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.

Scroll down for excerpts or keep reading the password-protected story.

"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?

*Follow Huffington Post Style on Twitter and become a fan of Huffington Post Style on Facebook*

Comments

[Zoe1]

Who cares what he thinks. Besides, I didn't even know he was still alive. Michelle Obama is giving young designers a chance and for that I really applaud her. I may not care for every thing she wears, but I will defend her right to be who she is and wear what feels good to her. This isn't a contest on who can outdress whom. Leave that for Hollywood.

[Lorena Cassady]

Michelle Obama stands out precisely because she made fashion choice that is in sync with the times, and that connects with women in real life. Why should she give up who she is, and what most of us admire and love about her, to pander to the old line CEOs of the fashion industry? Larry Summers should take Michelle's example and stop pandering to the old line CEOs of the banks!

[BroMan]

",,, in synch with the times." Good point. In her way, choosing as she does goes a long way in not alienating the American women and families who may be struggling right now. President Obama has it easier, as men do - a dark suit, snazzy tie, and you're done.

[livefreest]

but let's not make her wardrobe into something it's not: political games. Michelle Obama wears what she wants, like every woman in America

[Lisa Kerr]

michelle obama is the most beautiful first lady we have had in a long while. the people who whine are jealous. whatever she wears looks great because she is wearing it. she could go into walmart or target, browse around, pluck a few things off the rack and make them look stunning just because they were on her.

i was going to say she could pluck a pair of sweats and a t shirt out of my dresser drawer and make them look stunning, but there's a limit. :-)

[2StepsAway]

Seriously???

It is OK when the little guy is forgotten, has no exposure, or loses what small amount he has. But let the big guys that have dominated the industry at the expense of the little guys not get the spotlight & it is war...

This is sad. Really sad. The First Lady, just like the rest of the WORLD, has the right to wear whatever designer she pleases. To hear the giants in the fashion industry cry & complain about not getting the nod that would help their slumping bottom line is too much. They STILL have the Oscars, Golden Globes, the Grammys, and a host of other red carpet events. I see they are not asking for my dollars - oh that is right, I am not their target buyer -- I cannot afford their garments. If they are really worried about their bottom lines, why not produce items that more people can afford. Oh wait – that would not make them desirable to their high end clients…

[adriana07]

Madame Obama looks awsome. The old man is just jalouse that she succeds without him.

[DiscernTruth]

It's quite telling isn't it. The elite designers, just like the elite in every industry, are soooo whiny when things aren't going their way!! They are so far removed from the cares and concerns of everyday people.

I once wandered into the Elie Tahari section of Saks while waiting for a friend. As I amused myself looking through their selection of $197 jeans, a saleswoman quickly closed in on me, gave me a smile and a nod at my pants and said, "I see you're wearing your Elie Tahari today." I didn't have the heart to tell her that I was wearing my $17 TJ Max low-rise jeans.

[Wood]

That's brilliant!

[formerprosecutor]

First Lady Obama is true to herself in every way, including her style. She is brilliant lawyer, a pragmatic person with a no nonsense foundation along with her natural humor. She is a strong woman that binds her family. I think her style reflects her true self and her own personal history. I bet her mother told her , when she was small, "be yourself"; and I bet she tells her daughters the same thing. I am sure she has a romantic flirtatious side in private life; her choice of serious, classic clothing (inlcuding the cashmere sweater) reflected the seriousness of the meetings and her own view of herself: a seriously involved person and not "arm candy".

[GrkAm]

Sour grapes, Oscar?? I love Michelle's style. She was seen with AND without the sweater. I think it made an appropriate statement. Our country is going through financial issues that haven't been seen since the Great Depression.

It's refreshing to see that the First Lady understands that, by not appearing in major designer clothing at every appearance, costing thousands of dollars each.

[felicity559j]

I agree with GrkAm. I think that Oscar de la Renta is bitter because Michelle Obama is paying attention to the lesser known fashion designers. De la Renta states that he "...thinks it's wrong to go in one direction." Well, Mr. De la Renta, would you think that it would be wrong if First Lady Obama was headed in your direction? Ask yourself: Would you complain if she focused on supposed high fashion designers, like yourself?

Perhaps you should find the grace that Donna Karan and Vera Wang displayed in their comments in the article and lose the bitterness and pettiness that is clearly demonstrated in your comment. And last, but not least, don't forget that there is a time and/or season for everything.

[CatladyLinda]

No matter what she does, she will be criticized by someone. Oscar de la Renta is just jealous.

[mj11051]

These folks kill me with the complaining. If Michelle started wearing this expensive designer clothes, folks would be whining about her spending to much money on clothes. Seems to me that she has her own style and she's a very practical person.

[sammyscout]

those whiny hi-brow designers are turds

[Oxfarm]

Oscar, Donna, Vera, and WWD will be "walking this one back" for years. Can't wait to see the backstroke starting first thing Monday morning.

Oscar, what a dumb quote to have in print. If you wanted to disconnect your White House phone, you could have done so with a bit less fanfare.

I bet the Queen - with her taste for Balmoral country style and her true equestrian spirit - just freaking adored the cardigan and will prolly send MO one each year until she keels.

And these guys wonder why their lines aren't selling like they used to. They're irrelevant and their pisspoor attitude is now on display for all to see.

[kshawNCvoter]

this

[lee4713]

Oh this is hysterical! The queen does love her cardies and I bet would wear them all the time if she could. And so do I love mine!! Here in Minnesota we wear them 10 months a year . . .

[garystartswithg]

i have never been a fan of the j crew thing -- its kitsch ready to wear made to look like it carries a weird neo-american tradition that doesn't exist. a billion corporations do it though -- just go to the mall and its everywhere. it would also be nice to recognize that older designers have sold their name (including donna karan). yeah ralph makes some great stuff still but when you go shopping at macys you get extremely boring button downs and rolled collars. to spice it up you have to sleep in it to get it wrinkly enough to be the family black sheep for lunch at the club.
i think ms obama does a great job wearing younger designers. she isn't jackie onasis and the press seems to be eating itself for its initial comparisons. in the end ms obama is a grown adult and can dress herself just fine most of the time without the help of a centinarian like mr de la renta.
i don't know why there wasn't more critizism of laura bush for wearing every texas yokel seamstress she could find in brownsville except for bobby trendy. she stole her hair from donny osmond and proved you can look really bad in linen if you try hard enough.

[liminal67]

Does anyone really care?

http://pitchbendpost.blogspot.com/

[wolfsvssarah]

Isn't that the truth, with people killing their kids, killing for no reason, killing themselves, North Korea flirting with missiles, I don't know but you would think that they would realize there are a lot more important things out there to worry about. Michele uses good sense about clothes, it's great to have a first lady who cares about the economy. Frankly spending thousands of dollars for a few yards of material seems really really stupid right now!

[BeltwayBette]

Ditto And the rich elitists never learn. Who in their right mind cares that the elitist designers who have been catering to the Wall Street andCountry Club divas are out of touch with OUR new First Lady's simple tastes.
And trying to blackmail her into buying their tacky stuff is sooooo desperate! . Bullying is on the rise among the greedy rag sellers. Soooo out of touch.
Go Michelle; Your care for little girls' futures is classy and so touching that you could wear your BVDs and we wouldn't care. Luv ya. Mrs. J and family

PS the hug I saw was from the Queen to you and you to her. What puthies these pressguys and gals are to make a mountain out of a happy little affection. to help their ratings! It's a new day, fellas. Grow up.

[Anthro]

I think she should try to spread the wealth a bit and use established as well as newer designers and throw in more J. Crew and the like as well just to get a good mix and represent everyone.

[roblabrousse]

I think she should do what she wants. What makes her feel comfortable. And ignore people like you or Oscar de la Renta. This is a democracy not a dictatorship.

[Retha Walker]

I totally agree with you. Plus are people so stupid (even designers) that they don't realize that her secretary has already checked with the Queen's staff to see what is appropriate to wear. I love the fact that Michelle is showing us (who have less money) that we can use designers that have really smart fashions to wear at a lesser amount. If Oscar is so put out then he needs to design some affordable clothes for the everyday women. LEAVE MICHELLE ALONE.

[adriana07]

The big bosses of fashion already have the Oscars, Golden Globes... to show up.

[GlenRast]

Jihadists

[Chanadet]

Here's a good idea. Michelle Obama should tell any of the high-end designers that she will wear something from any low-end, affordable line that they already have or create...... still giving equal time to young, upcoming designers. Why should she promote and flaunt expensive, unaffordable frocks in the face of the world in such a dire economic time? If these top designers have good ideas that match the affordabilty of what she's been committed to wear, then they should approach her. But really, putting it in perspective - - this should be a minor topic in our time where too many children and adults would be happy to have even a small piece of clothing to cover themselves or keep warm.

[Solange]

Michelle Obama is paying for her clothes. The high-end designers like Ralph Lauren and De la Renta can be very, very expensive. If Mrs. Obama spent money on the high-end designers while the country, indeed the world, is undergoing a deep Recession, she would be strongly criticized and if the high-end designers gave her their couture gratis, she would be strongly criticized for accepting the gift. She has made a wise choice, she is wearing clothes that are not extravagantly expensive, and yet are fashion-forward, and appropriate for the times in which we are living. Michelle Obama isn't merely intelligent--she is smart, too!

[kareemachan]

Exactly! Well put.

[markstl3828]

That was very well put. I think she is setting a good example of looking good but not spending way too much.

[pilgrim7]

Agree. She is daring with her own sense of style, and I admire her for that. She yet manages to look fresh and beautiful at the same time, which is no small feat. She's a free spirit who happens to be the First Lady. Michelle marches to the beat of a different drummer who is definitely not named Oscar de la Renta.