Meredith Koop: Michelle Obama's New Unofficial Stylist?

With the news of Ikram Goldman's upcoming Legend of Fashion honor comes a series of reports that the Chicago boutique owner is no longer Michelle Obama's unofficial stylist, and that the first lady might be taking wardrobe advice from White House aide Meredith Koop.

The New York Times' Cathy Horyn slipped, "For what it's worth, I hear that Ikram Goldman, the Chicago retailer, is no longer directly involved with Mrs. Obama's wardrobe, since December," in at the end of her "About That McQueen Dress" article. And Mrs. O blog has the most detailed account of all -- in a post late last month, Mary Tomer wrote:

Mrs. Obama's repertoire of designers has expanded drastically in recent months, to include new names such Dries Van Noten, Marc Jacobs, Roksanda Ilincic, and even vintage Norman Norell. A diverse wardrobe is growing more diverse, and fast. Ikram Goldman has been known to source clothing for the First Lady from designers not always carried in her boutique, but Chicago is a fashion market of "exclusives," and it's unlikely that Ms. Goldman would secure pieces from designers carried by her competitors. For example, Blake, another high-end store in Chicago, carries Dries Van Noten and Roksanda Ilincic. These designers are not stocked at Ikram. Which raises the question: if not Ikram, who secured pieces from these designers for the First Lady?

One answer might be Meredith Koop. In April 2010, Politico.com ran a short, unnoticed piece on Mrs. Obama's "secret style weapon." Koop is a 28-year-old White House aide rumored to play a "pivotal role" in the First Lady's style. At this point, little else is known about her position. But why the move away from Ikram? Logistics and location are one possibility. It may simply be more convenient to have someone Washington-based at the helm of Mrs. Obama's complex wardrobe. Robin Givhan offered another possible hint with this November 2009 tweet: "Ikram in DC 'selling Michelle dresses she can't afford.' so sayeth a source."

So what do we know about Koop? Not a whole lot. In the aforementioned Politico piece, Kiki Ryan and Amie Parnes write that Koop works in the East Wing and that they first heard of her from a hairstylist who worked with Michelle. Koop's Facebook page shows that she's a stylish blonde, her activities and interests are "Barack Obama" and she's friends with Ikram.

One thing's for sure -- the First Lady will probably keep mum about Koop, in any case. She really never formally acknowledged Ikram's hand in her fashion choices, leaving it up to her chosen designers to drop Goldman's name. And likewise, Ikram never discussed her relationship with the White House, except to confirm that Michelle shopped at her store for years.

Comments

[Carol Olden]

01:11 PM on 02/10/2011

The H and M dress looked nice, and probably would look better with different accessories, such as the tan over the knee boots Mrs. Obama wore in the winter as well as the signature belt she usually wears, and some necklaces for contrast. It is a versatile dress that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion and accessories.No matter what she wears, she has the professional bearing of a model so the fashions show well.

[brendastouffer]

10:38 PM on 02/04/2011

Mrs. Obama's recent stylist had to be a Republican....

[drreader]

08:19 AM on 02/04/2011

The biggest improvement to anyone's 'style' is good posture, and a good tailor.

[patriciacaldwell]

10:04 PM on 02/04/2011

Michelle appears to have both in spades.

[Paul Ahern]

04:59 PM on 02/05/2011

" The ; First Lady , has both , and , more : Class !


2farleft

[hang319]

07:42 PM on 02/03/2011

Damn, no pictures

[Boereworsrocks]

01:56 PM on 02/03/2011

As an American I do not care how the first lady dresses!!! As long as she looks presentable, neat and clean I am happy. The rest is "waste of time" nonsense!! Michelle Obama is such an intelligent person. We should be paying attention to her words and not her outfits!!! WAKE UP PEOPLE OF AMERICA! We have millions of unemployed and/or homeless citizens. Now that needs our attention!

[MsNancyMitford]

03:09 PM on 02/03/2011

What IS your occupation?

[Libb Cabal]

01:30 AM on 02/04/2011

That has nothing to do with Mrs. Obama's role as FLOTUS.

[gettingitright]

12:22 AM on 02/05/2011

This blog is usually for people who think fashion is interesting and fun. You can like fashion and still be aware of poverty, war and other pithier issues. We're a very involved species and can walk and chew gum at the same time. Besides, a little frivolity is good sometimes.

[MsNancyMitford]

01:19 PM on 02/03/2011

Another disaster it the making for the First Lady

The First Lady needs a "dresser", not a stylist, working UNDER the supervisio­n of a protocal expert.

Not a cute blonde who likes clothes and follows trends.

[Cakey4814]

02:30 PM on 02/03/2011

And you need spellcheck or grammar check..one of those..

[MsNancyMitford]

03:08 PM on 02/03/2011

Actually, it's auto spellcheck that is the culprit, however, I haven't the vanity to care.

Consider interpreting the results a brain exercise.

[TaurusRose]

05:14 PM on 02/03/2011

LOL misspelling one word should not obligate you to 'a launch'

[MsNancyMitford]

12:59 PM on 02/05/2011

Why are you speaking to me? I would surely never address you unless a staffing agency sent you to my house, even then I would send you away.

[hypyrwyf]

01:11 PM on 02/03/2011

I love the way the First Lady dresses. She has so many important things prioritised above fashion and appearance. I personally like her style, and I like that it's her style. She seems authentic, and I mean that in a good way.

[Gutts]

12:08 PM on 02/03/2011

Go Michelle!...The more people criticize you the more powerful you become.

[Libb Cabal]

08:17 PM on 02/06/2011

I'm sure there is more to our First Lady than her style. However, that seems to be her primary focus. When she starts performing on any of her promises by doing something other than showing up for photo-ops or meaningless speeches that do nothing to address the real problem--then perhaps she will become powerful.

Until then, she's just window-dressing. I hate to say it, but it's true.

[tanya11111]

11:14 AM on 02/03/2011

if people paid half as much attention to what she says...

[Niasia]

11:45 AM on 02/03/2011

Exactly!!

[Libb Cabal]

08:18 PM on 02/06/2011

What she says. Meaningless speeches that do nothing to address the problem, but do serve to draw attention to herself, do not get the job done.

When she starts actually performing on her promises with something other than drive-by photo-ops, then people will take her seriously.

[Pema]

10:11 AM on 02/03/2011

I liked some of what she wore, but i think she is looking wonderful lately. its hard to dress for cameras, what looks good in the mirror doesnt always translate to film... she looks fantasic is sleek simple elegance which is a tribute to her healthy eating and working out.

[comment from Ron]

09:58 AM on 02/03/2011

This is really stupid. If you want to discuss fashion, then go take pictures of people like Paris Hilton. If we want to discuss things that are actually important, then go talk to people like Michelle Obama.

[GoodbyeRubyTuesday]

12:11 PM on 02/03/2011

This article is in the Style section of HP so fashion is discussed.

[patriciacaldwell]

10:08 PM on 02/04/2011

How did you stumble into the Style section? I thought it was clearly marked.

[bytheC]

01:27 PM on 02/03/2011

wears. And yet you are here in the Style section commenting. I think she looks fabulous no matter what she wears. She has class, is beautiful and intelligent. We are lucky to have an accomplished woman like Our First Lady.
BTW-envy not an attractive trait.

[Cakey4814]

01:41 PM on 02/03/2011

Have to laugh at your attempt to insult Mrs. Obama with your misspelled words (she wars clothes) and garbled sentences (all the crisis and and in ..)..lol.. You asked "who cares..I assure you Mrs. Obama doesn't...haha...

[considerthis]

08:57 AM on 02/03/2011

oh my, get up on the wrong side of the bed? much to early for so much hatred, it's not good for you. try to have a nice day though.

[adele montgomery]

09:05 AM on 02/03/2011

FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES: MICHELLE OBAMA UNTIL 12/2016!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GET USED TO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Corve DaCosta]

07:35 AM on 02/03/2011

Does it matter?

[ddDinah]

07:14 AM on 02/03/2011

WHAT EVERA SHE DO'IN, IT'A WORK'IN...the lady IS LOOKING GOOD THESE DAYS.