By Dr. Yakini
Congratulations to Senator Barack Obama for becoming the Democratic Nominee for President! Of course, behind every great man is a fantastic woman. Mrs. Obama has been influential, not only in the political realm, but across the fashion scene as well. Today Girly Home Webzine® celebrates Mrs. Obama's fabulous fashion sense, from day to evening, through a collection of my favorite images of our presumptive first lady.
Lady Obama is fabulous in more ways than one! In addition to being a naturally strong and confident woman who holds degrees from Princeton and Harvard Law School, she has also been hailed as the modern day, black Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. She is a striking image of femininity whose intelligence and savvy have put gloss and backbone into her husband’s bid for the White House. Writes the New York Daily News, “Like it or lump it, the personal style of each candidate’s wife has become an important part in establishing individuality, likability, and power."
Mrs. Obama is a sophisticated woman who embraces life with an unfettered sense of 'joie de vivre'. This is evidenced by the fun she has with fashion, making varied apparel choices that signal this woman never sees anything in life as constant. That’s change! And that is the essence of what fashion, and politics, is all about.
Vanity Fair’s style connoisseurs deemed Mrs. Obama ready for the crown of the world’s best-dressed woman for her ensemble of a Maria Pinto purple shift, with a black Azzedine Alaïa belt, worn when her husband claimed the Democratic presidential nomination on June 3, 2008. “She’s our commander in sheath,” the magazine said.
Michelle Obama stands on stage, in a gorgeous turquoise, three-quarter-sleeve, 50's inspired sheath in double-faced wool, with her daughters Malia and Sasha during day one of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the Pepsi Center August 25, 2008 in Denver, Colorado. The pendant is not part of this design but taken from Lady Obama's own jewelry collection.
Presumptive Democratic Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama and Mrs. Obama walk off the campaign plane August 23, 2008 in Springfield, Illinois. Obama is on his way to campaign with his vice presidential pick Sen. Joe Biden. Once again, Mrs. Obama is fabulous in a floral, lavender faux wrap knit dress.
Senator and Lady Obama, in a floral Radzimir kimono dress, after he accepted the Democratic Party's invitation to become its Nominee for President on August 28, 2008. The dress is part of New York designer, Thakoon Panichgul's, Spring 2009 collection.
When Mrs Obama appeared on the popular US daytime talk show, The View, wearing this black and white Donna Ricco dress from White House/Black Market that retails at $148, the sundress sold out overnight and made the designer a household name.
Classic, classic, classic seems to be Lady Obama's motto, pictured here with husband Barack in an orange shift and signature pearls.
Michelle Obama takes the stage in bold horizontal stripes when addressing about 900 people at the National Partnership for Women and Families annual luncheon June 20, 2008 in Washington, DC. Obama expressed her support for the organization and talked about the challenges of being a working mother.
A tribute to Jackie O? Lady Obama sports a vintage-style round collar at a benefit luncheon held at the New York Historical Society on June 26, 2007.
Mrs. Obama pairs her standard oversized pearls with a red, puffed-sleeve jacket on Super Tuesday in Chicago.
Known for mixing high with low and classics with trends, Lady Obama solidified her fashionista status when she was recently seen in one of fall's hottest trends: ruffles: Sporting a ruffle front Maria Pinto blouse, Mrs. Obama looked like she could have walked directly off the runway at Bill Blass, Moschino, Erdem or even Lanvin, where ruffles were all the rage for Fall 2008.
Mrs. Obama is simply stunning in winter white during a Vanity Fair magazine shoot for a piece on the Obama campaign in 2007.
Mrs. Obama pictured above in black and white with her signature, black Azzedine Alaïa belt.
Lady Obama's penchant for belts was again on display at the Waldorf Astoria in June 2008.
Mrs. Obama proves to us that a classic houndstooth print never goes out of fashion.
A fan of skirt suits, Mrs. Obama introduces her husband at a campaign appearance in Manhattan in March. This classic, pin striped ensemble features a nipped-in waist.
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama celebrating his victory in the South Carolina primary in January 2008 with Lady Obama, pretty in pink, by his side.
Mrs. Obama applauds at the Apostolic Church of God in Chicago on June 15, 2008, looking very "Breakfast at Tiffany's," in a classic A-line dress and matching cardigan.
Michelle works the crowd in khakis at a February rally in Los Angeles.
Mrs. Obama accessorized with both a belt and pearls at a Hollywood fund-raiser in February. With Mrs. Obama is Jennifer Aniston. At left is Morgan Freeman.
With her 5'11" statuesque height, Mrs. Obama becomes resplendent in the evening. Presumptive Democratic Presidential candidate Senator and Lady Obama for an elegant evening out.
At a Chicago charity event in 2005
Mrs. Obama is simply lovely in a light blue, satin sheath with her brother, Craig Robinson, at a charity event in 2007.
The Obamas enjoying the 36th NAACP Image Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, CA on March 19, 2005.
Lady Obama in a striking azure halter dress at a fund-raiser hosted by Oprah Winfrey. At right are hip-hop mogul/entrepreneur, Percy Miller, and the always stunning Oprah Winfrey.
Mrs. Obama accessorized her asymmetrical gown with layers of silver necklaces at a fund-raiser for her husband, held at Calvin Klein's New York home on June 17, 2008.
Maria Pinto (left) is the woman behind many of the possible First Lady's signature looks. The bell sleeves, the tailored suits, the simple color palettes, all created by a Chicago-based designer who will open her first boutique in the "windy city," June 2008 according to blog "Runway to Retail."
Tom Julian, president of a New York City-based brand consultancy, laments, "I'd put her in an Oprah sphere in terms of influence." Julian predicted that Mrs. Obama will change the face of political fashion in that she could be the first first lady to wear both high and low-end fashion. It turns out it may not only be time for a political change, it may also be time for a change of clothes when it comes to first ladies.
She will bring affordable American sportswear to the forefront, and this is very appealing to the Middle American woman voter. She's modern–-a boomer, a woman of color with a real shape. It will be interesting what she picks as a signature piece, and I predict that it will be in the sportswear realm." Julian also says he would not be surprised to see her embrace some black designers such as Kevan Hall and Tracy Reese, to tell a modern American fashion story during the upcoming election.
Dr. Yakini is a clinical psychologist and freelance lifestyle writer living in Brooklyn, NY. She owns and edits Girly Home Webzine®, the online magazine for ladies living siddity in the city.
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Dr. Yakini, This was a great post. I loved it.
Posted by: Ananda Leeke | August 29, 2008 at 11:53 PM