clients which are older, wealthy, and live a certain lifestyle. Oscar, Donna Karan and Vera Wang need to recognize their clothing is boring and tired..time for a new era in White House fashion.

  23. SW says:

    I don’t give a rats ass – I hope she shows up in a Target or Wal-Mart outfit next just to piss these high-end labels off even more. F**k this Oscar dude, us normal folk can’t afford him, most of us don’t know who he is, haven’t even SEEN his clothing or whatever in a store because we can’t afford to step foot in those kind of places. MOST of us normal folk have to worry about other more IMPORTANT things…our children – how to clothe and feed them, keep a roof over their head. Help to make them feel secure and happy in today’s world. Our mortgage, our groceries, our utilities. Our livlihoods, our sanity in this crazy, f’ed economy.
    So, shortly put and like I said, F THIS OSCAR dude. And like some of you have already said, doesn’t he have enough money already?

  24. OXA says:

    He is a jealous old queen who has his knickers in a twist because he is not getting attention.

  25. Kait says:

    I personally think it shows even more grace on Michelle Obama’s part that she’s not wearing labels that 90% of America can’t afford. We’re in an economic meltdown – I’d rather my First Lady wear J Crew and not some ridiculously overpriced frock from a fashion house.

  26. Annie says:

    Clearly they’re just jealous she hasn’t chosen them.

    They feel like it’s a personal slight that they, being so great and amazing aren’t being chosen? That these little upstarts are being chosen over them? Oh God forbid someone NOT like something done by Oscar or Vera.

  27. raven says:

    I don’t think she looks fantastic, but she always looks appropriate. Her husband’s message is more important than pleasing high end fashion designers and she always dresses consistently with the message. Those designers just look silly with their whining.

    If they wanted to get her attention, they would quietly approach her about dressing her for a very formal state dinner. Maybe she’d say “no” but I can’t see her patronizing any of them now after all the whining.

  28. Ashley says:

    “American fashion right now is struggling,” give me a break…

  29. georgiagrl says:

    This is 2009, not 1989 and judging by these remarks, WE get it, and not these old school fashion houses. Like it or not, the business of fashion is changing and the urban market is giving the mainstream designers a run for their money, and JC has done a nice job of reinventing themselves in a totally fresh, affordable way. Keep doing what you’re doing Michelle. Time has past Mr. Oscar de la Renta by.

  30. hmm says:

    Well I think that she usually looks amazing and it is nice to see an image of a woman that is not emaciated and frozen.
    I cannot believe the arrogance of some of the designers and their sense of entitlement. And someone should let Oscar know that it is probably not a good idea to insult the First Lady in order to get her to wear your clothing.

  31. L says:

    Oh PLEASE. As long as she isn’t dressing like Paris Hilton, I think Ms Obama is capable of making her own fashion choices. I do not like the way everyone is trying to dictate what she should wear. Her body = her choice.

  32. K.L. says:

    While I think that some of the clothes these high end designers are beautiful, I feel that they’ve made their name and need to back off in their feeling of entitlement to dress the First Lady. Michelle Obama didn’t grow up in privilege and comes off as a down to earth, practical person..someone the average American can relate to, and her clothes reflect that. It’s refreshing, quite frankly. Also, I think it’s pretty crass in these times of economic collapse to expect a woman to spend a ridiculous amount of money on clothes First Lady or not.

    It’s not like you’re out of a job and on food stamps like 90% of the country (and yours truly), Oscar, so shut your snobby mouth.

  33. Granger says:

    Wow. Oscar needs to find some other interests in life, because his complete obsession with his own wallet is pretty sick. Can we please talk about how Michelle Obama is a Princeton and Harvard educated lawyer; or what a good mother she seems to be; or how she takes such good care of herself? Who the hell cares what she’s wearing????

  34. Allie says:

    She’s the first lady, not a fashion model. I’m tired of the fact that everyone in the public eye has to be all glamour and glitz. Politics and politicians shouldn’t be harassed for the clothing they wear, but the job they do. She always looks clean and put together, and to me that is all that matters.

  35. anastasiabeaverhausen says:

    I’ll tell you why he’s griping: J. Crew’s stock has shot through the roof because of her wearing their stuff.

    Sour, sour, sour, sour grapes!

  36. Ana says:

    I love her clothes. I love how I could probably find some of her clothes and be able to afford them.
    I like how she doesn’t wear expensive stuff that cost a whole years salary for someone like me. She shows you don’t have to spend a lot of money to be classy.

  37. Layla says:

    She wears the SAME THING over & over. Tacky cardigan after tacky cardigan. I mean, please.

  38. Cynthia says:

    Comments about hiding her bow legs and ovesized hips make me laugh out loud. You know, women really have not come that far when the focus still is on their clothing and appearance. I pray every night that she does not go on a diet (doesn’t need to BTW) or change her clothing choices. Is America ready for a women like Michelle Obama?

  39. yae says:

    She has amazing facial structure. Can someone teach her to RELAX her face? She’s tense and afraid of the camera. Part of her charm, but she needs a coach.

  40. Leandra says:

    The Obama’s are not rich and also, with the current economy, it sets a good example when Michelle isn’t decked out in expensive designer clothes. I assume she has to pay for her own clothes? The President doesn’t spend a lot of money on clothes either as he said, – “I buy five suits and keep patching them up.” It’s nice to see clothes not being such a high priority.

  41. Merri Lee says:

    #
    Prissa:
    April 6th, 2009 at 10:29 pm

    I’m just curious, would these designers donate a wardrobe to Michelle? Would she be required to pay for it herself? I think that one of the goals of her look is for an everyday American to be able to identify with the 1st Lady. I can easly emulate her look by shopping at J Crew, if she wore Vera Wang or Oscar de la Renta, it wouldn’t be as easy.

    The First Family buys all their own clothing. The Obamas are millionaires, but not NEARLY as wealthy as the past few presidents. Unlike Hollywood starlets, it would violate ethics laws for any politician to accept clothing as a gift. In short, the Obamas where what they can afford. I think she’s great for American fashion. Laura Bush wore lovely clothing, but I can actually afford Mrs. Obama’s J. Crew ensembles.

  42. Wow says:

    A lot of designer animosity is more than like sour grapes from Michelle not choosing one of their designs for the inauguration (sp?) instead of using the up and coming designers.

    I love that Michelle keeps doing things the way she is comfortable with. As someone said earlier, if she only wore well known designers, she’d be criticized for that as well. I’m glad she seems to have sense enough to not play into those types of petty public games. I think it ticks her critics off more so that she doesn’t hold their comments in high regard. Good for her, but as for me, I enjoy seeing what desperate measures they like to go to.

  43. Kay says:

    Why are so many enamored with Michelle, the Sigourney Weaver of black world? I don’t like her style, but am barraged with how great she is. She’s not, to me or anyone that I know or speak with, anything special. The Jackie O of today, no way.

  44. InFL says:

    Her taste is questionable at best. The media is just trying to create a myth where there is none. Sorry, ain’t buying it. She needs serious help in the fashion department–since it seems that’s what she’ll concentrate on as 1st Lady.

  45. Kay says:

    Anything she does, the American media raves about. But the public sees the truth, she ain’t all that. You have to read other countries reviews to get the truth. American media is only going to publish positive reviews on anything Obama.

  46. Holly says:

    She looked GREAT at every event; I love her style!

  47. j. ferber says:

    InFl and Kay, Sorry, but you’re in the minority here. As you should be. I’m in the camp of SHE CAN DO NO WRONG! Love, love, love her.

  48. Amanda says:

    I personally love her styl…I find that she’s had more hits than misses in the fashion department.

    I do find it interesting that these huge designers that are out of reach for most Americans are trying to use the “pump up the economy” card. What’s more likely to happen…that people will rush out to get the newest Oscar de la Renta for the First Lady’s traveling suit or that people will show up at J. Crew for the First Lady’s cardigan?

    FWIW, it’s not like she has not shown up in couture either. Narcisso Rodriguez isn’t exactly mall-chic!

    I think she is striking the right chord with her fashion choices. She always looks appropriate (even if you don’t care for the fashion) and her wardrobe is befitting of the times.

  49. CeeJay says:

    It’s hard for those at the top of the heap to realize that the heap is melting. It’s only natural that new and upcoming designers will take the place of Wang, Karan and de la Renta. You’ve had your turn girls and boys. Time to sit back and watch the young pups have theirs.

  50. Fashionista NOT says:

    I totally agree with the comment regarding her lack of originality and knowledge about what styles fit her best. Like it or not, she is representing American women across the globe. No, what she wears isn’t as important as what is said, however, I know I personally would not like to be considered a “typical American woman” if that is the look she is attempting. I’m definitely NOT a big Obama fan, nor am I a fashion diva but, if you’re going to act the part of First Lady, you need to look it as well. Get a sylist already. If I hear one more reference to her being the Jackie O of today, I’ll scream! I’m not saying she’s all bad but, leave the cardigans for hanging out with the kids and dress appropriately for these events. I dress with more care going to the grocery store than she appears to for meeting the Queen. And wth?!! An iPod for the Queen and a guitar for Carla Bruni, who has 3 award winning albums and, most definitely, her own, much more impressive guitars. If you are going to represent America, put some thought into your actions, gifts, and appearance. We’re not all tasteless, classless goof balls. I’m all for saving money but, at least do something that is thoughtful!

  51. hmm says:

    Kay, you are delusional but take comfort that you and Dirty Martini are in the same crazy boat. The rest of the world is impressed with our First Lady and loved her fashion and all of the kvetching on Fox News is not going to change that fact. And Dirty Martini, I have no words for that kind of ignorance.

  52. Merri Lee says:

    At the end of the day – who cares? She’s shopping, not declaring nuclear war or legislating anything.

  53. Kat says:

    With no one working, I think she is smart to stay away from those over priced designers. Oscar can bitch all he wants, but ordinary women wear sweaters.

  54. Ursula says:

    I am sure if she wanted to be a fasion model, she would have not bothered with Princeton and Harvard. She dresses well in many people’s eyes. How come no one raised the issue of Hillary Clinton’s fashion sense when she was first lady and and fashion was all the rage in the 90s? Because there was nothing to talk about.

    And BTW,those designers- Oscar et al should know that no one is beated any more into submission. If I was Michelle, I would deliberately not wear his ensembles out of spite.

  55. teehee says:

    How about someone highlight what she is DOING politically and her contributions intellectually/socially for the US.

    What sh** to care more about how a woman is dressed than for what acomplishes in life, especially when she is capable of such a large impact!

  56. Madeleine says:

    I don’t think Michele cares what any of us think anyway,she can’t please everyone. She’s clean, what more do you want? I do wish she would not close her mouth when she smiles, she looks like Stan Laurel. She has nice white teeth, show them. I’m sure if she stepped out in a garbage bag most of her supporters would say she is innovative and a strong woman, just what we need, wonder woman in a garbage bag. Her clothes are too tight too, she is a large boned woman, a little room in these sweaters would look a lot nicer, and that too tight silk magenta dress with the black net hemming which is supposed to be part of her spring wardrobe, get rid of that, it looks like she is working on the streets of Bangkok. Everything is just too darn tight.

  57. Marianne says:

    I agree with De La Renta. Michelle has no taste. Her clothes don’t fit her body properly. Everything she wears look super tight and uncomfortable. And, OMG, those prints…
    Of course her clothes are not that important. But, being well dressed means extra points to anyone in any gender or profession.
    And Michelle doesn’t speak for herself anymore, she’s representing a huge country. The president and the first lady are supposed to be mirrors of their people. And it’s not pretty if the they decide to embarass themselves with bad remarks or tacky clothes in front of the rest of the world. Especially now, when the world is so visual and one bad move will be all over the internet in 2 minutes.
    I hope Michelle will improve her fashion sense in the next months. She desperately needs to.

  58. gg says:

    rotfl @ Madeleine! I like how she seems so down to earth. But I was going to say something about her smile as well. She reminds me of a little girl with a beeeeeg secret. I guess to add to her level of poise, she should probably practice a press smile showing her teeth. She will probably get all anorexic and lose 50 pounds and get botox and then everybody will think she’s great. I hope she doesn’t do that though – we need a real woman in the White House.

  59. Hieronymus Grex says:

    She should be angry at her hair stylist !!

  60. geronimo says:

    OFGS. No one that matters gives a mouse-sized shit what she wears. She’ll make mistakes like every public figure does but anyone that thinks her style faux pas somehow lessens her is as shallow as a sun-dried puddle. That she clearly wears what she likes as opposed to what the style police think she should wear is another big plus in her favour.

  61. neelyo says:

    If she wore high end stuff all the time she’d come off like Marie Antoinette. And besides, she is so much more than her clothes. I wish people would talk about something else. I don’t recall anyone giving this much attention to Laura bush’s wardrobe and she really didn’t have much more to offer.

  62. rbsesq says:

    Kaiser, exactly what responsibility does she have to American designers? The American people elected her husband to office, and I believe she has a responsiblity to represent the American people. I don’t think she has any kind of responsibility to provide free advertising for designer clothing that only 10% of Americans can afford.

  63. rebecca says:

    Hate to break it to everyone, but those up and coming designers are pricey too. Actually more so than the established lines since the older designers have mass market bridge lines such as DKNY, Simply Vera and whatever De La Rentas is called to make their style affordable to the masses. J Crew pieces she wears are in some cases custom made and not available to in masses stores either.
    I see the point about wearing a sweater to meet the QUEEN. Michelle is a beauty and icon to many. She is charming, but I do not feel this was a strong choice. I really think the American press would have issue if a head of states wife wore something similar to an official event to meet the pres, its just not for that formal of occasion.

  64. the original kate says:

    unlike sarah palin, michelle is smart enought to avoid wearing lots of expensive designer clothes when the country is in a depression. she looks fine, she’s got other things on her mind, and oscar de la renta should have a nice steaming cup of STFU.

  65. VANESSA PARKER says:

    the clothes do not make the woman!

  66. Lisa says:

    Michelle Obama is the First Lady of the United States of America. The Free World! She can wear whatever she wants designed by whomever she so chooses. She sets the tone for her clothing not the designers! I am sure they wouldn’t want anyone to tell them what to wear and whom they should have design it!

  67. Wow says:

    Some of you women are so delusional and it’s pathetic. You don’t care for the First Lady because she is not a size 4, she’s too tall, her hips are too wide… WTF? Women come in all shapes, sizes, and complexions. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Let this woman be who she is and wear what SHE is comfortable wearing. Geez, worry about what’s in your wardrobe and what YOU can afford. Alot of this uneccessary chatter about her fashion stems from envy or hate. Some of you are a piss poor reflection of what women are.

  68. Roan says:

    A majority of the remarks I think is the reason she isn’t bowing down to the emotions of designers. I can’t even believe they spoke of her as if they are some sort of advisor to her. She is not an elitist and I hope she never switches to designer clothes of any of those that spoke out so rudely about her. Those old mill mindsets of fashion need to die like the old capitalist american way of thinking. Toast to her for being over ‘fitting in’

  69. Gogetter says:

    Silly me, I didn’t know Oscar de la Renta was a real person. I thought he was kinda like Captain Crunch, but for fashion.

  70. Di says:

    Everybody who mentioned Sarah Palin and/or the economic crisis is absolutely right. It is ESSENTIAL that our first lady NEVER looks like she is leading an overly glamorous life in the middle of a recession. It would infuriate people. It actually helps her husband that she doesn’t appear to superficial or fashion-obsessed.

    She looks beautiful and tasteful. Her clothing choices are politically very smart.

  71. Ayanna says:

    You have got to be kiding!! Is it realy her role as first lady to help deepen the pockets of these high end designers. She is stil her own person and has a right to bring her own style and class to the white house and that is exactly what she is doing. And doing a hell of a job at it. These designers can dress those on the red carpet whoopie ti doo! but please keep there petti ass jelous comments to themselves when it comes to our first lady. SHE ALREADY HAS GRACE, STYLE AND FASHION KNOW HOW! We have seen it from the beginning and im sure it will conitnue.

  72. Judy says:

    So, Michele wears clothes from J.Crew, and WalMart, and hispanic designers and all the libs who voted for her husband think she’s glorious, and that Oscar and Vera are being pompous Repub’s eh? How about the idea that she ought to be dressing like a First Lady, which she is, and not a hillbilly?

  73. Annie says:

    @Judy – Exaggeration much? She doesn’t dress like a hillbilly.

    And stop putting words into people’s mouths, you know what they say about making assumptions….

    She just doesn’t wear Oscar de la Renta or Vera Wang. She still wears designers and she wears what works for her. Fashion is about personal interpretation.

    And she doesn’t wear things from Walmart, again, exaggeration much? And please do not refer to them as “hispanic designers” and say it in a way that seems derisive. Even if she did/does, that’s her prerogative and I’m glad that she’s a sophisticated and EDUCATED woman who doesn’t allow something as trivial as “clothing” to define who she is as a mother, an intellectual and the First Lady.

  74. Stephanie says:

    “I think it’s wrong to go in one direction only”

    And what have the past couple first ladies been doing by wearing clothes from the big fashion houses??? They have plenty of money to burn, even in this bad economy. I applaud her for paying homage to those who are truly struggling: the up and coming designers

  75. FF says:

    Oh please, Michelle should pick what works for her and if she’s receiving compliments for her choices now why fix what isn’t broke.

    It’s encouraging to see new designers being spotlighted as opposed the same old same old that everyone’s used before.

    Seems the designers finding themeselves losing out are just sipping the haterade. Afterall they’re already ‘big names’ why should they care? Unless they’re just bloated and overindulged. I’d hope they’re more open-minded than that and simply rise to the challenge of designing more interesting stuff for a woman who doesn’t wan fussy, frilly, and super-logo-ed.

  76. safia says:

    Lets be true to ourselves. The first lady is a woman and real woman. She has colour, curves, natural beauty, whit and most of all is intelligent. Maybe Oscar should start to look into these qualities in his models who are not real women but women which are forced into a mould that is unrealistic and an expectation to fit into unrealistic dress sizes and shapes.

  77. flo says:

    @safia, I agree.

    I would like to see these high end designers’ clothes for the normal sized woman…

  78. NayNay says:

    @ safia:

    Ya I agree with ya. Oscar de la Renta is also one of the top designers that don’t even feature models of color in his runway shows or print ads. Neither does Vera Wang or Donna Karan.

    Perhaps if M. Obama sees some faces similar to hers in their shows…perhaps she’ll consider them…