Just days–no, make that hours–after Barrack Obama officially secured the presidential nomination, fashionistas and politicos alike speculated on the possible fashion ensembles that Mrs. Obama would don for the big day.
However, the endless sartorial banter covered less what she would wearing than who would she wearing.
past fashion choices by Michelle Obama
Some argued that Mrs. Obama would try again with Narciso Rodriguez–after critics deemed the black and red Rodriguez ensemble Obama wore on the night of the election a flop–as a personal gesture towards enhanced U.S. relations with Cuba, stemming from the designer’s Cuban-American heritage. Other speculators projected that Obama would lean towards African American designer Tracy Reese or Chicago designer Maria Pinto.
While multiple designers stitched and sketched potential inauguration outfits, Obama ultimately decided to stay mum about her clothing decisions until the morning of the inauguration. Although Obama explained that her decision was made in hopes of detracting media focus from fashion choice, her tight-lipped styling only seemed to fuel the fire.
The seemingly mysterious approach drew more attention than expected to her then-unannounced inaugural wear. Fashion news mogul Women’s Wear Daily capitalized on the uncertainty of the then-first-lady-elect’s wardrobe by running a feature titled “Michelle Obama: What should she wear?” In it, thirty-five designers showcased their artistic designs for Michelle Obama’s inaugural gown.
several sketches from WWD's Michelle Obama feature
The dresses featured a diverse range of cuts and style–some more Martha Washington than modern woman–yet they were each imagined as an encapsulation of the visions set forth by President Obama. With change in the stitches, progress in the folds, and hope in the hemline, the vying designers attempted to depict both history and the symbolic nature of the event on the broad shoulders of Michelle Obama.
However, the notion of one dress’s significance is not that laughable of a presumption. Not only will her inaugural gown be donated to the Smithsonian to join the ranks of other first-lady garb, her past fashion history makes it likely that the dress choice will send shockwaves to the fashion world that will reverberate down to the masses.
Obama has, after all, evolved into the new face of modern American fashion. As she stepped further into the limelight as President Obama’s presidency loomed, Mrs. Obama’s signature looks have been increasingly praised and emulated and her more stunning outfits have sold-out in stores within minutes of her being photographed in them.
the Isabella Toledo dress & sheath
Already, customers at Barneys New York are inquiring about the Isabel Toledo coat and dress Obama wore during the inauguration ceremonies. Although not set to appear in store until March–and listed around $1,500–there is a steadily growing list of interested buyers. According to the designer, the outfit itself was intended to evoke more than just fashion: the lemongrass color represented fresh optimism and captured Obama’s lively character.
Some fans of the modern elegance and streamlined style found in her signature look go so far as to hail the always-chic Obama as a potential savior for the currently floundering state of American fashion. So, as Michelle Obama emerged on the first inaugural stage of her long evening, she did so in one of the most anticipated pieces that the Hill–and perhaps the modern fashion world itself–had ever witnessed.
No other first lady had experienced such a large following of those with high expectations, partly as a product of the easily accessed updates of campaign images and partly as a product of Obama’s captivating and powerful self-image and poise. Throughout the election, her steady stream of style-savvy choices stood in stark contrast to the other fashion faux-paus being committed by the powerful women of Washington and exhumed by the media: a current dearth of stiff pant-suit combos and thousand-dollar shopping whims now seems a refreshing change.
Despite all of the fashion-forward couture designs previously imagined, Obama ultimately went for a traditional, white first-lady gown stitched by Jason Wu. The relatively unknown designer crafted the gown in a subtle homage to other snowy-hued inaugural dresses–worn by first ladies such as Laura Bush, Nancy Reagan, Jacqueline Kennedy and even Mary Todd Lincoln–all symbolic of past presidential histories and the allure of the clean slate of a new presidential era.
Fashion-followers, particularly those from the online blogosphere, have keyed in on style similarities between Obama and Kennedy. From their strong sense of taste in style to their young, progressive husbands, it is hard not to.
The comparisons may be inevitable–but they are inaccurate. To posit Obama as a modern Cinderella amidst the Camelot of the 21st century goes against all that the fierce Harvard Law Grad, Renaissance woman of Chicago, and now first-lady of the United States has proven herself to embody and to be capable achieving during her own term in the White House.
The comparisons fail to account for the every-woman approach Obama has taken in her personal fashion and in her approach to conducting life at the White House from the first lady perspective. Unlike Kennedy and her strong taste for pricey designers, Obama will not be remembered by later generations as just a pop-icon for style and elegance.
Instead, Obama cultivates her personality and her image - a strong, unique, vivacious one-as something with which the American public can easily identify, wearing her individuality on her sleeve, not only in her actions and promises, but in her everyday wear as she mixes her wardrobe arsenal with a mix of high and low. From off-the-rack White House Black Market and J.Crew to higher-end Thakoon and Isabel Toleda, Obama continues to prove herself to be more than just a mannequin or side kick to President Barack Obama. She stands with poise both as a mother and as an active participant and collaborator in this new presidential era.
Although compelling, this image and hype of Michelle as a fashion icon–when compared with her reality as both a successful career woman and mother–miscasts Obama as a one-dimensional and unengaged first lady of the new administration. While it doesn’t hurt to lust after a fashion choice or two on occasion, we must remember that it is who wears the clothes, rather than who designed them, that ultimately makes headlines.
