Hello and Happy-Happy Day!
The brilliant minds over at WWD (Women’s Wear Daily) have put together some fabulous special issues of late, both online and off. The story & sketches were released online yesterday, while the issue carrying the story is dated 12/3/08. The article is entitled “Michelle Obama: What Should She Wear?“
Isaac Mizrahi via WWD
The story by offers sketches of different inaugural gowns from a broad group of prominent design and fashion houses. Above we see Isaac Mizrahi’s idea for Mrs. Obama along with daughters Malia and Sasha, all of the designs just beautiful.
The always exquisite Monique Lhuillier offers a vision in deep crimson…
Monique Lhuillier via WWD
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The winter white peau de soie by Peter Som is stunning.
Peter Som via WWD
As is this Carolina Herrera…
Carolina Herrera via WWD
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And this offering from Badgley Mischka…
Badgley Mischka via WWD
There are several day looks as well, including this elegant suit from Diane von Furstenberg.
Diane von Furstenberg via WWD
The Tracy Reese design is simply divine. Note the small bow near the left collarbone on the coat; a bit of a trademark for the future First Lady.
Tracy Reese via WWD
The rich purple from Tuleh is also head turning.
Tuleh via WWD
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Back to the party frocks, with the Elie Tahari submission also showcasing a bow at the neckline.
Elie Tahari via WWD
Betsey Johnson’s effervescence is evident in her design and her drawings:
Betsey Johnson via WWD
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Regular readers know TP is a huge Oscar fan; we have been for years.
Oscar de la Renta via WWD
But we were a little underwhelmed by his submission. The red, white and blue theme is certainly patriotic, but Malia Obama’s dress reminds us of something Scarlett O’Hara might have worn and Sasha Obama’s dress doesn’t appear special in any way. Is that just TP being a crankenstein… or do you concur?
Let’s not go all fuddy-duddy here… oh, whyforever not? It is this with which we struggle: the sleeveless look for young girls, in this case the Obama girls, but you are seeing it everywhere, or so it seems of late. When growing up we simply didn’t go out in public with bare arms at that age, unless perhaps in a sundress for playing on the beach or another equally informal setting. Even recognizing we were raised in the dark ages, we still don’t find it appropriate for young ladies to be out in the evening in a party frock with straps where the sleeves should be. Harrumph. (Calling all Mothers and Grandmothers… do let us know of your thoughts and preferences on this topic, we would love to hear from you!)
Having done our best to be tedious, here is a look for the Obama girls from Best & Co., showing both the coats and the dresses to be worn underneath.
Best & Co. via WWD
We are thinking the girls’ coats would be a soft wool or wool/cashmere blend with velvet trim and buttons; they are darling. The dresses underneath leave us a little flat.
Best & Co. via WWD
The Koi Suwannagate dress for the future First Lady is a little frou-frou for us, but if anyone could pull it off, Michelle Obama probably could.
Koi Suwannagate via WWD
Michael Kors‘ design is classic elegance…
Michael Kors via WWD
The Christian Lacroix look seems a little fierce.
Christian Lacroix via WWD
We shall leave it at that this evening, but we will share more of the designs, including a fabulous Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel look.
A quick update on the $30,000 ring the President-elect was allegedly buying for Mrs. Obama: there isn’t one. At least not a ring purchased by Mr. Obama from Italian jewelers Giovanni Bosco. Our original post here showed the ring, accompanied by some background as well as our open expression of angst over the veracity of the story.
Courtesy Giovanni Bosco
It turns out the Obama office is denying the story according to Tommy Christopher at Political Machine.
“The Obama Press Office told me this: the story is not true, there is no $30,000.00 ring.”
And on that note, g’bye until next time.
