Yesterday I attended the Sunday with the Magazine panel discussion with The New York Times fashion critic Cathy Horyn as moderator.  The discussion centered on First Lady, Michelle Obama and her fashion choices.  The panelists were fashion designers Narciso Rodriguez, Maria Cornejo, and Thakoon.  All of whom have dressed the First Lady. 

It was refreshing to hear the designers speak openly and frankly about issues, or stories we’ve all been talking about on blogs.  One topic in particular centered on the criticism of Michelle Obama by well-established designers about her clothing and designer choices.  On this topic, they were extremely vocal and did not hide their displeasure.  The consensus among them was that the First Lady has ushered in a new era, and her process of selecting designers to dress her is far more democratic now than in the past.

The audience was also made privy to little facts that were not widely known.  For instance, Thakoon shared the story behind the pink dress and matching coat worn by Michelle Obama in France at her meeting with Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.  Apparently the dress was commissioned in anticipation of Inaugural Day, but it was too cold to wear it.  We all know that she wore a yellow Isabel Toledo dress and coat instead and it was suitably lined.  Thakoon said in hind sight, he would have lined the dress with a warmer fabric. 

When asked by Ms. Horyn if they have noticed an increase in sales since the First Lady started wearing their designs, they each answered that it was hard to quantify sales specifically tied to Michelle Obama.  However, they stressed that publicity gained from the First Lady’s patronage could only benefit their businesses.

We have been inundated with news of the global recession and now, Swine-Flu. Sometimes we all need a little diversion from reality. Here’s a video from Newsweek that has been edited to feature Michelle Obama as a contestant on America’s Next Top Model, or as they call it, America’s Next Top Superfirstlady.  It gave me the biggest chuckle.  Each time I view it I find myself laughing at the absurdity, but I am mostly surprised at Newsweek’s great sense of humor.  Hopefully you will find it amusing as well.  You need not be a follower a Tyra Bank’s hit, America’s Next Top Model to appreciate the hilarity.

Here’s a video of fashion designer Brian Reyes from New York Fashion Week Fall 2009 as he talks fashion, the economy, and Michelle Obama.  He is pleased with The First Lady’s decision to embrace young designers, and would welcome the opportunity to dress her.  It is refreshing to hear from a young designer, and to get his take on Michelle Obama’s fashion selections.

Yesterday we discussed Michelle Obama’s positive impact on J. Crew’s stock price, the retail industry, and the economy.  Today it was revealed that another fashion designer, Arnold Scassi, takes issue with the First Lady’s wardrobe choices.  He suggests that she should pick a few designers and work with them exclusively.  I wonder if he would be interested in being one of the selected few.  Should Mrs. Obama take Mr. Scaasi’s suggestion, she would end up excluding so many young and talented designers.  Mr. Scaasi has had the privilege of dressing other First Ladies for decades.  It is time to share that honor.

Michelle Obama breathes new life into a system that was getting stale.  The global economy is in a tail spin, including the fashion industry.  Now is not the time for the First Lady to prop up a few well-established designers, at the expense of new talent.  It’s time to step out of the box and bring back excitement to fashion.  Michelle Obama’s approach to her fashion selection is just what the industry needs.  Every talented designer has the chance to dress the First Lady, and that’s the way it’s supposed to be.  A return to the old ways would be unthinkable. [The Cut] via [British Vogue]

Related Post: The First Lady and J. Crew

Here is incontrovertible proof that the First Lady’s fashion choices do have an impact on the bottom line of the fashion companies she chooses to wear.  Her wardrobe selection goes beyond the aesthetic value, it now affects stock prices.  According to a Bloomberg Television report, which can be viewed in this video below, J. Crew’s stock price has increased by almost 80% since Inauguration Day.  The First Lady has worn J. Crew on the Tonight Show, pages of Vogue and abroad in London.  To state the obvious, Michelle Obama is good for the retail industry and the economy.

Related Post: The First Lady’s Critics

The First Lady was the subject of our Rollcall list yesterday in Michelle Obama’s Overseas Style.  Her fashion choices while on the world stage have been the talk of the town over the last two weeks.  The three selected looks were:

• A. Azzedine Alaia- Black dress at NATO Dinner;
• B. Junya Watanabe/Jason Wu- Teal sweater and dress at school in London; and
• C. Thakoon- Fuchsia dress in Germany.

All of these looks elicited much conversation and debate.  The two to move on to the Showdown are the Azzedine Alaia black dress worn at the NATO dinner, and the Junya Watanabe/Jason Wu teal cardigan and dress combination. 

The winner of this Showdown is the Junya Watanabe/Jason Wu look.  Many people had a visceral reaction to the sweater.  They either praised it or panned it, but it was the perfect choice for a visit to a school of young girls.  She was warm and approachable, and her style of dress conveyed that as well.  Mrs. Obama was so relaxed and self assured at the school that she won us over.  Take another view of Michelle Obama in that much talked about teal sweater and dress combination at Shop Talk and you will see why this is a Showdown favorite.

Fashion Rollcall selected three looks sported by Michelle Obama during the G20 visit in Europe for its Rollcall list.  Her fashion choices generated much conversation in the media, and on many fashion blogs.  Each look had its admirers and detractors.  Two will move on to the Showdown on Friday.  You can view the photos by clicking the link of each designer’s name.  The selected looks and designers are:

• A. Azzedine Alaia- Black dress at NATO Dinner;
• B. Junya Watanabe/Jason Wu- Teal sweater and dress at school in London; and
• C. Thakoon- Fuchsia dress in Germany.

Related Post: Her Style Showdown

“American fashion right now is struggling,” says Oscar de la Renta. “I think I understand what [Obama and her advisers] are doing, but I don’t think that is the right message at this particular point….I don’t object to the fact that Mrs. Obama is wearing J. Crew to whatever because the diversity of America is what makes this country great. But there are a lot of great designers out there. I think it’s wrong to go in one direction only.”

The reverberations of this quote have been felt throughout the fashion world.  Fashion blogs are abuzz with comments.  Some are in agreement with Mr. de la Renta, others voice strong dissent.  The dissenters argue that Mr. de la Renta had the privilege of dressing First Ladies from Nancy Reagan to Laura Bush, and should allow the newer designers to have their day. 

The First Lady has become a fashion icon, and many designers are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to dress her.  Whether it’s a wise strategy to publicly scold Michelle Obama about her fashion choices remains to be seen.  A better approach may be to graciously await the call.  She has been the First Lady for less than three months; she will wear designs by many American designers throughout the four years, including Mr. de la Renta.  The best course of action in this instance is for the designers to acknowledge the age old adage that ’patience is a virtue’. 

Dressing Michelle: Major Designers Wait for First Lady’s Call [WWD]

Oscar de la Renta Slams Michelle Obama’s Fashion Choices [The Cut]

Yesterday’s post Luxury For Less caused me to think about the fashion industry and its outlook for the near future.  There will be many changes, but will they be permanent?  Can they last beyond the economic recovery?

A drop in prices will be the biggest change of all.  Lower prices will be favorable to the consumer, but it will chisel away at the bottom-line of many fashion designers.  It should come as no surprise that some designers are reluctant to lower prices, and understandably so.  We as a global community have enjoyed much luxury and excess for over a decade, and it was expected to stay that way forever.  Who knew?

The industry as a whole is in need of assistance, and our First Lady, Michelle Obama is doing her part.  Her fashion choices have been the subject of much discussion.  She wields an influence on fashion that is seldom matched.  Can her influence translate into an increase in sales?  That is the likely goal of both the First Lady and the designers who dress her.  Michelle Obama has made a concerted effort to wear clothing by American designers; this is her contribution to an industry that has seen better days.   

Lower prices were almost unheard of a decade ago.  Yet today it is an economic reality for some designers.  Others have decided to maintain their price points, a likely attempt to preserve their luster.  They are each taking calculated risks.  In time we will learn which of these strategies emerge victorious.   

Photos of Michelle Obama and her fashion choices abroad can be viewed at On the Runway.  On the Runway, by Cathy Horyn also has a related story on retail fashion and their current price points.