First Lady of Fashion, cont...

The President and First Lady, in Ralph Lauren. Photo: Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images

MObama has been looking amazing on her trip to the UK... So modern, so chic. She even wore Tom Ford! 

In Tom Ford. Photo: AFP/Getty Images

Michelle Obama, in Tracey Reese, with Samantha Cameron. Photo: Matt Dunham-WPA Pool/Getty Images

In Alexander McQueen. Photo: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

With the Camerons, wearing Roksanda Ilincic and Narciso Rodriguez. Photo: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

MObama in Barbara Tfank and Princess Kate in Reiss. Photo: Toby Melville - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Touching down in London, wearing Preen. Photo: Chris Radbur WPA Pool/Getty Images

Wearing Peter Som to meet the wife of the Irish PM. Photo: Staff/AFP/Getty Images

Clearly, she knows what works for her shape, etc but I love that fact that she mixes it up so much... colors, patterns, fabrics, cuts. She embraces fashions and seems to have a little fun with it -- all while staying pretty appropriate. A great role model in style (among other things!).

First Lady of Fashion, cont...

Michelle Obama wears Marc by Marc Jacobs

Hello spring!  The first lady kicks off the new season with bold, bright dress -- by one of my fav (and affordable) labels Marc by Marc Jacobs.  She looks great!  Perfect for a jaunt to Brazil with her husband. 

Marc by Marc Jacobs "Simone Stripe" dress

First Lady of Fashion, cont...

"This is my philosophy. I hope that women learn to wear what they love ... like to patronize American designers, and the vast majority of the clothes that I wear are. But there are a lot of other designers that have cute stuff, too." So says Michelle Obama in regards to her Alexander McQueen dress controversy (see previous post "First Lady of Fashion").

So what did she wear when making the morning TV talk show rounds on Wednesday? Why, H&M! Apparently, the dress retails for about $35. And this is not the first time she's worn the budget-friendly brand. A deliberate statement? Maybe. Either way, she looked great! And good for her for mixing up those accessories. Fab neon shoes!

I love the liberties she takes with her personal style. Clearly, she does not take fashion or what she wears so seriously -- she has fun with it. I can't wait to read Everyday Icon, a book on this subject by fashion writer (and former Bazaar EIC) Kate Betts.

Betts responded to the State Dinner dress ado in a January 28th New York Times op-ed piece and it was spot on, in my opinion.

Highlights: "Michelle Obama’s impact on fashion extends far beyond the “made in America” label stitched into her dress. The optimism, glamour and accessibility that she communicates through her style of dressing transcends cultural borders and economic boundaries. Yes, she is sometimes an ambassador for American designers, but more important, she is an ambassador for the self-possession that defines American style.

Maybe she chose not to promote a specific American brand at the state dinner last week, but she certainly promotes a healthy sense of enjoyment and individuality in fashion. With her brio and idiosyncratic clothing choices, Mrs. Obama has rewritten the dress code for women who work. We wear cardigans now instead of always jackets, flats instead of impossibly high platform heels. We have a little fun with fashion, even to the point of being more frivolous.

And, most important, we dress for ourselves, something the first lady does so effortlessly it’s hard to imagine that there had ever been any dress code for her position. With her floral prints and hula hoops, she’s not afraid to flaunt her femininity — so why should the rest of us be?"

The Politics of Power Dressing

Apparently, not everyone liked Michelle Obama's State Dinner dress as much as I did. Oscar de la Renta for one. The legendary designer 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?". Sour grapes maybe? The First Lady has yet to wear Oscar, while he was a favorite of Laura Bush and Hilary Clinton -- but Obama has worn a piece by Oscar's up-and-coming designer son Moises (see below), which is a statement in itself.

Perhaps Oscar has a point. But one thing is for sure, no matter what Obama wears, she is sure to be scrutinized... as are all women in the public eye (including the women in my First Lady of Fashion post below). On topic is a new book coming out next month by fashion journalist Robb Young, called Power Dressing: First Ladies, Women Politicians and Fashion.

Here is the description of the book on Amazon:

Some find the constant scrutiny an unwelcome intrusion; others use fashion as their secret weapon. Whatever their views, women in politics know they will be judged by how they dress more than their male counterparts. In Power Dressing, fashion journalist Robb Young offers an engaging perspective on the ability of style to influence the careers of women politicians and first ladies. Concise thematic chapters are interspersed with profiles of more than 50 serving and former women presidents, prime ministers, MPs, royals and wives from over 30 countries, ranging from such contemporary figures as Michelle Obama, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, Angela Merkel and Queen Rania of Jordan to such iconic women as Eva Perón, Imelda Marcos and Margaret Thatcher. Featuring hundreds of photographs that shed light on political context, and quotations from prominent figures commenting on each woman's style, this fascinating book reveals the milestone `fashion moments' as well as the unspoken rules of the political fashion game.

Should be an interesting read. If anything just for the pictures!

First Lady of Fashion

Wow! Michelle Obama looks amazing in Alexander McQueen. Once again, the First Lady defies tradition by going for a non-American designer -- and for something bold and statement-making. The scarlet stunner was created by Sarah Burton, who took over at the label after Lee McQueen's death last year. It seems to be a variation of a gown from the line's recent resort collection. Red, of course, is a nod to China as the White House was hosting Hu Jintao, the "President" of China.

I love that she wears real fashion... major designers like McQueen, Alaia, Narcisco, Gaultier, Marc Jacobs; new fashion darlings like Thakoon and Jason Wu; and is not afraid to mix in some J.Crew and Gap!

It is so exciting that we are in a moment where strong female rolemodels embrace fashion. Michelle Obama runs in a pack of chic leaders' wives, including France's first lady, former model Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, who favors ladylike Dior. They don't mind showing up their husbands! (Although both Carla Bruni and Michelle Obama seem to wear flats or kitten heels most of the time, no doubt in an effort to not tower over their high-powered spouses).

British Prime Minister David Cameron's wife Samantha, the former creative director of Smythson of Bond Street and now an ambassador for the British Fashion Council, goes for a more casual look in Brit labels like TopShop, Paul Smith, Erdem and Osman Yousefzada.

And perhaps the chicest (and no doubt richest) of all is Queen Rania. She is certainly no stranger to high-end designer clothes!

Inspiring for the budding fashionistas out there...