Michelle Obama's Secret Style Advisor

Fashionistas may be agog over First Lady Michelle Obama, but Mrs. O has avoided the usual red-haute stylists. Instead, she prefers her good friend, Ikram Goldman, to act as a style adviser and go-between to fill White House closets with runway designs and the off-the rack separates that have become overnight sell-outs.

Chicago boutique owner Ikram, who affectionately refers to her most special client as Mel, has orchestrated almost every outfit of note since Michelle Obama took her first steps into the spotlight over a year ago. Fiercely protective and flawlessly discreet, the Israeli-born fashion guru conducts a cloak and dagger operation to ensure no-one has a clue what Mrs O will wear next.

Ikram speaks only to the designers, placing calls herself and ordering pieces fresh from the fashion show for "a very important client," whose vital statistics are more closely guarded than Tim Geitner's tax returns. She also collaborates closely with the designer to make essential modifications on original designs, since what prompts gushes of admiration on the runway would surely get gasps of horror on the world stage.

It isn't unusual for one outfit to undergo repeated back and forth. A few inches on the hem, an extra panel at the side, a special lining, an exclusive shade of pink...These are just some of the requested tweeks for Fashion's First Lady, often with a 24-hour deadline. But as one designer, who insisted on anonymity, says, "Ikram has the ability to make everyone she meets feel special, so we all bend over backwards to please her."

As well as keeping her self-named boutique jammed with the coolest collections on the planet, Ikram is constantly on the look-out for pieces with which to stockpile Mrs. O's closet. It's a vocation which ensures the First Lady is always fashion-forward and appropriately-attired whether she's making a surprise visit to a school or meeting a world leader.

Mrs Obama and Ikram's relationship is downplayed by White House reps who remain afflicted with the archaic notion that one cannot be clever and accomplished and love clothes all at the same time. But rest assured it is Ikram who has evolved her friend Mel's inherent style into global fashion icon status. And who, within a very short space of time, has prompted women the world over to declare any item of clothing that's pretty, bold, strong and sexy, "so Michelle Obama" -- and buy it!

Mandi Norwood is the author of "Michelle Style: Celebrating the First Lady of Fashion" (Morrow/Harper Collins)

Comments

[JKPHILLY]

Great job on helping the FLOTUS. Why I do not love every outfit, I think that she has it right most of the time.

[HowInteresting]

Ok. There's no proof in this article that this woman is her "stylist". It only states that Mrs. Obama purchases clothes from her boutique. Aside from that, interesting piece..

[Pema]

now we know who is too blame. sorry i dont like 85% of what she wears, doesnt fit her, the material bunches up around her top, patterns that are better suited for a tent or a potholder. she looks best in simple elegant lines, silvery blues, greens and golds, bright colors with touches of silver jewerly. she is definatly a silver girl.
her hairdresser has done a pretty good job. kids are always adoable, and potus is always sharp.

[Derek Lall]

Ikram is fabulous and I adore her, and I love that Michelle has someone with flawless taste and a good eye to assist her in picking out clothes from all of the best labels available.

[Barbara Randlett]

Sorry, but I have to disagree!! I believe that FLOTUS has been ill-advised by Ikram. The fabrics are wrong for the time of day, the prints are horrid, the fit is usually bad. Worse, very few outfits photograph well. Her winter clothes were not appropriate for the temp and weather.

Michelle Obama looked her best in the White House/Black Market dress she wore to the View last summer...i­t was perfect in fit, style and appropriateness.

She is a lovely woman who should consult a real stylist who will serve her better.

[2morrowKnight]

Michelle Obama rocks!

[ChiEg]

Mrs Obama is absolutely magnificent!

[Very Berry]

You know some times she looks great, sometimes not so much. The $540 Lanvin sneakers were a HUGRE mistake - hideous AND overpriced. DISASTER!

http://kipstargirl.blogspot.com/

[U347464]

She can wear whatever she wants, but I am not impressed with Michelle's style. I think we have a case of The Empress () Has New Clothes because some of the things she wears are just horrid. She needs other people apart from Ikram, cause she has had as many misses as hits.

[Pema]

bless ya, i wrote basically the same thing.

[Figural]

Whether she articulates it or not, Mrs Obama understands clothes as uniform and how they facilitate or block communication. Look at the photos of her visit to the kids' school yesterday. She's talking and listening, and the kids know she's listening. She has a two-way connection with her audience, and they love her for it - look at those hugs. There's no way that would happen if she wore a 'traditional first lady' silk suit. She's the first lady role model for the 21st century; times have changed - for the better.

[Maxiesid]

Yes, because G.od knows she couldn't possibly be making any decisions on her own... she is a woman, after all and we all know that there aren't any women out here in the real world that actually dress themselves, or make decisions about what they like to wear... it HAS to be someone else making decisions for her.... jeeeeeeeee­eeeeeeeezz­zzzzzzz What planet are you people from?

[ChiEg]

You're so funny...Bu­t actually spot on!

[HowInteresting]

Right! I was thinking the same thing!!

[Crissy Patters]

Michelle Obama needs to replace this stylists with someone new. It's great to hire friends and move them up the ladder with you, but find someone other than Ikram for her to do but she's definitely in the wrong job.

[ywcachieve]

She always looks good. So she should not change for you, or anybody else. She can't 380 million people.

[caune]

Whatever Mrs. Obama wears, love it or hate it, she OWNS it and that is what style is all about!

[1088]

By the way what was with the long tie back shirt for her date night. That thing was so long it looked like a tail. Posted by clarendon67.

The string got untied in the Limo. Things happens, when you are alone with such a sexy man next to you!
If you know what I mean!!

[headstrong]

What's "secret"about this? I read this name months ago.

[luvangelHussein330]

Queue the catty outradge..­...