Black and White Floral Chic (UPDATED)
Thursday, November 27, 2008 at 11:49 AM Mrs. O joined president-elect Mr. O in an interview with Barbara Walters last night, discussing a broad range of topics from the president-elect's cabinet selections to family plans for Thanksgiving. The Inaugural Ball came up briefly, and on the subject of her dress, Mrs. O indicated she hadn't yet picked one. Despite all of the speculation, we're almost certain Mrs. O's entire Inauguration Day wardrobe will remain shrouded in secrecy right up until its debut.
Speaking of dresses though, we were quite fond of Mrs. O's selection for her sit-down with Barbara. In a white sheath dress with patterned black and grey floral embroidery and black piping at the neckline and armholes, Mrs. O looked modern, youthful and polished. Mrs. O accessorized the look with a black and platinum bow pin worn at the collar in her signature style. Click here for a closer look.
The black and white palette is reminiscent of another Mrs. O hit dress: the Donna Ricco shift purchased at Black House White Market and worn to co-host The View in June. We've also noted the return of the bow worn diagonally at the collar. Previously paired with a punchy pink Maria Pinto sheathworn for Mrs. O's More magazine cover in October, and again with the Thakoon Inside-Out Floral Dress worn for the first Presidential debate, the bow offers a feminine touch we're happy to see back in the mix.
Given the holiday - and that black and white was so prominent in many of the SS '09 collections - identifying the designer for this dress has proven tricky. However, we're going to make an educated guess or two. The black embroidery on white fabric was seen repeatedly throughout Narciso Rodriguez Spring '09 collection. He is clearly a favorite designer of Mrs. O's and may very well be responsible for this chic look. We also want to mention Isabel Toledo, who designed Mrs. O's ensemble for a Vogue-sponsored fundraiser back in June. The dress above is similar to Isabel Toledo designs we spotted while visiting Ikram in Chicago, and New York Magazine previously reported that the designer was working on future ensembles for Mrs. O. Might this be one of them?
Finally, we'd like to close by saying our heart goes out to all those affected by the tragic situation in Mumbai. Our thoughts are with you on this Thanksgiving.
UPDATE: We have a new designer name in the Mrs. O designer line-up: Jason Wu. Mrs. O wore an ivory raw-silk dress with hand-embroidered rosettes from the designer's Spring/Summer 2009 collection for her Barbara Walters interview. Jason Wu, only 26, was named one of the 2008 finalists for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. Another exciting and unexpected choice from the ever fashion-forward Mrs. O. An All The Rage article from earlier this month gives us further background. Mrs. O was introduced to Wu's line through Vogue's Andre Leon Talley; she subsequently purchased four dresses from the designer's Spring/Summer collection.
Reader Comments (22)
Hmm, not my favorite of hers, but it looks good on camera. The black/grey flowers end up blending into blotchy dots, though.
Kristan
http://jbu.phuzzymath.net/
Loved the outfit. Happy Thanksgiving.
Very pretty dress. Michelle keeps hitting the right note. I hope you can find confirmation that it is indeed Isabela Toledo. I loved that all balck ensemble of hers that Michelle wore earlier in the year. Even better I liked that she, Barack and their girls were out handing out food at a local church on Thanksgiving Eve. They will make a great First Family.
I loooved this dress. I knew you would have a post about it.
Sometimes, like in this dress, Michelle looks very, very young to me. She looks like someone in her 30's. Also she looks quite thin! I guess being home means she's back to her old workout routine.
Your description of the interview is interesting. When I mentioned the show to my partner, I said, "Let's watch Mrs. O get interviewed by Barbara Walters. Her husband is going to join her as well." :-)
I associate sleeveless informal dresses with spring/summer wear. I'm interested in what others think about dressing for the weather/time of year...
i love mrs. o and her husband.
I too agree with Alison. I just don't understand the sleeveless dress in the cold. Mrs. O is dressed like it is June or July. I know it has to be cold in Chicago in November.
I suppose it's because the interview was indoors, no? I've been reviewing photographs of Jackie Kennedy, and have noticed that she often wore sleeveless dresses, regardless of season. For example, this Christmas photo:
http://www.presidentprofiles.com/images/prh_01_img0073.jpg
It gets really hot under all those lights. Besides they're indoors, not braving the Chicago winter. I was always told that one shouldn't wear patterns on TV, but I like the look.
i absolutely loved this dress on her, she looked very cute & just a touch girly/flirty fun. if i had her arms, i'd wear sleeveless outfits year round too.!
@Alison
SHE IS NOT OUTSIDE HUNNY, SHE IS INDOORS. THINK BEFORE YOU write!!
All this discussion regarding seasonal attire - such a dated topic.
Besides a coat, nearly all fashion today is basically seasonless.
Boots w/ spring frocks, knit hats w/ t shirts and cut offs, no hose and strappy sandals in the dead of winter, mink in the summer - its all out there being worn at any time of the year.
Ms O is a modern woman who understands todays concept of seasonless dressing.
Loved the Dress! I think this classic sheath look is shaping up to be a Mrs. O signature.
The whole season thing, and this being a summer dress did not register until I read Alison's blog. My initial reaction was to be defensive of Mrs O (as I have become lately, being i ABOSOLUTELY LOVE HER!) But when you think about it, you have to admit, this is a very summery/spring look.
That being said, to satisfy my Mrs-O-does-no-wrong ideaology, this is 2008 and its safe to say who makes the rules in fashion? if she looks great in it (and she does), and she feels like wearing it, so what, go for it!
Mrs O ROCKS!
She looks stunning.
I was thinking it was a little cold for sleeveless dresses, but it was done indoors. I don't think there was anything negative implied in Alison's comments.
Thanks for posting Jackie O in the Christmas sleeveless dress. I LOVE EVERYTHING about Michelle, but I was cold watching her in that dress. It especially hit me when I realized Barbara was in a sweater and a blazer. I thought it seemed out of season. However, if it worked for Jackie O, then Mrs. O can also carry it off. Again, thanks for the vintage Jackie O photo...Michelle is my generation's Jackie O and I couldn't be more thrilled! Yeah Bamelot!
I would like to think its warm inside, does she look cold to anybody, I'm almost sure if she has to go outside and its cold she has a jacket to put on. Is there a hint that she's cold, maybe i missed it.
I agree with Alison the short sleeves seem out of season. But she looks terrific and her arms are lovely.
I think she's going to make us proud.
The sleevelessness in winter drives me crazy--so inappropriate. She needs to throw in some suits. I saw her in one with a jacket with a great cut. She looked wonderful, not frumpy at all. She needs to wear some real jewelry. The frou frou brooches don't always photograph well. These are photographs that will go down in history, and she will look ridiculous. She needs to continue with interesting shapes and olors, ramp up the formality a bit and forego the teenage trendy etsy-looking chia-pet stuff globbed on her shoulder.
@Diane
WHo made you the fashion police?
@Diane
Please tell us MO fashion watchers what you really think of FLOTUS and HER choices!!! LOL