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

[TerBear]

God forbid some new designers get a real chance.

[aero56]

Exactly. Frankly, I'm tired of all of these expensive designers. I think the upshot is that they are furious that Michelle has chosen a new disigner.

[GTFOOH]

Oscar who? Put on a fuzzy sweater of your own and then we'll listen, Oscar the Grouch!

[boing007]

Pleneras

They are correct. At first I thought they were jealous, but they know exactly what they are talking about. Someone does need to address Michele on her highbelt, 3 sizes too small sweaters, dresses with too small cuts on top making her look extra big on the bottom. She needs to get away from Toledo!

Let's nominate her for What not to wear. Stacy & Clinton to the rescue!

[pinellas]

What do I think? I think Mrs. Obama is perfect just the way she is - & the 'big' name designers are clearly jealous!
Sour grapes perhaps?
So do they think they'll get what they want, if they keep whining?

[flyingmonkey]

I'm listening them analyze her wardrobe on MSNBC now. What a bunch of shallow, vapid twits.
Michelle Obama looks good. I don't need to compare her to Jackie O or Carla Bruni. it bugs me to see this accomplished woman reduced to a freaking mannequin.

[SwiftTiger]

Exactly!

"Oscar de la Renta Slams Michelle Obama's Buckingham Outfit"?

I'd wear THAT as a badge of honor...

[ChiEg]

Good one!

[mdn]

These have been among the most successful designers for a generation. Now, a new generation is coming of age. This includes everything from fashion to protocol.

[deneufeldt]

With all the things that are going on in the world why do we care what designers say. Leave Michelle alone. She is obviously comfortable with herself and her style. Too many critics. Everyone get a Life.

[diva4Obama]

Oscar is just mad because his stuff is being sold in Wal-Mart..­..Leave her alone! Michelle Obama is simply stunning!!! She could go to Buckingham Palace in a Potato Sack with a belt if she wanted to...

[Yanaar Lee]

Doesn't Michelle have a law degree from Harvard?
Why is she being turned into a fashion pimp?
This is ridiculous!!!!!!

Who care what she wears?

[PoliSci2008]

That's the point, she still dress like she's a struggling law students. (Remember during the compagin when she wore her hair back in a tiny roll with a head band and no make-up?)

I'm with you that it's her intelligence and ideology that's matter, BUT if I have to look at these garden party hooped skirts and sweaters each time she's photographed, THEN IT BEGS THE QUESTIONS, WHO IS HER STYLIST? AND CAN THEY DO BETTER?

[Lalita Amos]

Oscar, if you fashion house is struggling with all your money and power, try making clothes real women want to buy...and can afford.

[jmpfjoy]

In a time when people aren't sure where the next check is coming from, the age of 'designer worship' is over. These overrated, overpriced, under-talented greedbags need to start creating lines that don't fly in the face of what's happening in the world today. I applaud Michelle for having enough sense to stay out of that scam.

[RoseBlue]

Exactly. She sees that this particular emperor has NO clothes!

[goutgrec]

Why doesn't Michelle Obama wear the bigger labels? Easy answer. She doesn't want to be used in the designers publicity machines. She doesn't need them. Oscar de la Renta is a boring designer who is safe and just angry that she's not seeking his advice. Hillary Clinton wears him. Different age group.

Michelle is wearing things that are much more modern than what he does.There was nothing wrong with what she wore to the Palace and just because he says there was doesn't make it so. Also, she needs to sit down and listen to Donna Karan? These people need reality checks. If their stuff isn't selling maybe there's a reason?

[luvangelHussein330]

actually she does wear the bigger labels, She is usualy in Micheal Kors

[IndolentFlourish]

The criticism our first lady would have received, if she had worn only expensive designer clothes in these times, is easy to imagine. I like the way she dresses and the message it sends. Wealthy American designers and the clothes horses that support them need to do more for the poor.

[gnahz]

She looks better when she wears less.

[C65]

CHARINOHIO,
YOUR NAME FITS YOUR BRAIN AND THE REMAINDER OF YOU CAN'T THINK RETHUGS-
CHARED!!!!!!!!!!!!!