Michelle Obama Visits Energy Department In Chanel-Inspired Jacket (PHOTOS)

WASHINGTON -- On a visit to the Energy Department on Thursday, first lady Michelle Obama quizzed middle-school students about red blood cells and nanotechnology during a practice science quiz competition.

Mrs. Obama also praised department employees during her 13th stop on a tour of the federal bureaucracy.

• • • The first lady's jacket is from Moschino. (We mistakenly credited it to White House, Black Market earlier.)

"You don't often get the thanks that you deserve," she said. "Sometimes you get a lot of the blame and none of the credit for the progress that has gone on in this country."

The first lady said the agency's work has been critical for bolstering the economy, promoting national security and preserving the environment.

"What you're doing here couldn't be more urgent," she said. "And it's not easy. Everyone knows it's not easy."

Mrs. Obama commended the agency's educational initiatives. "We all know that we can't transform our energy future unless we transform our education system," she said. "So that's why were so pleased by what folks here at the Department of Energy are doing to get young people excited about science."

After her speech, Mrs. Obama and Energy Secretary Steven Chu took turns asking questions of 7th and 8th graders from Kenmoor Middle School in Landover, Md., and Takoma Park Middle School in Takoma Park, Md., during an unofficial practice Science Bowl competition.

The Energy Department coordinates Science Bowl competitions around the country. Winning teams from each regional competition will compete at the National Science Bowl this spring.

"I'll be reporting the results back to the president," Mrs. Obama joked before asking the first question. "So no pressure, young people."

Comments

[pgurlatl]

These critics sound dated. I can only imagine what articles of clothing would be found hanging in their closets.

If there were real fashionistas here they'd wonder why she'd publicly and so obviously wear a Chanel knockoff in the first place.

Or maybe for the first African-American First Lady, even a Chanel knockoff is too good for her. The nerve.

[PoliSci2008]

This is a classic and exquisite apparel esp. for a FL, and MO is wearing it exceptional well. Her speech to the Energy Dept staff was original and came across as sincere. It’s nice to see the FL addressing adults, like she did with Breast Cancer Awareness group.

For the tight-wads out there, MO is an upper-income, educated, worldly woman, and high-end clothing comes with the status. The recession is on the rebound, ask a CEO’s wife. Also, we have grudgingly seen her casual side, and now, let us welcome her upscale side.

[greymom]

This is an amusing take on the classic Chanel jacket. It is more of an amusing piece of art in homage to Chanel.

I once took a week long class to learn how to make the classic Chanel jacket. The class was 9 hours a day, for 6 days and I still didn't finish the jacket until I got home. It was really a fun project and well within the ability of most sewists, however one must be dedicated to doing a lot of hand sewing and fitting. The jacket had 14 pieces, if I recall and didn't even have a collar and I am not including the pockets in that number of pieces. Each sleeve had three pieces, the front and the back had 4 sections each. The lining was quilted to the boucle fabric, then seams were sewn by hand.

[jaielaw]

Sorry, KaT, I've hated MANY--possibly most--of Michelle Obama's outfits since she arrived in the White House, but this one is beautiful and totally appropriate for her body, her age, her title and the event.

[jaielaw]

Odd. I thought I posted this in response to katieandtom's post below.

[supergenius02]

In the so called worst economy since the great depression Michelle is running around tackily flounting her wealth. She could not stop at the $900 clutchbag or $500 sneakers, now she is wearing a $1,720 Moschino jacket. I wonder how many homeless children she could have helped that cash. In many areas the wealthy are dressing down as the new chic due to the economy, Michelle flashes her bling like some hood rapper. Michelle should be ashamed.

http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2009/11/michelle_obama_wears_moschino.html

[dct1999]

In many areas the wealthy are dressing down as the new chic due to the economy

LMAO @ the sheer stupidity of someone believing that the "new chic" among the clueless rich has any bearing on the first lady's clothing choices.

Do yourself a favor, look up the word "bling" so you don't sound so stupid the next time you attempt to use it. You're funny, in an extremely pathetic sort of way. Oh, and your attempts to equate Mrs. Obama with a rapper is transparently obvious.

Try again, after you educate yourself.

[Dupree]

Part ONE

I do not recall anyone calculating the cost of any of the previous first ladies in this country. And by the way...poverty is not some new thing in this country for we have had poor people in each and every generation since the beginning of our nation. And furthermore, I find it disingenuous that the same crowd that berate Michelle for looking "cheap and un-First lady like" when she does dress like ordinary folks...are the same ones that come out against her for looking elegant. YOU can not have it both ways. She is a millionaire and that transpired BEFORE Obama was sworn in office. He is the author of two best-sellers and on top of that ....Michelle was making a six figure income ...even making more money than her husband. Is she suppose to pretend she is poor now? Is she suppose to purchase her clothes from the thrift store now? Would that make your pathetic world any less pitiful? She would be perpetrating a fraud if she was to dress like a homeless person. She is living in the White House and purchasing her own clothes from her own bank account that existed long before she took office.

[jaielaw]

I agree with all of the above, except that calculating the amount that first ladies spend on clothes happens with all of them.

[MorgaineChya]

The other First Ladies were not First Ladies in the worst economy since the Great Depression.

Do you remember how George Bush was criticized for playing air guitar at a birthday party while the people of New Orleans were getting the snot kicked out of them, with many fatalities, by Katrina?

It just didnt' look right, did it? Didn't you get the impression that he was disconnected from the Katrina victims, and didn't care about how they were suffering?

The Obamas are giving that impression, too.

[Dupree]

Part TWO

This is a woman that can wear J. Crew and then turn around and wear an expensive outfit in the same week. This is a woman that do not mind getting down dirty planting a garden and then sit in the presence of dignitaries for she is in that classification herself now. She is versatile to the max. She does not wear bling bling no more than your momma wear bling bling (or perhaps she does ....who knows and who cares) but one thing I appreciate is that she is elegant no matter what she wears....and that just drives you insane...and I will confess...that makes me happy too...perhaps I need prayer but it makes me darn happy.

[ss193]

DuPree, do you mind if a perfect stranger calls you a sweetheart ? Trust me you are not the one who needs a prayer.

[Bafun]

Ridiculous comment. Michelle Obama worked for her money. She can spend it as she wants as everyone does. A lot of American spend more or less money everyday. If you cannot, she can and a lot of people can. This is what stimulates the economy. This 1,720 $ jacket cannot help a lot of homeless people, but a social program including affordable education and health care for everyone. THIS is help for the poor and Obamas are fighting for. She helped for sure a lot more people than you. You are for sure against health care for everyone, included the homeless.

[MorgaineChya]

Of course she can wear whatever she wants.

Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI did exactly that, while the rest of France was suffering.

So, while she can choose what she wants to wear, disregarding how it looks when America is suffering and unemployment is now over 10.2%, she will have no choice on the reaction from the people, nor in the legacy that results from her behavior.

[katieandtom]

where does she pick out this cr ap?"??

i give up!!! there is no hope for this woman. she has NO taste, NO style, NO class - she is NOT elegant and there is NO hope!!!!

she is educated, smart and is an asset to her husbands presidency and this country. i love what she is doing with children, mentoring and healthy habits.

i have now decided that she is a fashion emergency. she cant help it, it isnt her fault. shes like eleanor roosevelt, bless her heart. so good for the country but no style.

so to MO is say - bless your heart!!

[DeloresT]

Yikes! I loved this outfit....to each his/her own.

[youvegot2bkidding]

Your ludicrous rant only proves what I've always thought about keyboard fashion(ista) critics--that all their "taste" is located solely in the mouth.

[dct1999]

Moschino. A highly respected, highly sought after designer. The jacket is obviously not for those who don't keep up with current trends.

[TanzaniteDiamonds]

Good lordee woman! I'll be the first to admit that I haven't liked every single outfit she's ever worn (we all have our own opinions of "style"), but to say that she has "NO CLASS" is a bit brutal, isn't it?

For me, she's the epitome of class and warmth, regardless of whatever she's wearing. I can understand NOT liking an outfit, but to diss her integrity is a completely different thing . I realize that may be your "opinion", but it's not mine.

[youvegot2bkidding]

That's what 'they" do--assassinate her character every which way, and then say,"it's only a fashion opinion...freedom of speech..."..and all that other nonsense.

They then cry and whine about about being victimized on these boards because they're not Obama "'bots".

[TanzaniteDiamonds]

Very unique! She looks fabulous.

[Pema]

chanel would have been much better....

[DeloresT]

I loved this outfit. We all have our opinions and ideas of what's fashionable.

[Pema]

absolutly!

[jozzie]

Fun. A pop-art take-off. Who's the designer?

[LaurieAnn]

Italian designer Moschino. I do think it's perfect for her. A classic design with a very modern finish.

[MorgaineChya]

The jacket and sheath are very becoming on Mrs. Obama. It is similar to a Chanel design, but more edgy.

[VirginiaJeff]

Why does HP routinely reduce women to fashion statements?

[jozzie]

Because this is the Style Section???

[AnglScarlett]

Why is Michelle Obama nearly always found in the style section? Her question is legit and your answer is worthless snark.

[BritishColumbian]

So why aren't pictures and hair styles of other women on here such as Ms Huffington's? She is supposed to be a feminist but her posts don't reflect that.

[missgeorge]

who care, she doesn't dress any nicer than any other 1st lady, and lots of times she dresses a lot worse

[dustybay]

I know that we will have equal rights when the media stops writing about what women wear, or perhaps start writing about what men are wearing when they visit the energy dept , etc....

Could you imagine that headline? The President visits Gordon Brown wearing Chanel??

Geez, it minimalizes what the first lady is doing for us

By the way though, she looks Great!

[MorgaineChya]

Gordon Brown is Prime Minister. Michelle Obama is First Lady.

Gordon Brown was elected to his important role. Michelle Obama is First Lady because she is married to the President.

There is a bit of a difference between the two.

[jaielaw]

When the men start wearing something different from the standard-issue suit and tie, I'll be the first to comment.

[ScarlettMocha]

Fantastic outfit!! Mrs. Obama looks GREAT! This is classy and sophisticated, I love it!

[MadeandBakedintheUSA]

I am so happy to see EDUCATION #1 -

I am so happpy to see the President IGNORE Murdoch/WSJ: Dumb it DOwn Mr President!

Murdoch's media does not cater to the intelligent - that is obvious!

[MorgaineChya]

America's unemployment rate is over 10%. Our economy is still in shambles. Americans have repeatedly opined that the economy and unemployment are their top concerns. Economists have said we cannot move on this recession until unemployment is greatly decreased.

If Education is a #1 priority, then someone has their priorities askew.

Education is important, but not more important than our economy and unemployment.

[Paula K DearenMills]

Education is important because as we educate our people they will be able to compete in the job market. We are now in the information age and the jobs will require that we are better educated. The two go hand in hand. Americans need to be aware that the jobs are changing.
So it is great that the First Lady is so aware of that factor.