A First Lady First? Michelle Obama Wears Vintage Norman Norell Dress! (PHOTOS)

First Lady Michelle Obama's support of the American fashion industry seems to know no bounds. First she showed us fashion's future by wearing dresses by American up-and-comers Jason Wu, Maria Pinto, and Thakoon Panichgul -- and now she is giving us a glimpse into our nation's fashion history.

For tomorrow's TNT Christmas in Washington broadcast -- taped on December 12 -- Mrs. Obama is sporting a vintage 1950s black lace dress by one of America's once-great, now-obscure American designers, Norman Norell.

Keep reading below.

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This rare garment came from the impressive archive of New York Vintage, whose owners cite this as a rare - and perhaps unique - instance of an American First Lady wearing vintage at a public event.

"[This is] truly an historic event, as this may be the first time a First Lady has worn a vintage dress," says New York Vintage co-owner Jon Schneck. "Other dresses from the archive have been scheduled for use by the First Lady later this year. We are truly honored that the First Lady has chosen a gown from New York Vintage as her first venture into vintage couture."

While little known these days outside fashion circles, designer Norman Norell (1900 - 1972) was one of America's most influential mid-century designers. His simple but stylish clothing was known for its timelessness, glamor, and beautiful construction. Considered the first American fashion designer to compete successfully with the then-omnipotent French couturiers, Norell's obituary appeared on the front page of The New York Times with the headline: "Made 7th Ave. the Rival of Paris."

New York Vintage, a boutique in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood, boasts an archive of clothing dating back to the early 1800s, and includes designs by "Father of Couture" Charles Frederick Worth, Paul Poiret, Elsa Schiaparelli, and, of course, Chanel. They also stock pieces by American designers James Galanos, Halston, and Mainbocher, among many others.

Schneck and his business partner (and wife) Shannon Hoey regularly dress Hollywood's A-List for red carpet events and loan pieces for elite magazine editorials. Their apparel has been worn by countless celebrities, including Lady Gaga, Julia Roberts, Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Lange, and Beyonce.

Christmas in Washington, a holiday musical celebration benefiting the Children's National Medical Center, is annually attended by the President, the First Lady, and other Washington VIPs. Now in its 29th year, the special features Ellen DeGeneres as its 2010 host. It will air on TNT tomorrow evening at 8/7c.

 

 

 

Follow Lesley M. M. Blume on Twitter: www.twitter.com/lesleymmblume

Comments

[1laingirl]

09:44 PM on 12/20/2010

The First Lady looks wonderful and the dress is lovely. Norell's clothes were always very nice and the workmanship was amazing. The clothes looked almost as good on the inside as they did on the outside; that's how you could tell if something was really couture. I think it's great the First Lady is wearing vintage; recycling is a good thing, as Martha would say.

[patriciacaldwell]

04:16 AM on 12/21/2010

Fan #250. My tailoring teacher told me the same thing about the inside of a garment 40 years ago. That's the first thing I check.

[1laingirl]

09:25 AM on 12/21/2010

Thank you, and back at you. I sew and, while not an expert like my mom was, I've sown a couple of two piece outfits (dress and jacket) from complicated Vogue patterns and got rave reviews on them. Each took forever to make. Now I don't have the patience, but still admire good workmanship and fit, so limit my sewing to altering almost everything I buy. Not many people sew much now.

[amber15]

04:06 AM on 12/20/2010

one of the most beautiful photos ever!!

[Cynth]

06:53 PM on 12/19/2010

Breath-taking dress and the FLOTUS wears it well. Wonderful choice!

[vintagestylefiles]

01:39 PM on 12/19/2010

First of all, I think the dress is a very classy, sophisticated choice for the First Lady and I applaud her for choosing such a beautiful and timeless vintage garment. And, thanks to Lesley for giving the dress the credit it deserves. All the posts about it being a thrifted, hand me down $2500 dress are way off the mark. Norman Norell's designs appear in many museums. This dress would be considered a very desirable acquisition for a vintage clothing, costume or textile collector. As far as the supposed 2500.00 cost, haven't seen one article where the writer stated they actually could confirm that. Many said "estimated cost". Big difference.

[MaryJane Colorado]

09:59 AM on 12/19/2010

Stunning!

[pardis]

09:57 AM on 12/19/2010

Enough, Enough, Enough already with the arms showing; okay we get it-the first lady's arms are her nicest assets, but come on-every dress? every picture? every photo up? I love this first family but enough with the arms-give it a break already. My husband even commented that she needs to stop with this look.

[lucylou]

12:12 PM on 12/19/2010

And now .. it's times 3! Shows how much the Americans love to spend on heating bills. I'm at my desk in Rome, Italy with 3 shirts a sweater & a wool hat on!

[patriciacaldwell]

01:24 AM on 12/20/2010

Not all Americans overheat their homes. I'm in Baltimore (24 degrees F outdoors now) in a well-insulated house that I keep set on 58-60 degrees. I'm wearing a tee shirt and pajama bottoms and have bare feet. The heat is rarely turned on. If it gets over 60, I open a window. 

Back to the subject of Michelle's arms. She's at a dressy occasion; what's the problem if she wants to be comfortable and show the dress to its best advantage? Do you criticize celebrities at events in NY who wear their arms bare? It's a silly political obsession.

[ShanaJuly]

05:49 PM on 12/19/2010

Enough of you and your ilk obsessing about her arms...

[propitiousmoment]

04:02 AM on 12/19/2010

Those 50's designers knew how to gracefully enhance the female form. This is just beautiful.

[bisbeeornotbisbee]

09:47 AM on 12/20/2010

ITA, propitious.  It is my favorite decade for women's haute couture.  Beautiful, stunning clothes that flattered women, which is exactly what fashion should do, but doesn't do so well, or that often.  It's so lovely to see it on Michelle.

[jplanner]

01:59 AM on 12/19/2010

She looks so pretty!

[The JillyBean]

01:10 AM on 12/19/2010

They look cute. I like the vintage dress. :)

[girlsparky]

10:12 PM on 12/18/2010

Our First Lady, always a class act.

[bombaysaphire]

01:48 PM on 12/18/2010

Truly beautiful dress that she wears wonderfully....she looks absolutely stunning!

[siljerjo]

07:15 AM on 12/18/2010

She looks absolutely stunning, and while the dress is beautiful too, I think it's mostly the woman and not the dress that shines the brightest in these photos.

[katieandtom]

06:16 AM on 12/18/2010

now this WORKS. please first lady, pay attention - fuller skirts hide fuller hips. they had it right back in the 50s. this look works for you. beautiful.

[youvegot2bkidding]

11:03 AM on 12/19/2010

Oh yes--because full hips are SO distasteful and must be shamefully hidden at all times.

[patriciacaldwell]

01:28 AM on 12/20/2010

When did it become "improper" to have hips? oh, right ..... after President Obama was elected. When will women stop pointing fingers and wrinkling their nose at other women? I hope sooner rather than later.

[krallfan]

01:28 AM on 12/18/2010

My only complaint is that I cannot fully enjoy the dress because FLOTUS is not standing up straight in any of the photos! Grrgh.

[QueenNewsBee]

01:13 AM on 12/18/2010

I appreciate Huffington Post not referring to this vintage couture dress as a second-hand dress! Other media outlets have really misconstrued the context of vintage boutique vs. thrift store. I set the record straight, regarding Mrs. Obama's dress, here: http://wp.me/pEOCB-or