“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…You don’t go to Buckingham Palace in a sweater.” — Oscar De La Renta whining in WWD because the First Lady doesn’t wear his clothes.
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posted by chicprepster513
Apr 03, 2009 3:58PM
who cares who the designer is...as long as she looks good..
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posted by hipstersdontlie
Apr 03, 2009 5:06PM
she wore junya...repeat SHE WORE JUNYA!! how amazing!
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posted by guest
Apr 03, 2009 7:38PM
Just a correction to the above comments: while she did wear Watanabe, it was not to Buckingham Palace but to a semi-surprise appearance at a all-girls inner city school.
Having said that, Oscar, don't become the bitter old angry man. Just don't. It's not appealing.
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posted by guest
Apr 04, 2009 12:31AM
De La Renta is emblematic of the growing undercurrent of haute pissyness because the First Lady does not rely directly on a fashion designer to sculpt her look, as has been De La Renta's role with past First Ladies and Cindy McCain.
WWD ran an article on Ikram Goldman a while back, and the same big fashion designers were griping about how much "power" Goldman had over what Michelle Obama wears -- and if I remember correctly, one of the designers called Goldman a stylist, when she actually is an accomplished business woman.
I'm tired of people criticizing Michelle over the skin color/ethnic descent of the designers she wears, or if the designers she wears vacation in the Hamptons and Gstaad, or whether she gets fashion advice from a trusted retailer and friend -- she is supporting AMERICAN design in a way that is accessible to all women no matter what size or bank account. Mrs. Obama gets it: it's about how the fashion and textile industry in the United States survives as a "we" and not just how De La Renta (or anyone else) increases his bottom line.
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posted by guest
Apr 04, 2009 3:20AM
I love that she wears little known or cult designers, but her outfit for meeting the queen was completely inappropriate. She could have at least worn a jacket! Not just a plain black sweater. And then for the group photo she took off the sweater. While it was an Isabel Toledo dress, it appeared to be a white tank top and black skirt, and it looked so casual and inappropriate for Buckingham Palace. It's what I wear to work when I am lazy.
I do love her style in general, but I'm really starting to wish she would just wear some sleeves.
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posted by guest
Apr 04, 2009 3:26PM
In every photograph I've seen of Michelle Obama standing beside the Queen, her sweater looks like it had just been, literally, thrown on - and in a bad way. The collar was all askew... and it.just.looked.sloppy.
Which is probably just one of the reasons as to why Oscar's complaining:
a) The sweater was unpractical, since she kept taking it off during the day, which in itself is a bad move, because you risk knowing what you look like. In which case a jacket - perhaps with 3/4 length sleeves if she really had an issue with the temperature - would have been much more sensible.
b) The way we do things here in North America differ entirely from the way they do things across the pond. For one, they still operate under monarchies and aristocracies...
@17 - being "elitist" would like be speaking their language.
There are just certain standards you have to uphold, even as a politician's spouse (think Carla), and especially when visiting, oh, you know, The Queen.
Failure to realise that just shows inexperience and a lack of respect.
In this case, Oscar de la Renta isn't just a designer name.
It's a standard.
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posted by guest
Apr 04, 2009 5:07PM
PLEASE ! DESIGNERS get over yourselves I cant believe the entitelment from Osacar and Donna Karan. Michelle Obama can wear what ever she pleases she is the first lady and I know that your bummed at the free publicity the designers are getting when Michelle Obama is wearing them. You know even a 5 spread in Vogue couldnt acompish what Michelle did when her photo goes all around the world and also reaching people who are not really into Fashion.
Its just smells like jealousy to me or should I say envy????
Michelle can do whatever the f*ck she please she could be strutting around in target and still look fabulous.
and @ 19 Im from Europe and we love the Obama's THEY can do no wrong. Oscar, Karan and the likes with these pety behaviour can however.
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posted by guest
Apr 04, 2009 7:30PM
She should wore Rodarte!!! Just kidding, but it would be awesome if she did. I like the rest of her outfits in London except the Buckingham Palace one. It was very casual and she should worn a hat. Hell, she could borrowed one from Aretha. I hated the floral coat she wore in France. It was something I would of never expected her to wear so it gets surprise points though.
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posted by guest
Apr 05, 2009 4:57AM
blah blah blah about "standards"
#19 no disrespect, I would have agreed with you not too long ago.
But times have changed, and Michelle acknowledges that (with her lowly JCrew, Alaia, and Junya sweaters).
I love you Oscar de la Renta, but one day (soon?) we'll look back and laugh at your opinions. Not because you are old, but because so-called "appropriateness" has changed ... and you haven't.
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posted by etoilee8
Apr 06, 2009 2:30AM
Guest 19, Michelle Obama is not "a standard", she's an American original and like Jac she's one of the only female heroes I really admire. I love the fact that she didn't buy into all the classism that surrounds the royal family. I don't think she meant to show any disrespect she just behaved as she would around any other human being. And I love her more and more for it every minute.
Sour grapes Oscar. . .
posted by guest
Apr 03, 2009 2:49PM
He needs to get over himself. Because if she would've worn some expensive get up, the world would be complaining how she has on a $1,500 outfit when we're in an economic recession!
Either way, people will have something to say about what she wears, I'm just surprised that he would make a comment like that.