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Michelle's Killing Us: Top US Designers

The big names want to get their threads on the First Fashion Plate

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 5, 2009 12:43 PM CDT

(Newser) – Michelle Obama's sartorial picks have now been hailed the world over, but America's elite designers are grumbling about being snubbed, reports the Telegraph. The first lady has debuted the work of several young designers, both American and foreign, on her European trip—a choice that hasn't sat well with the Vera Wangs and Donna Karans back home.

"I wish she would consider some of us, because I think we also have contributions to make," Wang told Women's Wear Daily. And while perennial first-lady fave Oscar de la Renta doesn't "object to the fact that Mrs Obama is wearing J Crew," he thinks "it's wrong to go in one direction only"—that is, not with him.

US President Barack Obama, right, holds hands with his wife First Lady Michelle Obama as they arrive at the Kurhaus in Baden-Baden, Germany for a piano concert and a dinner on Friday, April 3, 2009.
US President Barack Obama, right, holds hands with his wife First Lady Michelle Obama as they arrive at the Kurhaus in Baden-Baden, Germany for a piano concert and a dinner on Friday, April 3, 2009.   (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, shares a word with US President Barack Obama, left, and his wife First Lady Michelle Obama, who by the way is not wearing a well-known label.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, shares a word with US President Barack Obama, left, and his wife First Lady Michelle Obama, who by the way is not wearing a well-known label.   (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
When Michelle Obama and France's first lady Carla Bruni met this week, Obama wore a dress and coat by a young Thai-born US designer. Vera Wang isn't pleased.
When Michelle Obama and France's first lady Carla Bruni met this week, Obama wore a dress and coat by a young Thai-born US designer. Vera Wang isn't pleased.   (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
The argyle sweater she wore in London, designed by Junya Watanabe of Japan, is one of the few exceptions to Michelle Obama's apparent rule of wearing young US designers.
The argyle sweater she wore in London, designed by Junya Watanabe of Japan, is one of the few exceptions to Michelle Obama's apparent rule of wearing young US designers.   (AP Photo/Dominic Lipinski, pool)
Fashion designer Jason Wu says the inauguration ball dress he designed for Michelle Obama grew out of his childhood fascination with dolls.
Fashion designer Jason Wu says the inauguration ball dress he designed for Michelle Obama grew out of his childhood fascination with dolls.   (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
US first lady Michelle Obama, right, France's first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, centre, and Hayrunnisa Gul, wife of Turkey's President Abdulla Gul, walk after visiting Strasbourg Cathedral, in Strasbourg, France, Saturday, April 4, 2009.
US first lady Michelle Obama, right, France's first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, centre, and Hayrunnisa Gul, wife of Turkey's President Abdulla Gul, walk after visiting Strasbourg Cathedral, in Strasbourg,...   (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
U.S. first lady Michelle Obama greets a pupil with a high-five during a visit to Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School in London Thursday April 2, 2009.
U.S. first lady Michelle Obama greets a pupil with a high-five during a visit to Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School in London Thursday April 2, 2009.   (AP Photo/Dominic Lipinski, pool)
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I hope to be able to dress her, and not only dress her but address her, sit down - I'm interested in her totality as a woman.
- Donna Karan, on Michelle Obama

I think I understand what [Obama and her advisers] are doing, but I don't think that is the right message at this particular point. - Oscar de la Renta, on the fact that Michelle Obama has been choosing young designers, American and foreign, over the big names like him

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
riffran
Apr 6, 2009 10:08 AM CDT
wait....I think I have some spilled milk for Vera to cry over....waaaaa
oldgoat
Apr 6, 2009 8:20 AM CDT
I would say that she has a right to wear what she has found suits her. Maybe she isn't into the name on the tag, but instead into clothing that she likes at a price she likes.
skeptik
Apr 6, 2009 2:49 AM CDT
Michelle has a sense of style all her own & I'm glad she is willing to express it with her wardrobe. Too bad so sad for Vera et al but they are from the OLDER generation. Perhaps they should face that fact & quit whining.

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