Oscar de la Renta Slams Michelle Obama's Buckingham Outfit As Major Designers Feel Ignored

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 on her European trip alone--WWD asks where the love has gone for big name designers like Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, and Ralph Lauren. 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.

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"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 the first lady 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?

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Comments

[oskarsucks]

Agree with all of you. I think the guy shot himself in the foot. Idiot. I'd be glad to see those old boring fashion people disappear a little. Get serious, you make clothes. Just go back to your sewing machine and add a few pins to your mouth.

[mawhit]

I guess it should be, "You DIDN'T... go to Buckingham Palace in a sweater." Wonder who people are paying more attention to at this point? Thakoon or de la Renta? Oscar.....old white guys aren't in charge anymore. Didn't you get the memo?

[allonfla]

Give me a break, go talk to your trust fund babies, socialites and nyc (not really) housewives. you've had your moment in the sun.

[OverIt]

Here's a great diary including a poll on why Oscar de la Renta is feeling miffed about Michelle Obama's "snub"... as if he was ever in contention given the horrible job he's done dressing First Ladies recently.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/4/4/173251/6509

[want2trustagain]

I think it's great the First Lady (and she actually deserves the title unlike what we've had for the last 30yrs or so) is wearing these designer labels and looks like a mil in them. Maybe Renta, Karan, and Wang need to produce things that are in the price range of the 89% instead of the 11%. Or are the going for a bailout also.

[MaryscottOConnor]

Laura Bush
Hillary Clinton
Barbara Bush
Nancy Reagan
Rosalyn Carter

Irrespective of the politics, these are the First Ladies of the past 30 years. Care to tell us which one doesn't deserve to be called a "lady?"

[jmoore79]

Except for Jackie Kennedy and Nancy Reagan, the First Ladies of the prior administrations always seemed to me to look downright boring.

[ontariogirl]

I'm glad she is giving the lesser know designers a chance. The others have lots of cash so they really don't need to add to the bank. Why are people so judgemental about what a person wears anyways.

[alexandrovich]

Michelle Obama looks great and is taking some risks too. I think she can pull it off. Her warmth and radiance are evident.

[Javonne Rushing]

I love Michelle's outfits they look beautiful

[liminal67]

Like his opinion matters... unless you work for him....or want to

http://pitchbendpost.blogspot.com/

[yomi]

i think the criticism is too early. and who appointed oscar to be a spokeman for her wardrobe

[Bettysdad]

When was the last time de la Renta dressed a woman who wasn't near death?

The Obama's are a new generation.

[fearandclothingblog]

At the end of it all, de la Renta, Karan and Wang are vying for the top job but Michelle Obama seems more egalitarian in her choices, which is a fantastic thing for new or up and coming designers. These established designers should move on, get over themselves and remember that they all had to start somewhere.

[lee4713]

What is the official word on whether any of these clothes are donated? I recall Nancy Reagan getting a lot of criticism for this. Granted, few of the clothes Michelle wears are what I would call "cheap", except for a few blouses and sweaters, but if she's got to amass a wardrobe then she won't be buying from all over. It's been less than three months, for crying out loud.

Oscar dressed two Bush women and neither one of them looked distinguished. He's got to make his case better.

[Shiral]

Oscar needs to get over himself and design something Michelle would want to wear. Newsflash, Oscar--as people worry about the essentials of life, your spring collection is kind of far down in the priority list for most Americans. Maybe you can go weep on the shoulders of AIG, and see if they can part with some of their tax-payer funded bonuses in your cause.

As far as I'm concerned, Michelle can wear whatever she likes. I'm glad she wears clothes ordinary women can afford, sometimes. Yes, I know as First Lady, sometimes she needs to go formal and elegant for state occasions. But after Laura Bush's matronly, unadventurous suits and dresses, I find Michelle a great breath of fresh air. If she wants to wear the big name fashion designers as well as the Jason Wus, let them work a little harder to attract her eye.

[jessejuju]

It takes more than one person to change your industry, and if your business is struggling, how is a press appearance going to boost your sales when women and men can barely put food on their table let alone afford a piece of overprized bedazzled dresses? Oscar can seriously suck it. The Fashion Industry has ignored the common person in America for far too long for anyone to give a damn.
Michelle Obama is a classic wonderful, intelligent and super woman. She represents the United States through her grace, not for what she wears to sit with a queen.

[bassy]

Well said. When you consider the prices of the designer clothes and the quality of workmanship. I am with you 100%. The prices keep going up and we are getting more crappy stuff. I agree with you Michelle Obama is a classic wonderful, intelligent and super woman. She did not come to the world 's attention for her style. It is the American public that is trying to turn her into some kind of fashion icon (or not). I think that she is very comfortable being known as a wife and good mom (who happens to be married to the President of the US). Michelle was not raised with Jackie O. or Paris Hilton $$$ and she is not trying to fake that she did, so why should we criticize her . If she dresses one way (designers) they call her "uppity" if she dresses another (casual) they call her (ghetto). Michelle dresses like Michelle and I am fine with that.

[Googolygoo]

Not "they", bassy, you. It sounds like YOUR problem. Stop turning criticisms of her inability to dress herself appropriately into a race issue. We elected a black president, so that faux righteous indignation is one of the things you have to sacrifice in exchange.

[yomi]

i think u are saying the right thing but insulting him is not appropriate, read my cooment