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All About Michelle's Designer
The designer who made the First Lady’s inauguration day dress has been an underground fashion world darling for decades. Those days are over.
Not long after Michelle Obama debuted her lemongrass Isabel Toledo dress at Tuesday’s inaugural ceremony, the designer’s computer crashed.
“We are still overwhelmed with this blessing!,” Toledo told The Daily Beast via email. “So many emails!” And that’s not the only way the designer’s life will change—Barneys has announced plans to make her Spring 2009 collection in stores as soon as possible, and where Toledo only sold her clothes in a few select locations before the ceremony, one expects the demand for her work to greatly increase. Every outfit that Michelle Obama wears has sold out of stores (the Narcisco Rodriguez dress from election night, her Maria Pinto clothes, the J.Crew gloves), and rocketed previously underground fashion names into bright lights. Now it’s Toledo’s turn.
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“It’s not about the dress,” she says. “It’s the emotion of the moment and the color-texture of the wool lace really transmits the luminosity and light from the confident and giving woman beneath it. The color is gentle, not strong but that’s just the point—color and beauty are in the eye of the beholder and open to many interpretations!”
“Any designer worth their salt, from Nicolas Ghesquiere of Balenciaga to Alber Elbaz of Lanvin, they all bow down to her. She’s the designer’s designer.”
For me, Michelle’s inauguration dress and its designer symbolized the sentiment of the day: a culmination of passion, determination and a brightness in vision, qualities I admire both about Isabel and Ruben Toledo and the Obamas alike. There were so many reasons to be deeply moved that day, but that the seemingly trivial question of “but what did she wear?” could be answered with someone like Isabel Toledo, a woman who exemplifies the height of American design and fervent creativity, well, that clinched it.
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magicspin
Ah, Isabel, wonderful work, indeed! My first impression of the outfit was "Wow, how delightfully refreshing a way to do dress-ups with the First Gal..." With tough assignment guidelines(the need for great warmth, comfort & style befitting a princess-becoming-queen, what a bang-up job you've done.
And the Kermit gloves to match...!
All power to you.
And to the very special woman who's inspiring more than better dress sense...
ps. And we get a designer with real hips designing for a First Lady with real hips! Truly our Nation is blessed...!
ColorBox
I did not like this ensemble at all. It reminded me of something my grandma would were. It was waaaaaay too matronly. It also was not warm enough for DC in January. I was struck by how comfy Obama looked in his overcoat, socks and shoes while walking the parade route and Michele kept trying to keep her jacket closed. She must have been freezing! Bad choice for the weather and someone her age. I give it a total thumbs down.
ColorBox
I meant my grandma would "wear". Sorry.
emperorsnewclothes
Michelle Obama needs a stylist stat! Almost every choice in ensembles has been note worthy not because they were hip now and wow but more along the line of what was she thinking. I think the fashionistas have been to loathe to say what they really think about the choices because of the ground swell of worship for the Obamas who I support whole heartedly. The Emperor's New Clothes is definitely in play.
magicspin
Dear ColorBox & empsnewclobber
Get wear (!) you're coming from, Girls. But hey, woulda thought our FeistyFashionistas coulda extended Ms Matron 2009 some lat(itude) stat, despite your unimpeachable Ensemble Assembly Sense! (Grin)
The wow factor for me was particularly on color choice (doing it freshly & originally her way), then outfit as a whole. On the weather suitability front, have to admit this AussieBoy's never had a breeze up his skirt, Potomac or otherwise...(Ok, there was those panto shows!). What would I know?!
So, FrockUp CockUp? Maybe to some. Thank God the Bill of Rights allows for Freedom of Ensembly! You go, Girlfriend!
audbender
Yes..designers and critics don't speak up because we don't want to say anything negative about the Obamas....but it must be said..the lady needs help, a good stylist to review her wardrobe and suggest a new one. Of course, the disastrous election night "what's burning?" dress is out, as is the inauguration unbelievable choice--which has suggested either a chenille bedspread, kitchen curtains or a shower curtain by a substantial number of commentators. Help wanted..and soon.
jspark
The parade outfit looked warm enough to me. It was a daring color choice. However for the inauguration balls why oh why did she pick that dress? It looked like it was made from toilet paper. She is so beautiful, I felt like she could have done a lot better.
tomfarr
Good grief! Was that outfit inspired by Slumdog Millionaire?
All that's missing is a caste mark.
duchess5
This poor woman,though loved by the President is ugly!No matter what she chooses to wear,.Her hips are wide,her legs are bowed,herankles are thick,her .breasts are small her jaw is lantern in shape..
No matter how many of you tell and report how beautifull she is,we all know what BEAUTIFULL is and she ain;t it!.
ArielAZ
Somebody, please channel Oleg Cassini for our clueless Michelle.
southred8
Ladies, ladies Michelle's dress for the day was inspiring, suitable for the day, her age and the festvities.Although I did not love the evening gown it was appropriate, beautifully made and it was the first lady's choice.We have needed some fashion in the white house as well as a woman with brains, dash and female power.Be kind, gracious and enjoy the parade!
Thank you.
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