It's Official! Michelle O. Is The New Jackie O., Say Fashion Pros
Could the new Mrs. President please the eagle-eyed fashion pros on the biggest day of her life? It's a near impossible task - just ask any female Oscar nominee. Nevertheless, the reviews are in and they're mostly good. Personally, I liked that she flouted tradition and didn't wear any all-American Barbara Bush-ish colors, nor a somber suit befitting the sober times. Her choice telegraphed both that she's a girl who is going to have fun with fashion and that will take the world by surprise in more ways than one.
Now, here's what the pros had to say:
Nicole Miller, designer
I think every woman is going to want to wear something yellow for spring now. And it's clear that Michelle Obama is going to be a memorable first lady in many ways, but definitely will when it comes to fashion. Can you even remember an outfit that Laura Bush wore ? Michelle will be memorable!
Glenda Bailey, editor-in-chief, Harper's Bazaar
The Isabel Toledo suit that Michelle Obama wore was the color of a ray of sunshine -- an apt metaphor for the brand-new day we have been waiting for. And I love the fact that Isabel lined it in pashmina to keep her warm. It just goes to show that style can go hand-in-hand with intelligence and innovation.
Tommy Hilfiger
I think she is a very independent woman who can carry off wearing something new as long as it's colorful. She may start a trend bringing color to the forefront! Color itself is adventurous, and she IS supporting American Design!!!
Jenna Lyons, creative director for J.Crew
[Michelle wore J. Crew gloves and shoes to the swearing-in, while the girls wore J. Crew coats]
I think her choice is stunning, elegant and incredibly modern...she looks feminine and powerful at the same time. The girls are head to toe in crewcuts for J.Crew! We are so incredibly proud and honored. This is a very special day for the country and we feel so lucky to have the opportunity to play even a small part. Go Obama!
Stacy London, co-host of TLC's What Not To Wear
I think she can pull yellow off, but it's hard for American women to emulate.
I think Michelle is separating herself from the pack with this outfit. It is a bold color choice few women can pull off. The wool lace is intricate and much busier than the sea of cashmere coats surrounding her. Instead of the traditional bold primary colors: red or blue, she chose a color specifically for her. The matching coat and dress is reminiscent of Jackie O's classic 60s style. I can't wait to see what she wears to the balls.I think the matching coat and dress look will be copied. I think the color palette will be a hard sell going forward. Also, the texture of the lace work is very busy for the average American woman.
Patricia Fields, wardrobe creator for Sex & The City and Confessions of a Shop Girl
I liked it-they looked like normal people getting dressed up. Michelle never looks like a Stepford Wife. I liked the daytime sparkle - it was a sparkly occasion. Everyone was laughing and happy. She was uplifting in a good mood celebratory way.
Kristi Brooks, celebrity stylist -- dresses Sharon Stone
I absolutely loved Mrs. Obama's dress today. I think the fact that she chose such a bold and unusual choice is right on par with her wardrobe choices throughout the campaign. She does classic and conservative with a modern edge, which I think is a reflection of many women in this country today.
I thought the color choice was lovely for her complexion, it really popped on her. I love that she chose to wear lace which is such a huge trend this fall; but interpreted it her own way. I think we are watching another Jackie O. in the making!I think Mrs. Obama is trying to say that we are entering a new era, in every aspect. An era that combines our history with the promise of our future. Her silhouette was a classic one, but the color and fabric were quite modern. She isn't afraid to take risks and express her own personal style, while still respecting the conservative tradition of her position as first lady.
John Barrett, celebrity hairstylist
I think that Michelle has probably taken some stellar advice from the stylists at Vogue where she just had a sitting with photographer Annie Leibovitz, the choice of color couldn't have been more perfect to show off her complexion as well as reflect the bright giddy mood of the crowd and the country, the choice of an open coat over dress is so chic and something we're going to be seeing a lot of. I think that after a bumpy style start, Michelle has found her look and I love it!
[I think the Vogue editors might have advised her to] definitely dress as young as she is, also avoid jackets and anything that cuts the body in two makes your butt look huge (see Laura). She is elongating her body rather than getting that boxy look with her looks over the weekend and today!
Kelli Delaney, designer Members Only
As much as I appreciate taking fashion risks, I did not like Michelle Obama's outfit. It looked like heavy curtain fabric and reminded me of the Sound of Music when Julie Andrews cut down the brocade drapes and made them into dresses. I think she looks best in bright stretch knits and cashmeres, and I love how she adds personal touches of jewelry to her clothes...those sparkly pins and broaches will definitely become the trend, not her inaugural outfit.
Ramy, celebrity makeup artist
I didn't love Michelle Obama's look at the swearing-in ceremony. It wasn't terrible, but what statement is she trying to make? It looks as though she didn't even think about it. It has the vibe that she chose to wear something that she personally likes without thinking about the fact that she is now the First Lady and her clothes will be making a statement.
The shoes were dreadful and the color of her outfit didn't translate well in pictures. It may look wonderful in person, but again, now that her husband is in office and she is on the world stage, she needs to consider how her look will translate. The color she wore did not flatter her beautiful complexion. If she is trying to appear to be a normal average person and "one of us," she succeeded.
Robert Verdi, style expert and TV personality
The color was optimistic with the whole idea of the sun rising. But it was a little paler, safer and more conservative than I had hoped. And yes it was more 5pm than 11 am, but I could forgive that.
The fact that she chose a designer -- Isabel Toledo -- who is loved and respected in the fashion community but not necessarily known outside of it, was a bold and sassy choice. Isabel will now become a household name.However, I would have preferred that she chose a clearer, bolder color rather than an "ish" color -- goldish, yellowish. Bold colors feel more authentically her.
I loved the camel and black Narciso Rodriguez outfit which was decidedly American and totally chic.
Philip Bloch, celebrity stylist and designer
I was blown away by how elegant and chic Michelle Obama looked. Her dress was exquisite. I am going to be presumptuous and presume that the choice of the pale yellow was in reference to the soldiers in Iraq coming home. Somewhat reminiscent of the "Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round An Old Oak Tree" or Tony Orlando and Dawn days. Wow, I guess I'm showing my age with that one! It was interesting that she chose to not go for red, blue, or white which would have been an obvious choice. I thought right down to the avocado toned gloves, ribbon, and scarf, she often chooses the slightest embellishment and touch of femininity to complete her outfits. I was also slightly intrigued by her choice, in such austere times, of a daytime outfit with a little bit of sparkle. I loved that she chose to go with the new/old Vogue standard of mixing evening fabrics with daytime looks. The little sparkle embroidered into her outfit and the three dimensional textures of the fabrics were rich and opulent. Not the usual choice for Michelle who tends to be a little more J. Crew and understated. This was clearly a history-making moment and an outfit that will be a part of First Ladies Fashion History.
On Laura Bush, I was incredibly impressed with her pale gray outfit. The casual looseness of the fit was very age- appropriate. I thought the tailoring was impeccable. She looked elegant and classy but obviously much more toned down than Michelle. She stood for more of the tradition that we have come to expect from the First Ladies.
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Why do you have to be equated to someone else to be great.
Don't kid yourself, the media doesn't want Michelle Obama to be the next Jackie O., they want her to be the next Princess Di and we know how that went. We need the media to let the First Lady be herself and not try to impose an image on her.
Michelle is Michelle, let her be. To compare her to Jackie is ridiculas.
Why does she have to be anybody. Personally I like her best in pants and sweater.
Could we please skip the crap about her wardrobe. She is so much more than that. How about talking about her accomplishements, her ideas, the books she reads, etc... Please, --- people get a life and start talking about real issues.
Michelle is much more than Jackie O, she is truly a queen among women. There is not one shred of doubt that Barack is where he is because of her. There should never be a day that goes by that he forgets that.
He should take that thought with him when he is considering how to deal with the Taliban and any radical Islamic group, that being, women have more influence than they are given credit for. Until the women of that group rise up against the oppression they have been under, it will be hard for an outside force to make much headway.
I really resent your comment that Michelle is much more that Jackie O. Do you know anything about Jackie Kennedy? Why does this have to be a contest? I resent the fashion style comparison because Jackie was in a league of her own. No one can or will ever touch her when it comes to glamour and style.
Why not give credit to both women for helping their husbands to get where they did? It is well known that JFK relied on Jackie for advice on many issues. He even dedicated his book Profiles in Courage to her. So stop making this a competition and let's celebrate both women?
I hope this comment appears, because lately every single thing I post just disappears. Why not give other people a chance to comment, instead of seeing the same old names over and over again?
How about we let Michelle Obama be Michelle Obama and Jackie Kennedy be Jackie Kennedy and stop the ridiculous comparisons of the Kennedy's with the Obama's. Frankly, they just are not the same nor do they need to be or have to be. It's really not very becoming to focus on what a First Lady wears or her hair, etc. This type of fluff is not what being a First Lady is about. Now, when you are ready to report something of substance about Michelle Obama let me know. I'll be waiting for that news.
This is my first post on a dress.
Michelle's inauguration day outfit was a home run. Washington in the dead of winter is about as grey and cold a place as you can find. The sparkle in Michelle's outfit was exactly what was called for and I liked the way it drew attention and focus right to the first couple. The latina theme - the color hue and glassy aspect - gave a cosmopolitan early millenium oomph to an event that can be too mundane.
hey, change is what we asked for, right? Go Michelle.
No, no she isn't. Jackie O. Jackie O, proved that she was more, much more, than just her clothes. I am sure that Michelle O will end up proving the same thing. But let's stop the comparisons, you are all doing both of these women a great dis-service.
Likewise, B.O. is no Jack Kennedy, he will be his own man. There is no Camelot reduxe, and we don't need one. So get over it and let them be who they are, themselves.
OK. It is the solution for que financial crisis. The first lady wardrobe will put more bread in the poor people table
yes in some ways it will...
So the people who work in the design houses, the people who sew, the people who works in the textile mills, the people who are buyers, who work in the shoppes...yes, when her Crewe's out fit she wore on the View was sold out in no time...and more had to be made...that did help create jobs and feed and pay the bills of the poor.
Ok. Lets invite Armani for Commerce.
Our "FIRST LADY" is indeed. stunning and beautiful ...2009's answer to Jackie O
Jackie WHO?? When, oh when, can we leave the baby boomer's behind--especially the dead ones. We have a future to actualize, not just more nostalgia to immerse ourselves in. Michelle Obama is Michelle Obama and it the year 2009. No comparison.
Well as a baby boomer still alive and paying taxes that you whipper snappers will recieve...I request not to be dumped in the trash heap.
There WOULD not have been a President Obama without the fight for equal and civil rights that we baby boomers were in the middle of We got our heads busted and went to jail fighting for blacks just to be able to vote. There would not be the women in congress or in law, or any other field without the fight we baby boomers fought. So Jackie Who? Hey Bud...Stupid is what stupid says...
But Obama HIMSELF is a BOOMER.........The Boomer generation ins 1945 - 1964. He was born in "61.
So sorry to have to disillusion you. Even Michelle just squeaks in at the end of the Boomer generation.
Not that there is anything wrong with being a boomer. In fact quite the contrary.
P.S. - And Jackie O was NOT a baby boomer. She was born in 1929.
It always amuses me that everyone always scrutinizes a woman, first and foremost, especially a first lady, for her fashion sense, as if that is the most important thing a woman has to offer. I guess the majority of people think so, lolol. Anyway, I bet that puts a lot of pressure on the woman.
I can see a lot of Jackie O's sense of style in Michelle with some blips such as the ball gown. Unlike Jackie, Michelle didn't have the advantage of growing up in a wealthy family, private boarding and finishing schools and studying in Paris. Jackie O was polished to perfection by her upbringing; she was basically groomed to be a successful man's wife (she became much more later on in life). Michelle didn't have much time for the "studying" of style. Michelle is the daughter of the working class, who also took the harder road of studying law at Harvard and is a self-made woman in her own right.
"If she is trying to appear to be a normal average person and "one of us," she succeeded."
Can we get Michelle some of those Palin threads the gop has locked up so we can see how she looks in them? (some alterations will be necessary)
Great, so does this mean women across the country will be dressing in clothes made from couch fabric?
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