The Michelle Obama Fashion Retrospective, part IISecrets to Michelle's unique fashions REVEALED! (Courtesy of Snob reader Sandra W. and the Wall Street Journal)
Her name is Maria Pinto (pictured with Michelle above) and she 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."The shop is to be located in the West Loop at 133 N. Jefferson St., neighboring Sepia restaurant. I write this because A LOT of blog traffic has come my way by people desperate to read more about Michelle and her clothes. I thought I was the only one curious, but apparently the chic, simple look Michelle's rocking has folks clamoring for her clothes. So once I got a name it was easy to find out everything you ever wanted know now about the clothes Michelle rocks and the woman behind the designs.
Pinto described her style in Chicago Magazine as, "Feminine with some punch. My signature look for day is always a crazy combination of a great lace skirt or a laser-cut leather skirt, a Diesel T-shirt, and always an inspiring piece of jewelry. This combination lifts my spirits, has comfort and fantasy, and gets me through my day."
Writes Runway to Retail:
Pinto's luxurious designs have been a mainstay on Chicago's elite, including Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama, the stylish wife of presidential hopeful Barack Obama, who is often photographed in a Maria Pinto design. Now shoppers will be able to have access to her beautiful ready-to-wear collection with an inviting new shopping experience. “The store will be a natural extension of my atelier,” said Maria Pinto. “My collections are known for well-edited luxury; each garment incorporates innovative materials and sophisticated tailoring from beginning to end. This attention to detail will be reflected in the environment of the retail space from the moment a client walks through the door.”
Boy. Makes me wish I was rich. And I wonder, did Oprah hip Michelle to Pinto? The mind reels at the notion. But it would make sense. A First Lady prospect needs to look her best and Oprah's unabashedly pro-Obama, and it's likely she was pro-Obama long before Obamamania was new and may have slipped Michelle a card.
Here's a sampling of Pinto's spring collection. The designer's style should feel highly familiar to all Michelle Obama watchers.
And now for another look at Michelle Obama, dressing better than The Snob. (To see previous retrospective click here.)
The Fearless Fashionista
Afraid of wearing white? Most women are, but not Michelle Obama. She's fearless, donning white tons of time without concern which is mind-numbing considering she's the mother of two daughters who are probably quite "handsy" as they're still at that "mommy look what I made" sticky fingers age. But just like she's not afraid to go out on the stump for Barack, go to battle with his detractors (she's talking about you, Bill) or glare down her own tormentors, and that's you, Ms. Cindy McCain who blinked and hid the minute someone called you on your "proud of your country" slam. You weren't proud enough to man up on Michelle Obama, but I can't blame her. Michelle, as lovely as she is, looks like she would cut a bitch ... while wearing white.
First two pictures above from Vanity Fair magazine shoots for a piece on the Obama campaign in 2007.
Rocking the Stump
When you're out there Tammy Wynetting you're not just representing yourself, but a whole movement united behind your husband, future POTUS, the real David Palmer (only your spouse still wuvs you). So what do you wear? Lots of black belts, houndstooth, pinstripes, shirt dresses and conservative, but fashionable suits. Her closet must be crammed with clothes, although that black belt seems to be a favorite of hers. She's wearing it in three of the following nine photos.
The Night Time is the Right Time to Look Hotter Than Everyone Else
If you don't believe me that Michelle has her clothes skills on point, just get a look at her when she turns resplendent in the evening. The lights go low and the cameras start flashing and a star is born. With her 5'11" super model height she dares to straighten up and throw those shoulders back, announcing to the world, "Make way! The future First Lady has arrived!"
This pictures also cement that, dare I say it, Michelle and Barack are an amazingly good looking couple. I mean, seriously. One can only wish for that level of intelligence and hotness in one relationship.
If you don't believe me that Michelle has her clothes skills on point, just get a look at her when she turns resplendent in the evening. The lights go low and the cameras start flashing and a star is born. With her 5'11" super model height she dares to straighten up and throw those shoulders back, announcing to the world, "Make way! The future First Lady has arrived!"
This pictures also cement that, dare I say it, Michelle and Barack are an amazingly good looking couple. I mean, seriously. One can only wish for that level of intelligence and hotness in one relationship.
At a Chicago charity event in 2005
At a BET event.
Michelle in a satin light blue with her brother Craig Robinson at a charity event in 2007
These are from 2007's NAACP Image Awards courtesy of Snob reader Nonie.
47 comments:
michelle obama is the classiest black woman in the public eye at the moment hands down. she's brilliant.
I LOVE her! --For both her style and her intellect. She represents us well. [I noticed the other night that one of the little ones was rocking a Burberry scarf with her little coat...]
I want her as First Lady so bad...it's ridiculous.
I LOVE HER!!
Yes, I drank Michelle Kool-Aid LONG before I came around to Barack.
Mrs. Obama aka FLOTUS (YEAAAAAAH!) got style to spare.
Yeah, I'm kind of a fan of Michelle too. She rocks. I'd be pushing for her to be president if her equally capable, handsome husband wasn't running.
Her level of awesomeness is beyond measurement and if she becomes First Lady, God willing, I will totally devote an even larger portion off my blog to Michelle Obama Watch. Michelle with WHOM! Michelle doing WHAT! Michelle WHERE! And of course, what is she wearing? How are the girls? Has she and Barack figured out a way to cure BET of the syphilis that went to the network's brain a long time ago?
I will be that kind of fan. I will want to know and report on these things.
and her doo is always soap opera tight
I love the way Barack looks at his wife. He looks like he's the luckiest guy in the world!
Yes she is sharp! The news has nothing to report: why not report on Michelle...but noooooooooo...she's beautiful, she's smart and stylish too boot....but nooooooooo...there is no news here: what's up with the media???
When she is first lady...maybe she'll inspire the fashion industry to get rid of the hoochieee clothes.
Lovin Michelle: my role model and sheroe.
Ummm I dont care how many designers try to dress her up, her face and hair look a shitty mess in some of those pictures. Truth.
She may be a low-maintenance makeup lady, but she is still beautiful in every shot.
This is a picture-perfect American family. I will be honored to see them in the White House. :)
I think she is a badddd sister girl. Tall and statuesque, brilliant, and still looks like she packs a SHANK....I loves it. I would take her as the first lady of my HOA.... she just brings it everytime. Gorgeous!
Okay seriously, for the past two weeks I have been searching and printing out picks of her style. It has the perfect (at least in my opinion) of professionalism and funk. I call it "classy chic". I am in the corporate world and I am in the stage (25 y/o) where I still want to be hip, but professional. I also love tailored preppy looks. Love the post!!!
Love, love Michelle and Michelle's clothes. Are you going to post a link to Maria Pinto's website?
Michelle Obama has such great style, the dress she wore this morning on the view I have as well. I got it at White House Black Market at the Atlas Park shopping center in Queens.
Thanks so much for the RunwaytoRetail.com shout out! Maria Pinto is an amazing designer and her website it www.mariapinto.com.
Thanks!
The RunwaytoRetail.com Team
Hello there!
I too loooove Michelle's wardrobe. It's perfect for her height and stature! Michelle shows that less is more.
Peace, blessings and DUNAMIS!
Lisa
You are invited to stop by my blog and share as often as you'd like! My door is always open!! (smiles)
I love all the clothes she's wearing in these photos but man, I didn't understand that dress she wore at the VP announcement in Springfield. No, no, no.
...but yes, she dresses better than me.
...but yes, she dresses better than me.
Help me somebody! Whose dress was Michelle O wearing last night (during Bill Clinton's speech)? I mean the dark blue one with the visible zipper (Narciso Rodriguez does those) and the big brooches around the neck. I want it! Whose is it, PLEASE??!!!
There's a new blog just about her fashion and where you can buy it:
http://www.mrs-o.org
I am a Barack Obama supporter but I am a Michelle Obama supporter also, separately.
She was his best kept secret. I am loving seeing her out there doing her thing too.
The Senator has been criticized for being somewhat aloof, but he appears far from aloof when Michelle is by his side. His demeanor changes. He looks and acts more relaxed. And the PDA's between these two have become must see TV.
That sounds a little shallow in such a serious time, but I have to tell you that after the Nashville debate the local debate party attendees were a buzz about these two not the debate itself. People were waiting with baited breath for the customary after debate hug, kiss and hand holding. Yes it sounds a little shallow but in these tough times and with the nasty turn the election campaigning has taken these two are making people smile. Lord knows we need that.
Isn't it nice that she can dress so white and not get called out for it. She will make a great house negro in Washingtons. I wonder if they can put spinnah's on Marine One.
Too bad she will be First Lady - first over ignorant and uneducated people.
For someone with such great style, the red & black dress Michelle Obama wore on election night was a horrible choice. It looked like it was made from velvet, satin, spandex and Elmo muppet fur. Not only was it unbelievably ugly, it was terribly unflattering.
I disliked that dress on election night and totally agree with the poster above. In contract, Jill Biden was dressed beautifully for the occasion.
"Too bad she will be First Lady - first over ignorant and uneducated people."
Well at least you recognize that she is the first lady over an uneducated and ignorant fool like you.
Have to say that Mrs. Obama has always appeared well dressed until last night. What was she thinking? Perhaps a few celebration drinks prior to dressing? The dress was terrible!
Please honey never wear that thing again!
Her election night dress was rather unfortunate, but I think we can allow her one misstep in her years of generally impeccable and elegant style. Do you think the Obama family was sporting a lot of red on election night as a symbol of political cooperation? I don't think that could have been completely coincidental, considering how thoughtfully the entire campaign was run. Also, I think it's fantastic that although Michelle has great style, she spent her $ and sported many budget styles, such as H&M as opposed to spending $150,00+++ convention money on her looks. You know what they say about people who spend a lot to look real cheap. Well, Michelle can spend a little and look real chic. Her elegance comes from her person.
She is just UUUUUUUUGLY!
You can all look at her through rose colered glasses, if you wish, just as you look at her husband but she is horrible, has a terrible figue, and has no fashion sense whatsoever. I mean really are you all blind or just stupid... both apply.
You're trolling me right? This woman, if I may be so bold to call her that, has absolutely no fashion sense at all. I've seen homeless people dress nicer than her. Her figure and monstrous mouth destroy any hope she could ever possibly have to be considered even somewhat attractive.
Yes, We can!
I wish Michelle could get a fashion stylist. Her clothes look like they are meant for someone older. They tend to be frumpy, old looking & not figure flattering at all. With her visibility, I want her to look good at all times. That unattractive election night red & black dress will be a part of history in pictures forever, unfortunately. A sleek well fitted suit would have been perfect. A well fitted/draped dress with heels would have worked, too. She should wear heels as they are more flattering for a long lean look, and keep her legs gently crossed to offset her bow legs. I hope that they can help her with the girls' clothing and hair styles as well. On Monday when Barack took them to school their hair was uncombed. On election night, Michelle's Mom was flawless -head to toe. Please help Michelle and the girls.
I was wondering why no one out there in media land or even fashion sense land has pointed out that the dress Michelle Obama wore onto stage the night BO won the election - resembles the outfit a female black widow spider wears - all black with a red hour glass shape on the belly? It was the first thing that came to mind for me and I'm not sure that I am that observant but it did seem incredibly obvious.
She always looks classy and amazing and I love that it always looks like Barack adores her. very sweet.
Michelle Obama is so classy, elegant, and beautiful! I love her! :D She has the best fashion sense I've seen in women. I wonder what she's going to wear tomorrow!! :D
Michelle's choice of clothes are awful and doily. Very plain with no a-line dresses, nothing showing her ample hips and boring choice of colors. Please call somebody for help.
Inaugural gown was prom-like, i.e.
too youtful and out of season.
The the vintage pin on the Inaugural suit was too much bling for the daytime.
My favorite Inaugural outfit was the swing coat and skinny pants she wore on the train.
I thought both Malia and Sasha looked cute. I loved those J. Crew coats!
Is Michelle Obama trying to sabotage her husband by selecting these horrible dresses.
Some European fashion magazines classified her dress at the inaugural ceremony as "upholstery type"
The dress for the night was simplistic and childish
Michelle Obama represents the US in the world and she should get a dress advisor.
It is very discouraging that she has such a poor sense of fashion and dresses as if going to a local event in a neighborhood church.
She has been dressing wrong time after time. The dress at the nomination looks as if she had a red apron. The yellowish dress at the inauguration was so inappropriate for the occasion that revolted me. The dress at the night events looks out of fashion
I hope that she realizes that she is representing the most powerful nation in the world and that the whole world is looking at her.
Normally I don't make comments on posts this fantastically old, but ... seriously. It's just clothes. I doubt Barack is going to lose the presidency or any credibility if the First Lady isn't completely "fashion forward." I mean, lighten up, people. Seriously. This original post was about being fun and funny with clothes, not acting like a dress is the definition of a human being.
I think it's wonderful that so many of you think that Michelle Obama is fashionable--the Salvation Army thrift shops must just LOVE to hear that! Here's an idea for you: Rush right out, buy a used chenille bedspread, wrap it around yourself, and you'll look just like she did at the inaugural ball!
Other than the Elephant Man, I've never seen a human being with such a bizarrely deformed figure. While she can't help her genetics (although liposuction wouldn't hurt), wrapping that disfigurement in a black and red Spiderwoman dress (election day), or any of the other hundreds of unflattering, Cirque du Soleil fashion choices she's made, is an embarrassment to the country.
Dear First Lady: Please, if you ain't got it, please DON'T flaunt it. An intelligent woman should know better than that.
I find that recent clothing choices haven't been wise for a first lady and as such haven't helped in an overall opinion by the masses. One example being the print dress worn to the National Cathedral service on 1/21. There is a certain decorum and social expectation in DC government. We want to see our first lady dressed **well**, regardless of political affiliation. There *is* a standard. :o)
While I appreciate her desire to give not so well known designers a leg up, so to speak, a clothing designer and handler who are/is experienced with government functions and appearance would be oh so helpful in helping the first lady find her niche as well as helping with those oh so necessary public expectations.
My favorite pictures of the first lady are:
1. the black dress with pearls. the picture is interesting with faded writing and in an office. beautiful dress on her.
2. the silver(?) dress worn to the charity function (2005) is gorgeous and shows her as a classic.
Whoever was her clothing handler during that time...should be rehired to help MrsO be her absolute best!
Sincerely,
Jane...I didn't vote for our current POTUS but I want the First Lady dressed well! :o)
She is elegant and welldressed!
I am a 61 yr. old white female who is appalled by all the hype on the news, in magazines, etc. about Michelle Obama's fashions. The president is telling us how the economy is in such bad shape, how we need to take action to reduce foolish spending, blah, blah, blah..
He is a hypocrit...how are we supposed to believe in what he says when both he and his wife are the two biggest spenders that have ever entered the white house. I've read reports on the foolish spending the President exercised while campaigning and now again since being elected on things that many other public figures have either eliminated or cutback on....but not Obama. And the American people see Michelle Obama wearing designer fashions. Her designer was on TV this morning telling about how they will continue to put Michelle in this high-cost New York fashions in hopes that American women will rush out and buy the same. Come on now...get real!! There will be some that will, those are the ones that aren't being affected much by the failing economy. But those of us who are the average American woman, cannot afford fashions like that, nor would they wear them around the house doing laundry or grocery shopping, etc. It's the average American woman that is trying to listen to what is being said about the economy and trying to comply with cutbacks, etc. So why is there a double standard where the Obamas are concerned? They can spend money like water through a sieve, and wear fashions that only the rich can afford, and yet the message the President is telling us is that we CANNOT spend foolishly! So what are Michelle and he doing? I'm confused....personally I would have much more respect for a President and a First Lady who related and connected to the average American rather than the upper crust of society. They appear to be snobs...how refreshing it would be for them to relate to the average American!!
Looking at these comments I suppose Mrs. Obama is damned if she does and damned if she doesn't.
If she dresses well people accuse her of not relating to the country. (Laura).
If she dresses more simply, people accuse her of disrespecting the presidency. (More anonymous posters than I can count).
Personally, I think she dresses like a well-dressed and tailored professional woman. Exactly what she is. I don't think any trade treaties will go by the waste side because of her pins and pearls.
The suits are great, the dresses are great, the hair is amazing. I love the belts and pins. She has convinced me to give up the stilettos and go with more flats.
Oh and she is not "bizarrely deformed" and in need of liposuction. Like me and almost everyone woman I know, Ms. Obama is fit. She has great arms and a flat stomach--something I don't think a lot of people posting here can say. She's thick not fat. You folks probably think Serena Williams is fat.
I am glad that women like Mrs. Obama and Serena are becoming more well known. The antiquated and limited view of beauty in this country must change.
Go Mrs. Obama!
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