Vogue Knows Best

Photo from Flickr user Barack Obama via David Katz for Obama for America // Creative Commons  Mrs. O topped another best-dressed list this week. But this wasn't just any list - it was Vogue's. And rather than a nod to Mrs. O's general sartorial savvy, this was a celebration of a very specific dress. The Narciso Rodriguez election night dress. In black and red embroidered silk chiffon and black satin, it's a sight we now know well. We've combed through the comments and have a good sense of the sentiments out there. But despite the groundswell of feelings a tad towards the negative, we're going to call for a bow to the fashion gods here. If we know anything, it's that in the realm of fashion forward, Vogue knows best. We think it's only fitting that they have the final word on this one.

Behind the Scenes of Election Night

Photos from Flickr user Barack Obama via David Katz for Obama for America // Creative Commons 

The Obama Campaign has released exclusive behind-the-scenes photos from election night. From the backstage waiting room to their grand stage at Grant Park, the images are charged with emotion. You can just feel the nervous anticipation transform to joy and excitement. If you have a few minutes, we recommend a look at the full Flickr set here.

We have to say, the more we study Mrs. O's Narciso Rodriguez dress, the more we grow to like it, particularly in the images above. Certainly it was unexpected, but perhaps we just needed a few days to settle into it, much like a new haircut. And we have to wonder if such vehement negative reactions are only a sign that it's fashion forward. Will we look back in a few months and find ourselves wearing ombre effect red and black frocks, the joke on us?

Of note, the first image above provides a good view of Mrs. O's Loree Rodkin earrings. We know Mrs. O is a devoted patron of Chicago's Ikram boutique, which conveniently carries the designer's jewelry collection.

Our First Lady

Photo credit: Flickr user Barack Obama via Jeffrey Katz for Obama for America // Creative Commons

Mrs. O, our first lady. We are thrilled! To celebrate this historic evening, Mrs. O wore a Narciso Rodriguez frock from the designer's Spring 2009 RTW collection. Mrs. O paired the dress with a black cardigan and kitten heels, adding a touch of sparkle with diamond bangles and earrings. Malia and Sasha were adorably coordinated in red and black.

Clearly there are a range of opinions about last night's dress, many of them quite strong. And while admittedly it's not our favorite of Mrs. O's frocks, we don't feel as negatively as some. As others have observed, it would have nice to see the dress sans cardigan.

One of the strengths of the design is the hourglass shape created by the diagonal bands of black satin in contrast to the red textured fabric. Already a rather complex design, the addition of the cardigan perhaps cluttered the look and diminished the hourglass effect.

For you adamant naysayers, New York Magazine does point out that the Narciso Rodriguez collection the dress stems from was one of the most critically acclaimed of New York Fashion Week. Though not our Maria Pinto prediction, Narciso Rodriguez was another likely candidate. Mrs. O has been seen in his designs several times before, most recently at the second Presidential Debate.

Update: There's a great piece on BlackBook in praise of Mrs. O's dress. The author asserts the dress is Mrs. O's "most commendable fashion statement as of yet." Judging by the comments left here, it seems most would disagree. But this polarization is a good thing. It means the dress is interesting, which is far better than the alternative - boring. Love it or hate it, this dress will forever be part of our memory of last night and our first look at Mrs. O as first lady (past wishful thinking aside). We will begin eagerly anticipating the Inaugural Ball.

Narciso Rodriguez Spring 2009 Collection: Photo courtesy of Narciso Rodriguez

A Twinkle in the Eye of Classic Style

Photo used with kind permission from photographer Edward Strennen

Mrs. O was channeling style with a twist last night in Tennessee, as she wore a classic red shift dress, with witty additions from the front diamante bows, to the exposed metallic zip at the back. The capped sleeve dress was beautifully cut with sculpting seams at the back, accentuating the figure and the silver flash of the zip gave bite. Below the scooped front neckline, encrusted ribbon bows offered some sparkling up light to her face, as she shook hands around the Tennessee studio and excused the need for any extra jewelry. Mrs. O’s dress was complimented by a pair of sharp patent sling backs in a close, but not exactly matching, red. Our fashion insider believes the dress is Maria Pinto.

Update: The dress is Narciso Rodriguez. This has been 100% confirmed.

Date: October 7, 2008

Venue: 2nd Presidential Debate, Nashville, TN

Another Narciso Number

Photo credit: Flickr user Barack Obama // Creative Commons

Thanks to BlackSnob for directing us to another fabulous Mrs. O ensemble, worn to the Congressional Black Caucus Gala on September 27th. A bit of research reveals it's a Narciso Rodrigez design in papaya silk, with navy and black floral embroidery through the skirt and shoulder, and darting at the neckline. We've seen Mrs. O in Narciso Rodriguez before, but this particular frock is a fresh, feminine spin on the designer's often minimalistic aesthetic. And this time, we're almost certain we're not being dupped for a H&M doppleganger. This photo doesn't quite do the dress justice. If you have better photos of Mrs. O from the evening, we'd love to post them.

Date: September 27, 2008

Venue: Congressional Black Caucus Gala, Washington, D.C.