Simon Doonan is never one to fear going against the grain. He was certainly going against the grain when, a few months ago, he said he didn't think Michelle Obama's style was "chic." Cue the audible gasps! But, Michelle seems to have won him over, after all. In a recent interview with New Republic about his forthcoming book Asylum, Doonan explained his previous comment:
Alfred Fiandaca, known for dressing Ann Romney for much of the Presidential race, has passed away at age 72.
From Michelle Obama's flawless style and support of young designers to the fashion industry's fundraising efforts, this has easily been the most fashiony election season of all time. In fact, the fashion industry is seen as playing a vital role in this election. But, we're not just talking about designers' hefty donations and Anna Wintour-hosted dinners. For instance, there was that time Ann Romney wore a $900 Reed Krakoff shirt and who could forget Cathy Horyn attacking Paul Ryan for wearing an ill-fitted jacket? As ballots continue to be cast and counted, let us take a look back at the biggest fashion stories to come out of the 2012 presidential election, which will soon, finally, come to an end.
Today is Election Day, and while some people keep their political opinions to themselves, others wear their loyalties proudly on their sleeves. Or rather, on their nails. Nail art was a big hit at the Olympics this past summer, and the trend of supporting your team seems to be carrying over into politics. Celebs like Katy Perry haven't been shy about stumping for Obama via their fingertips, and lots of regular citizens are following suit.
Back in September, Mitt Romney caught some flack when he appeared at a Univision event with a very, very, tan face. Some speculated as to whether Mittens had fake baked. The Univision makeup artist, Lazz Rodriguez, later defended his honor by saying that he used a little bit of powder on the candidate, but that Romney's tan was au natural. Or was it?
Kenzo and Maison Kitsune will be the next guest designers at Pitti Uomo and Pitti W, respectively. {WWD, subscription required} Taylor Swift and boyfriend Conor Kennedy have reportedly split, which is a bummer for them, but it can only mean another awesome breakup anthem for us to jam out to. {Us Weekly} Oh look: Lady Gaga is crawling out of a giant mouth in this editorial for Harper's Bazaar Spain, shot by Steven Klein. {ONTD} Every year Heidi Klum goes all out for Halloween, and this year she's giving us a look at how it gets done. Take a peek at this video of her not-quite-finished Cleopatra costume. {AOL}
That's it. Last night marked the third and final presidential debate. Which, for us, means it's our last chance to compare and analyze Michelle Obama and Ann Romney's outfits as if they were in a show down. But if the President won last night's debate it's harder to declare a sartorial winner between the wives.
Ann Romney has all the makings of a political wife fashion icon: She's pretty, she's blonde and, unlike past aspiring first ladies, she has at least a passing interesting in fashion. She's worn new and established designers (Reed Krakoff, Oscar de la Renta, respectively) as well as contemporary cool brand J.Brand, and we think she always manages to look pretty great (if conservative). But despite all this, the fashion industry is noticeably cooler towards Romney. We receive press release upon press release about Michelle's campaign wardrobe. It's become a major coup for a designer to dress Michelle Obama. But we've yet to receive one--one--about Ann Romney's.
We've already discussed Michelle Obama and Ann Romney's shocking Schiaparelli pink outfits at last night's Presidential debate. So let's get to the men, shall we? For the latest installment in our series of GChat conversations with Current TV's Jo Piazza, in which we glibly analyze the candidates' style and what it all means, we tackle: Last night's ties. The President wore Republican red, Mitt Romney wore Democratic blue. What does it all mean? Let's open our binders, shall we?
For most of the campaign trail, Ann Romney has worn designs by a little-known (until now) Boston-based designer named Alfred Fiandaca. While most designers would jump at the chance to make the most of the publicity, Fiandaca wasn't really known as the man behind Romney's frocks until recently, and has only just granted his first interview to WWD. Fiandaca seems like a really nice, refreshingly un-media-trained guy, and the interview sheds light on Romney's style philosophy, her preference for American designers (something she has in common with Michelle Obama), and how, um, Mitt Romney sometimes picks out Ann's outfits. Here's what we learned:
That other royal hottie, Prince Harry, makes his cover debut on Tatler. The often-scandalous prince has been dubbed their "Man of the Year." {HuffPo} New Yorkers, were you tired of those drab yellow MTA subway tickets? No longer: the Gap is the first company to buy front-of-ticket adspace. Bonus: it's also a coupon! {Observer} From Biden's hair to Romney's "tan"--here's how the candidates get their game faces on. {BuzzFeed}
Last night at the first presidential debate, we got to see the candidates--and their wives--in the same room at the same time for the first time ever. While we will leave the discussion of who "won" the debate to the pundits, we think we're more than qualified to weigh in on some of the fashion choices happening last night.
Kristen Stewart just landed her first Vogue UK cover. She wears a bra, talks about being clumsy, and does not mention R.Patz. {HuffPost} Opening Cere
Mitt Romney's recently-appointed running mate Paul Ryan's sartorial choices are the subject of more than just casual GChat discussions. They're the su
Mitt Romney has named his running mate and it's Rep. Paul Ryan. If you want to read about what it all means and why he picked him you're in the wron
Anna Wintour has always been an Obama supporter (she donated $10K to Democratic White House Victory Fund in 2008) but to say she's ramped up her support for Obama's 2012 reelection campaign would be an understatement. She's one of Obama's top tier bundlers, which means she's raised over $500,000 for the reelection campaign. She put together Runway to Win, a project in which she recruited big name designers (many of whom Michelle Obama has worn) to create items to be sold on the campaign website. Wintour will head to Chicago on June 12 for a "Runway to Win" fundraiser (she hosted one in NYC back in February, too). And, in perhaps her most visible move in support of Obama, last week Wintour was the subject of a campaign video announcing a contest for potential donors to win the chance to dine with her, Sarah Jessica Parker, and the First Couple at a June 14 fundraiser. A few days later, one of those chatty, casual, Obama emails landed in our inboxes with Anna Wintour's name as the sender. "I don't do this sort of thing often -- get involved with politics, that is," the email reads. "But I'm doing everything I can to support President Obama this summer and fall because it's important that we all do. Nights in New York like this one are a happy side benefit." That video was met with immediate backlash.
Made in Brazil #5 is launching this week and Models.com has a sneak peek. There's a 30 page spread styled by Brad Goreski featuring 5 Brazilian male models, including Rodrigo Braga, who will appear in Givenchy's fall campaign. Yum. {Models.com} The Kardashian-Jenner clan have released a new "music video" set to "Hypnotize" by Notorious B.I.G., filmed on a yacht in the Dominican Republic. It is, as with all things Kardashian, the pinnacle of klass and decorum. {MTV} Drew Barrymore got married this past weekend in a Chanel pleated gown with a black belt. Which makes sense since her father in law was the CEO of Chanel. {E!} Helmut Newton is the focus of an upcoming photography exhibit at The Williamson Gallery of the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. Three former protégés are the subject and co-curators of “Three Boys From Pasadena: A Tribute to Helmut Newton,” to open June 14. {WWD} A comprehensive guide to campaign fashion, including "ironic" Mitt Romney tees courtesy of Urban Outfitters. {Current.com}