Europe's Sweetheart
Sunday, April 5, 2009 at 4:48 PM Mrs. McD brings us perspective on the week's events from London: Lest there was ever any doubt, as Mrs. O concludes her tour and heads back home, the European press are declaring it an unqualified success. Notoriously difficult to impress, the British press in particular fell head over heels in love, exhausting their supply of superlatives in praise of the First Lady. From the moment she exited Air Force One in that chartreuse yellow Jason Wu dress, the fashion press swooned as one. Elle UK described this stunningly confident look as:
"An eye popping bright yellow shift by Jason Wu perfectly offset with a black belt and long line jacket that signalled to the world, we have arrived."
Mrs. O rang the fashion changes throughout the week, moving from accessibly soft and pretty J. Crew separates to high octane Alaia glamour, and fashion commentators lauded almost every move. That asymmetric Junya Watanabe cardigan was admittedly widely regarded as something of a miss, but by then the press were past caring. As Genevieve Fox put it in The Telegraph
:
"Our very modern First Lady is a fallible fashionista. She makes mistakes, just like the rest of us. And that makes us love her all the more. Roll on Strasbourg, Prague and Ankara and the next leg of the Mrs. O fashion parade."
With the British press in raptures, the French -- perhaps even more fastidious in matters sartorial -- rapidly followed suit, shrugging off suggestions of a "First Lady Face-off" between Mrs Obama and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy. As Agence France put it; "Classic Carla, daring Michelle: to each her style" while L'Express paid tribute to "The Ten Style Commandments of Michelle Obama". What was most extraordinary however was the sheer magnitude of the interest in and admiration for Mrs. Obama. As many observers have commented, Michelle was without question the most talked about figure of the entire summit, at times eclipsing even the mega-star quality of her own husband -- as The Sunday Times reported:
"The star was clearly President Barack Obama, whose calm and authoritative performance was praised everywhere. However, even he may have been upstaged-by his wife Michelle, whose poise, grace and style probably provoked more interest and discussion than the final summit communique."
The affection, even adoration that shines through in the press coverage is also remarkable -- gestures that in a less popular figure might have been frowned upon were regarded simply as further evidence of Michelle's exceptional warmth, confidence and accessibility. So what is it about the First Lady that has taken Europe so completely by storm? Yes, there's been a lot of comment around the clothes -- and we, more than anyone, are fascinated by each and every ensemble. But it seems that in commenting on fabric and fit, people have really been commenting on something more profound -- the spirit that radiates through the clothes.
Intelligent, poised and considered, Mrs. O has used her clothing this week to send some powerful messages. Messages about hope, warmth and renewal. From that glowing yellow gown to the fresh, spring-like quality of her J. Crew ensemble, from the soft accessibility of her famous cardigans to the powerful lines of her little black dresses, her every look exuded confidence, strength and compassion. Hope was a watchword for the Obama campaign and it is perhaps because Mrs. O radiated hope this week that Europe -- and the world -- fell in love. A one woman stimulus package? She just might be. To leave the last word to The Sunday Times:
"She came, she hugged, she conquered."
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Reader Comments (46)
In retrospect, this week we've seen Mrs.O's ability to appeal to a broad strata of humanity. Key woman here being "HUMANITY". Mrs.O appeals to the goodness in all of us - that part which seems to be pure ONLY in childhood and spoilt during the adult years. May she continue to be true to herself and continue to bring out the best in us.
It's make me so proud to see that Europe loves Michelle (& the President) as much as we do. I think the first couple has started a re-newing of how the world see's the U.S. After eights years of totally hating us...maybe now (the U.S. will take back it's standing in the world as a leader...NOT a BULLY). Well done Mr. President & First lady Michelle.
I couldn't agree more. Michelle's most disarming and potent quality has to be her real feelings of care and compassion.
You have done so well Mrs T.
Mrs O did well too.
As Mrs. O said to the girls in the school "I do hugs"
well we are all hugging you right back Mrs. O
I LOVE THE FIRST COUPLE!!! yayyy, now where is that dog!!!
Michelle Obama was refreshing, elegant, beautiful and approachable. I think she represent all women, from stay at home mom, to working mom. Especially how she wear one outfit with a jacket, than taking the jacket off and turn it into an evening wear was very smart of her, I saw that on teh Oprah Show too.
I've been searching and waiting to see if any photos turn up, I forgot what region of the world that they are in and
I knew something was up when photos surfaced on Turkish News wires showing only the President and not any of his wife.
Now I know why the Turkish media and elsewhere has been slow to release any photos of the two women in public. I’ve been searching and waiting for an appearance or a bit of commentary about Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Gul and I don’t think that anything will be published because the Turkish secular elite has a serious problem with Mrs. Gul and her choice of head dress.
The turban, or headscarf, worn by Hayrunissa Gul is the subject of constant media attention, scrutiny and commentary. Throughout former Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's time in Cankaya Presidential Palace, the "turban" or headscarf has been forbidden in official public protocol receptions and the like.
In accordance, government officials whose wives cover their hair with headscarves have not been invited to official receptions and cocktails during Sezer's time in office.
I also admire the presidents appeal for diplomacy and open dialogue. Hopefully in the spirit of diplomacy they will show the two women on Turkish soil and if we don't see any photos then we know that religious prejudice and politics played a huge part in it.
This is from a person who got a front row seat @ the Prague rally and got Michelle Obama to explain her big bow fashion choice.
"Kathleen (and woman over my shoulder): “Love the bow too”
First Lady: “It’s a big bow”
Leaddog/bulldogmi: “That’s funny. All the women down here said the same thing.”
Michelle Obama: “If you’re going to do a bow, I think it should be a BIG bow.”
Leaddog/bulldogmi: “I agree…I always do the same when I wear a bow”
First Lady: Laugh"
Here is the link to the whole story http://bulldogmi.com/bigbowbymichelleo
Those wanting more of Mrs. O's awesome presence (along with her mother, Mrs. Robinson) check out the gorgeous Essence Magazine for May. Here is a link to see the cover at www.jackandjillpolitics.com
I'm sure its a great read. Unfortunately, I'm in Rome so I won't be able to pick it up....
Gorgeous piece, Mrs. McD. Both FLOTUS and POTUS have navigated through the bubble of routine reporting and landed straight in our hearts and minds. Their foremost qualities are of the deepest compassion of the human spirit and we can feel that in every encounter.
Thank you for putting this past week into perspective. Lovely memories for all.
I found Michelle's full speech to the girls in London. Just a little pick me up to make everyone smile.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/7982563.stm
I found Michelle’s full speech to the girls in London. Just a little pick me up to make everyone smile.
news(dot)bbc(dot)co(dot)uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/7982563(dot)stm
What a great week for Mrs. O! Overall she dis a fabulous job of repping our natuion. Nobody's perfect everyday so we should give her a break :)
Beautifully written. The ladies at Mrs. O are just as worty of praise and admiration as the FLOTUS they so generously pour theirs on. Mrs. McD and Mrs. T are wonderful! (so are all the other Mrs)
Divalocity, actually, Mrs. O returned to the United States yesterday, before trip to Turkey, hence why no pictures of her there.
Thanks for your great coverage of this trip. Some might say clothes are not that important but it seems like Michelle Obama's fashion choices are so expressive of who she is as a person--classy yet relaxed, daring but still approachable. And her sense of color is truly refreshing. Every time I look at the clip of her visit to the London school, I tear up. Hard to imagine any other first lady getting that reception--or giving so generously as a role model.
Everyone please check out the story on Huffington Post in the Style section about Michelle being a "master colorist".
It has a wonderful collage about our First Lady's palette for really colorful works of art in clothing choices. It is a well-written piece that really communicates her style to one of true artistic sophistication (I know she's aleready sophisticated, but I've never seen her choices described this way). I typically hate H. Post's articles, but this one is really enlightening.
Oops....the H. Post I mentioned above is in the "Living" section, not the style section. No wonder I liked the article so much.
The H. Post's style section is very juvenile and demeaning to Mrs. O a lot of times.
loved this post and the message of Michelle as hugger in chief. The one thing that sort of bothers me that I have seen in not only the linked Times piece but also at Politico is this meme that there is a competition of polling numbers betwen Michelle and her husband and that somehow our Pres lacks connection with people and that Michelle's popularity is saving him from his own numbers decreasing. I think they are very different in personalities, of course, but they also have a lot in common with how people react to them and it is not a competition. 68% approval is nothing to sneeze at even if it is not 72% as Michelle has. I just hate this narratives that someone has to be down for someone else to be up.
Okay, rant over, still happy Michelle got the recognition she deserved.
YES! YES! AND YES! Genevieve Fox's comments for The Telegraph resonates the most with me (See below). She is right on target and that should be the motto that those of us who choose to post on this blog adhere to. I'll leave it to that! A comment style is not a criticism of FLOATUS or of posters who have fragile sensibilities and are uber-protective of Mrs. O (unless posters direct their comments specifically at each other, which I personnaly avoid.)
And I just wanted to say: This site rocks!
”Our very modern First Lady is a fallible fashionista. She makes mistakes, just like the rest of us. And that makes us love her all the more."
Divalocity, Michelle isn't in Turkey, so that's the only story there, nothing more sinister. Though your info regarding the conflict over hijab is very interesting.
Thanks for this article, Mrs. McD., it's fun to get another perspective.
The Big Bow thread has slowed to a stop, but for those who are interested in more about that Moschino blouse, I posted some research. It may be redundant; some may find it interesting. Posted FWIW.
An interesting nugget from the CNN article on Michelle's fashion - paraphrased: one of the fashion experts said that Michelle's wardrobe is based on the "sportswear" sillouette. This is what makes it so approachable and easy to identify with .
I thought that was good insight and it does explain why I like most of her choices, it seems like something we normals can relate to wearing.
Go FLOTUS! Now onto the Easter outfits!
Bravo Mrs McD - I couldn't have said it better myself.
The world has discovered, as America did early on, the innate warmth and luminous intelligence that is our Mrs O.
She is love and positive energy personified.
The fashions are the cherry on top.
Divalocity- Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but the reason there are no pictures of Mrs. Obama and the Turkish leader's wife is that Mrs. Obama came home yesterday (or today) and President Obama went on to Turkey alone. I believe she wanted to get back to her daughters.
I want to say that I just love this site. It's one of the first that I look at when I get home from work each day. I just love Mrs. Obama's look. I just wish I had the figure to wear the clothes she wears!! I haven't had anyone that I really admired like her since Princess Diana.
she is just Michelle and I love her.
Divalocity, or anybody else know why Mrs. O is not accompanying her husband next week to Trinidad? If you think they were hurt in Turkey for her not showing up WAIT till they find out in Trinidad she's not coming. They've been sooo excited about seeing her there, read this article about a beautiful Wild Fowl Trust nature site they've been readying especially for her to tour: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161461445
I was soo looking forward to seeing her there but nothing like the people there! I fear there will be much resentment towards her, in that it's only two days, and only one of them is a school day. She could fly in on her own (just as she flew to U.S. back from Prague) after school that Friday, then it'll just be Saturday and half a Sunday. I really hate to say this-but there will be those saying she's snubbing dark skinned people, because she was just in Europe. This is a very important event and those people, PM Manning and his wife were very very gracious in their invite to her and in their preparations for her enjoyment along with the other spouses. Michelle is not thinking straight here. Those girls will be fine, they are well adjusted and happy with their grandmother and they are 8 and almost 11! Children can adapt well in a loving home, and Michelle needs to not become fettered so much to them because they will grow up and get their own lives sooner than she thinks.
Divalocity: Not every piece of fabric worn on the head is a turban. A head scarf is also called a hijab. A turban--yards of fabric wrapped around the head, in a manner that varies depending on the country, religion, and custom--is different. This article explains the differences: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/news/nation-world/crisis/theregion/turbans.html
OMG. I just saw the May cover of Essence with Michelle and her mom on the cover. They look so good together. She is wearing a green cardigan that seems to be layered over another blue cardigan or shirt with the black belt she wore under the Alia jacket from the trip to the Strasbourg's Cathedral with Carla Bruni. I see her mom is layering tops as well on the cover. Just beautiful. By the way alot of sites are reporting that on the trip to the cathedral she was in fact wearing the same Moschino bow top from yesterday, but with a printed Etro sweater over it.
A little tidbit of news that should be noted from Michelle's visit with Carla Bruni while in London...
From Politico dot com:
First ladies discuss HIV/AIDS
At their sit-down in France, Michelle Obama and French first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy discussed HIV/AIDS and agreed to speak further about the issue in the future. Bruni-Sarkozy, whose brother died of AIDS, is a goodwill ambassador for the protection of mothers and children against AIDS, for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Aides to the first lady said that the issue of HIV/AIDS will be under consideration as FLOTUS looks to develop a portfolio of international issues.
Thanks for that tidbit, Leah D.
Mrs O was doing well during her first trip abroad but , she can do much better!
of course, she is not a diva or a public face like Lady D but as a first black lady ,we know all, every eyes are on her and she knows what she like and what looks good on her. Although, she can ask someonelse help( stylist) while travelling abroad, official meeting and such prestigious occasion.
I would suggest Mrs O to carry handbag as "an accesoire",pantyhose, more structured , well cutted dresses, african dress also( there are some talented designers in Africa (especially in South of Africa), modern caftan by morrocan designers, and why not a indian colorfull sari in a comtemporary version.Diamond and precious stone like emerald will do fine on her.
well, i would like to see a former advocat transform to a glamour lady.
Of course, there are more to come and we are looking forward to see her in a different dresses in the future.
@ Isalo, I feel almost the opposite. We may see a gradually reduced emphasis on fashion during the course of the presidency. The First Lady has not had time yet to fully commit to the causes for which she will advocate. Once her fashion status is secured, the emphasis may switch more to her substantive programs. We may see a more and more workaday wardrobe. But state occasions and foreign trips will always be important fashion moments.
@ Janelle, Thank you for the link to the Kimberly Brooks
article on Mrs. O and color in HuffPost's Living section. It was exceptional. I especially liked the comparison between the Thakoon floral coat and the Matisse painting.
I often wonder to what extent Mrs. O's choices of what will work are based on an assumption of what other women will NOT be wearing. How would a photo of 20 First Ladies, all dressed in bright colors have, looked? What impression would a photo of 20 First Ladies, of whom at least 10 were wearing active prints, leave one with?
Honest Citizen,
You will find disclosure of the origins of this blog if you click on the About Mrs. O link. I do not know how long it has been there, but it is there for all of us to read.
And, please don't shout.
Oooops. Sorry. I wish there were an edit button. I meant to add:
I personally am not a fan of prints, so Mrs. O's print outfits are never among my favorites. I wonder if she would modify her use of them if they were more current? But then again, perhaps we ARE moving toward a moment that looks like the elaborately patterned interiors of Matisse's paintings. The last time prints were prevalent in fashion was probably the late 40s.
Does anyone know of comments made by Mrs. Obama about what influenced her fashion style or philosophy? Where did the love of cardigans and prints come from? Did she pick it up from her mom, teachers, television, movies? I'm curious...
I disagree with the suggestion that Mrs O wear precious stones - Mrs. McCain's six-figure diamond studs didn't go over too well.
The Sunday time was right on! And I loved listening to Ines de la Fressange speak (not that I could understand much) - there is another woman with her own lifetime sporty style. I do think of Mrs O having some elements of European style in her wardrobe because of her combining key pieces. The "sportswear" part is pure American.
thanks, mrs. mcd, for the nice write-up - it ties in the entire week very well
we know she and mr. o gifted the queen an i-pod, and carla bruni a guitar - but what did she/they give sarah brown and gordon brown ?
the entire gifting controversy started with the wonderfully selected, tasteful and appropriate gifts the browns brought with them to the u.s., didn't it - which kind of made it a tough act to follow...
i do remember reading posts then, about the obamas hopefully making it up to them when it was thier vturn to visit the u.k. - and yet, nothing that i have read anywhere, about gifts for them...even if the queen is the head of state, and they gave her a gift, it was the browns who hosted them, and i'm sure courtesy demanded gifts for them too ?
And exactly what are you fishing for Anupama...?
One controversy not enough for you...?
Well-written post Mrs McD...
I think the trip was wonderful and Mrs O was absolutely divine...
hey, c. - that was just a curious-but-politely-phrased, interested (and i think, relevant) question - no need for defensiveness around it
think i got my answer, but not in the way you intended
@Sarah
why should u compare Mrs O to Mrs Mc Cain? they are both different. An outfit or color may looks awome to a white skin or a personality like MRs Mc Cain for example but it will do no good to Mrs O. Precious stone enhance beauty, elevate charm.
I personally , encourage Mrs O to mix precious germs with her outfit.So Obviously, it will be a change to see some of the around Mrs O 'neck and arms /hairs( diamond 33 carats/ saphir / rubis/ emeraul/opale etc)
why Not?
Sarah, that day you will change your mind and will admit how beautifull she will be with conviction that there is nothing wrong to wear precious stones.
cheez
Anupama: I bet you found your answer exactly where you knew to look in the first place...
The effusive faux outrage sites; you know the ones don't you...?!
uumm...no,...i don't go to those sites
i deduced my answer from YOUR answer, my dear...go figure
talk about faux outrage, coming through as defensiveness...
The Sunday Times really summed it up very well! I love that quote!
Thanks Mrs T for providing excellent commentary on Mrs O's sartorial moves while in Europe, it's been a pleasure!!