Designer Douglas Hannant Disses Michelle Obama, Says She's No Jackie O.

UPDATE:

Hannant's publicist has emailed the Huffington Post with the following statement from the designer:

"I did say 'Michelle Obama is not another Jackie Kennedy and I do not consider to be a style icon.' But in addition, I also said 'She has so much more to her and has mass appeal. I admire her as a role model and think she will achieve great things in her position as First Lady.' And by the way, I voted for Obama."

****
Page Six notes that not everyone is a fan of Michelle Obama's style. On Monday, at Tobi Rubinstein Schneier's House of Faith & Fashion discussion, designer Douglas Hannant had this to say about the first lady: "Everyone compares her to Jackie O--she is not the next Jackie O." His comments were reportedly met with some gasps.

Hannant has dressed Charlize Theron, Beyonce and Sarah Jessica Parker and his collection is available at Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman and other fine boutiques.

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Comments

[USAwoman]

11:34 PM on 12/22/2009

Who is Douglas Hannant? I've never heard of him or his designs. That being said, of course Michelle Obama is no Jacqueline Kennedy. Mrs. Kennedy was born into wealth and was a bit materialistic. Remember the White House renovations? Mrs. Obama came from middle-class America and worked hard for her education and career. Yes, Mrs. Kennedy always presented herself as a classy lady. But, in my opinion, Mrs. Kennedy never seemed relaxed and natural. Mrs. Obama, on the other hand, is naturally classy. She doesn't need designer wear to feign class. She is simply herself ... class and grace.

[DrCatalyst]

12:16 PM on 12/16/2009

Indeed, Michelle Obama is no Jacqueline Kennedy. While Mrs. Kennedy was the most fashionable as well as youngest First Lady we’d had up to then, she was not an accomplished woman, but a socialite who spent more on her wardrobe than her husband earned as President! Mrs. Obama, on the other hand, is one of the most educated and accomplished First Ladies we’ve had, in addition to being attractive, having a marvelous fashion sense and enjoying an openly close relationship with her husband (something Kennedy unfortunately didn’t have). The country is fortunate to have a First Lady with such an impressive résumé.

[Janett]

09:06 AM on 01/14/2010

And what exactly 'the most educated' First Lady has accomplished so far -- except changing her wardrobe several times per hour.

[KIVPossum]

04:48 AM on 12/14/2009

What Hannant meant to say was, "Mrs Obama doesn't buy my dresses, so I will put down her style. Yet I will say a couple of nice things about her, and maybe she will buy one from me'

[edwarvir]

06:43 PM on 12/14/2009

KTVPossum You are SPOT ON

[Hartwell]

06:42 PM on 12/13/2009

Jackie O? How about just plain old Michelle Obama? Whenever you speak of someone does it have to begin with comparison to someone else whether good or bad?

Being this pretentious sort of kiss, kiss kind of critic is so ridiculous in this day and age.

I am no Halle Berry. And now what? Halle Berry is no Einstein and so on. If you absolutely have to critique someone why can't it just be about that person?

http://www.semiimportant.blogspot.com/

[TheStreamAlwaysWins]

10:05 AM on 12/13/2009

I was a small child in the late 70s and remember seeing a photo Mama had in one of the magazines where Jackie O was dancing on top of some table or other or maybe at some party drunk. I cannot remember the details but I think she was drunk.

Not MIchelle Obama-type at all.

[Owltree]

10:49 AM on 12/14/2009

I was an adult in my 30s during the late 1970s, and even with a sharp memory I remember no such picture of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, but then again I do not now, nor have I ever read the supermarket tabloid rags. If such a picture actually existed and was proven to be authentic, you can bet that it would *STILL* be circulating....with a vengeance. Mr Hannant's comments smack of sour grapes, since Mrs. Obama does not wear his creations. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was a rare woman indeed among the collection of FLOTUS who have occupied the White House. Whether or not Michelle Obama attains the level of "Jackie O" remains to be seen, and in some ways she already has. One thing is certain: Mrs. Obama has a style and grace that has been lacking in the White House for many, many years.

[citizen of the universe]

12:01 AM on 12/13/2009

It seems to me that Michelle has a knack for finding classy and stylish inexpensive items. She epitomizes the old addage about a nice hairdo and the right accessories "jazzing up" an inexpensive outfit.

[catlady777]

02:46 PM on 12/13/2009

Citizen: I agree with you. What I like most about Mrs. Obama's style is that she is true to herself. She also is able to wear anything from top designers to budget such as Target. It shows America that everyone can dress great with some imagination. In this time of economic stress most folks need to watch their pennies and dollars. It is great to see a First Lady that appreciates everyone wants to look nice but has to do it within their own budget. Later for the egotistical fashion designers are only interested in women with money and bodies like coat hangers to feed their egos.

[Sabreen60]

08:24 PM on 12/12/2009

Why would this idi0t even make the comparison?? What was the underlining meaning?? I mean he says it as if J@ckie0 was some kind of sa!nt or something. I won't go into what I think about J@ckie0, but suffice it to say she doesn't enter my mind when I think of Ms. 0 - different time, different culture for women - different people.

[AmericanLeslie]

09:22 AM on 12/12/2009

Of all of the things I've ever read about Michelle Obama, I can't ever remember hearing her say that she wanted to be the next Jackie O! And for all of the respect I continue to have for Jackie O, when it comes to being FLOTUS and making the American people feel welcome in the White House, she certainly no Michelle O!

[DaEarl8]

01:03 AM on 12/12/2009

I read Vogue, W, Women's Wear Daily, and Harper's Bazaar.. both the US and the British versions... and honestly... I have NEVER HEARD OF THIS GUY!! WHO is he????????????? It's like "Mr. Blackwell" and his "worst dressed list"...while I agreed with many of his targets... honestly does anybody know of or remember any collection that Mr. Blackwell designed??????? Maybe that will be this guys next calling.

[JaneQCitizen]

05:59 PM on 12/11/2009

Aw. Is the designer upset 'cause Michelle won't wear his stuff?

[aquarius64]

07:55 PM on 12/13/2009

BINGO!

[TaurusRose]

02:27 PM on 12/11/2009

I don't know how people can defend the 'J Crew Style' for this first lady; it may be comfortable but it looks awful on Michelle. Boxy and not fluid. No drape no shape.
As someone noted, her fashions miss more often than they succeed, and she winds up looking matronly and middle class.

[JaneQCitizen]

06:00 PM on 12/11/2009

She IS middle class. She has middle class roots and isn't ashamed of that. That's why we like her so much.

[TheStreamAlwaysWins]

10:06 AM on 12/13/2009

Oh so Mrs. Bush wasn't middle class??

[catlady777]

02:50 PM on 12/13/2009

We all know the Bushs are rich white folk. Come on now!!

[teewrecks]

08:00 PM on 12/10/2009

mmmmmm tons of unnecessary things, like fashion, to distract us from topics that actually matter...

[katieandtom]

07:47 PM on 12/10/2009

mo is no jackie o; however, i cannot recall her saying that she wanted to be. they are two entirely different people with different styles.

[mmgbizgirl]

07:45 PM on 12/10/2009

Michelle is Michelle. Proudly!

[lightbulb10]

05:43 PM on 12/10/2009

Wow. Scratch-scratch.