Michelle Obama's State Dinner Dress Bashed By Oscar De La Renta

Although we loved and will continue to openly rave about Michelle Obama's State Dinner dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, designer Oscar de la Renta remains unimpressed.

He told WWD, "My understanding is that the visit was to promote American-Chinese trade -- American products in China and Chinese products in America. Why do you wear European clothes?" adding, "I'm not talking about my clothes, my business. I'm old, and I don't need it. But there are a lot of young people, very talented people here who do."

De la Renta made similar comments in April 2009, right after the first lady visited London. He told WWD at the time:

"American fashion right now is struggling. 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."

In the same article, he also knocked the outfit Michelle wore to meet Queen Elizabeth, remarking, "You don't...go to Buckingham Palace in a sweater."

Yikes! Well, one de la Renta has made it into Michelle's closet: the First Lady donned a shift by his son Moises two summers ago. Looks like Big Daddy de la Renta will just have to keep waiting.

Comments

[SteveDenver]

03:48 PM on 02/04/2011

Okay, I read the article: where is the SLAM by Oscar de la Renta?

[SavageLeto]

01:36 PM on 01/30/2011

Oh my GROAN...

Will you armchair patriots fumbling with your useless symbolism be silent!

[DrEdPullen]

11:26 PM on 01/27/2011

Michelle always looks good. Lets hope the michelle Obama obesity battle gets our kids looking good and becoming more healthy.

[hope for change]

10:33 AM on 01/27/2011

The dress was beautiful on Michelle and she can carry off very dramatic looks. However, I do think for this particular occasion an American designer would have been in order.

[Lexie]

06:20 PM on 01/26/2011

I loved the dress. It was gorgeous and she looked gorgeous.

[ddDinah]

09:29 AM on 01/25/2011

I loved the dress which was done by an english designer, loved the color on Michelle she looked stunning. BUT I agree Oscar on this one. When India was invited to the WH, she wore a dress done by an India designer. It's time to standup FOR AMERICA.

[IceBergAhead]

12:25 AM on 01/25/2011

Michele's dress was nice.

[IceBergAhead]

12:24 AM on 01/25/2011

Lang Lang the pianist says he chose it. Chairman Hu Jintao recognized it as soon as he heard it. Patriotic Chinese Internet users were delighted as soon as they saw the videos online. Early morning TV viewers in China knew it would be played an hour or two beforehand.

At the White House State dinner on Jan. 19, about six minutes into his set, Lang Lang began tapping out a famous anti-American propaganda melody from the Korean War: the theme song to the movie “Battle on Shangganling Mountain.”

The song Lang Lang played describes how beautiful China is and then near the end has this verse, “When friends are here, there is fine wine /But if the jackal comes /What greets it is the hunting rifle.” The “jackal” in the song is the United States.

The film depicts a group of “People’s Volunteer Army” soldiers who are first hemmed in at Shanganling (or Triangle Hill) and then, when reinforcements arrive, take up their rifles and counterattack the U.S. military “jackals.”

[DeloresT]

11:33 PM on 01/24/2011

Get over it de la Renta! FLOTUS has worn Vera Wang and Jason Wu....among others. Continue to dress Barbara Walters and the other 80 somethings. Leave Michelle along.

[rustysc]

11:33 PM on 01/24/2011

Sure, it's not about you Oscar, sure......

[dct1999]

10:00 PM on 01/24/2011

Jealous old man can't contain his envy any longer, didn't we see this show last year?

[KnowzyRowzy]

08:48 PM on 01/24/2011

Leave Michelle alone!

[Goldengrl]

06:59 PM on 01/24/2011

Aw shucks, it's Oscar again with his sour grapes critique of Mrs. O. Absolutely loved that red dress. Who is he anyway, the Emily Post of fashion? Go away.

[Libb Cabal]

09:42 PM on 01/24/2011

No, he's a designer with an opinion. And he voiced it.

I don't see WHY he felt he had to express it, because there is no way he can come out looking good in this....and the First Lady has a difficult time coming out good in this, either.

Why didn't she stick to American designers? Doesn't she realize that the American economy is tanking and unemployment may be permanently at 10% or higher?

I think ODLR is pointing out that Americans need help now, and it looks bad when the First Family don't recognize that and don't use their resources to promote American designers or whatever, especially at a very high-profile state dinner.

I guess I'm playing devil's advocate here. Carry on.

[DeePDX]

03:45 PM on 01/24/2011

This is the first "high end" designer I've seen The First Lady wear. Maybe he's upset that it isn't one of his designs since he's dressed previous First Ladies. I read that he says it's nothing personal since he's been designing clothes for a long time and has a good business, but I can't help but hear pettiness since he complained about her outfit a year ago meeting the Queen of England.

[Libb Cabal]

09:44 PM on 01/24/2011

Well, I think he has a point and I don't think it is petty at all.

I try to buy American whenever I can. It's not easy sometimes, either. But I'm committed to standing up for the American designer, artisan, and workers.

I just don't understand why our First Lady acts like she is unaware our economy is in the toilet and record numbers of newly homeless families are evicted from their homes each week. A little compassion for what Americans are going through would be nice.

[DeePDX]

12:14 PM on 01/25/2011

But Libb, she has worn American designers since the very beginning. It's one of the marks of her character that was made known when she became apart of the public eye. It's because of her people here and abroad know who Jason Wu and Isobel Toledo are, and a way to jump start the shoddy economy she was the face of J.Crew, and wore basic yet fashionabl
­e pieces from Old Navy when the President was first elected. There are numerous others, and relatively affordable­, quality garments she's worn designed in the states.

That McQueen gown WAS gorgeous, and appropriat­e for the occasion. She's the wife of one of the most powerful men in the world. Granted, she's ours but she is also a figure of American womanhood. I respect Mr.de la Renta's opinion for sure, but I think he's picking the wrong fight with the wrong person.

[ValdaDeDieu]

02:51 PM on 01/24/2011

Miaow!