The Hair Club for Presidential Men.

Do you recognize these dos? It's a folicular history of our fearless leaders. The Times' Op-Art column takes a look at the styles of our men of substance. Penny Howell Jolly, an art history professor from Skidmore, gives a great translation of what their hair was saying. From relaxed styles usually followed relaxed politics. Powdered wigs were rejected as signs of the old, upper-crust. Facial hair signaled virility when times were tough. Now, a new style entirely is another sign of our unprecedented president.

Not to be left behind, the First Ladies are given similar hair treatment.

It's amazing that you can recognize an entire person--era, beliefs, politics, and all--based on their hairstyle. Check out the full feature here.

Mobama Daily.

I see a picture like this, and even in the face of great economic uncertainty, health care upheaval, war, and famine, I think to myself, "Well, at least something is right in the world."

Look at this family! Coordinated, styled--yet chic with an easy air of effortlessness. I mean, that right there is a family fashion phenomenon. And, on the chance of sounding remarkably single-minded and naive, I will admit that it makes me feel better about life. I can't help it, it just does. That, my fellow fashion fiending friends, is why I am so grateful to New York Magazine.

With all do respect to Mrs. Obama, she's like a dream Barbie! She goes into any situation dressed and accessorized perfectly with a big brain, a real body, and amazing taste in footwear (those are Lanvin sneakers up there, and check out those Martin Margiela shoes top center. They're like half men's loafers, half sandal, and fully wonderful.)

Right there on the site of my very favorite weekly magazine (Screw you, US!) is The Michelle Obama Look Book, an oft-updated slideshow of the First Lady's sartorial choices. Flip through and you will see the unfolding tale of a very gifted, regal woman in which our heroine dons dresses by Rodarte, Tracy Feith, Sophie Theallet, Target, Talbot, and Moschino; in which she slides on Lanvin sneakers and Gap pants; where she digs in the garden and hikes and doles out awards, all the while looking like the embodiment of what American fashion always wanted to be but never had the spokesperson for. She's the new American sensibility, with her eclectic mix of high and low, with her patterns and solids worn in perfect proportion. She's gorgeous and grand and definitely worth checking in on every single day of her tenure in the White House. While MObama's fashion savvy is not news, I just had to pause and say thanks, oh vigilant nymag.com. Thanks for keeping her brilliance so evident and organized. Thanks.

We Interupt This Fashion Broadcast for an Important Message from The President

Although Mr. President looks darn fine in this here video from his White House Correspondents Dinner speech, fashion is not the focus of this post. Instead, I'm posting it because if you didn't see it, you have to watch it and fall in love with our Prez all over again. He's so funny and cute, and powerful, and...hmmm I'll stop there.





Love him. Gobama.

Ok, back to the fashion, biotches.

I Want Wu.

I'm so happy for Jason Wu. M'Obama's magic wand did him wonders and the 26 year old is very deserving of all the attention the inauguration gown bestowed upon him. He's been sewing since he was 9, sculpting since he was 14, and combining the two to bring fashion to the folks since his graduation from Parson's School of Design. His latest effort is fresh but grown up, lady like but cool. It hits the right balance and is a strong collection that will capitalize on his sudden fame in all the right ways.

He's got the Isaac Mizrahi slot filled for the season, covering girly things that grown ladies will love. I want that gray dress, Wu. I want Wu. I want Wu to want me. Wu, Wu! Ok, I'll stop now...

Photos: Marcio Madeira for Style.com

M'Obama: 2,367; Hill C.: 1

Hillary's in the game ladies and gentlefolk. M'Obama may be the reigning queen of fashion on Capitol Hill, but Hill's staking her claim. In today's Times there is a picture of the Secretary of State as she exited an airplane in a gorgeously lined black coat that fluttered ever so beautifully in the Japanese wind. Clinton is on official business and she is bringing the fashion officially. Score one for H.C.!

See the entire article and photo credit at NYTimes.com.

Let Her Be Your Guide.

There is a very strange article in today's New York Times about Michelle Obama's wardrobe habits. Apparently Mrs. Obama's style choices have been largely facilitated behind the scenes by Chicago boutique owner Ikram Goldman. For some reason this is examined at length and scoffed at by the old guard of designers who used to handle dressing previous First Ladies. I get their concern; the off-the-rack items garnered from one particular boutique become infinitely more valuable in the consumer market and push specific sales in a way that original garments, designed as one-offs don't. So, the article makes liberal use of the phrase "conflict of interest." I smell sour grapes. Throw out the handbook, people. This is a new administration. Things will be done differently. How many real women do you know who have in-house designers sketching their wardrobes? Alternatively, how many real women do you know who shop in boutiques, who have relationships with a shop owner who helps them find what they need and make tough style decisions? Michelle Obama is a fine example of a real woman in the world, now she's just in the glare of the spotlight. She's doing it her way, a very practical way. I see Michelle Obama as a practical woman who has lived a life of reality. She's never been couture be-decked. She dresses in J.Crew, The Gap, democratic stores open to everyone. It's nauseating to witness the dissection of the global/economic/market impact of every single wardrobe choice she makes. Yes, the fashion industry is suffering, and yes, the new First Lady is a style star, but that doesn't make it her responsibility to rescue an industry, or play by the old rules. It's time to deflate, reevaluate, and reassess the fashion world. The First Lady is doing her part, now the design establishment needs to follow suit. Change, adapt, throwback a nice tall glass of reality, and move on in new ways. Let Michelle be your guide.

Photo: Getty Images via The New York Times.

Thrilled

Ok, so I was gone for the inauguration and I was going to wait for my viewing of the entire thing on my Dad's DVR tomorrow before I gave my Michelle Obama commentary, but I've received too many requests to keep quiet any longer. One word: chic. Two words: so smart.

Michelle is the kind of fashion icon that comes along so rarely. She is a classic with enough twist to make things look fresh, new, and exciting. I don't always absolutely love what she's wearing, but I do always love how she's wearing it. Her lemongrass Isabel Toledo dress and coat is so acutely fitting for the occasion and so precisely speaks the message of the new President. Its regal detailing gives it a sense of tradition and ceremony, while the color, the contrasting gloves and shoes, and the completely radiant makeup make it fresh and new and unstuffy. She's the real deal. She's gorgeous and dignified and so are her daughters, and of course our new President. Her Jason Wu ball gown was graceful and fanciful and flattering and had that same newness by virtue of his unknown status.

The reason I feel justified and not silly about focusing on her fashion (besides for how incredibly fun it is), is because it completely elucidates her smarts. She knows what's what, she knows how to say something with her sartorial choices. It's a talent that will only add to her political role. No one should underestimate how clothing influences peoples' impressions, ideas, and states of mind. It is a tool in her loaded box and she knows how to use it. She's a smart dressed woman.

As for the rest of the fashion on display during the inaugural festivities, Bill Cunningham gives the day and its public stars their most throughly compassionate due, and the Fug Girls take care of the rest of the celebs. Oh, and I vote a yes for Aretha's hat. Why not, you know?

Why I Had to Go...

My friend Neil nearly killed me for being away during the Obamas' big day, and I will say that a part of me wishes I had been here to witness the joyous mania live, but this is how I just spent the last few days:

So, I had plenty of fun daydreaming about Michelle's possible gown choices with sand between my toes. I have to catch up on all the things I've missed and get back into my groove. But, in the meantime watch this audio slide show about Mobama from Cathy Horyn over at The New York Times. It made me misty-eyed. Horyn's excellently raspy voice and poigniant commentary are great.

Ok, back to re-entry into the City's atmosphere. I'm sure I'll be up and running in no time! Well, give me a little time...

Last M'Obama Post for Today!

I'm a bit obsessive, what can I say?

Today The New York Times has a great photo slide show featuring the fabulous First Lady Elect (I think it's finally starting to set in) MicheLLE OBAMA!!!! (oh, there it goes again) and her amazing fashion choices on the road to the White House. I love this photo of her dancing with Ellen Degeneres:


Besides for Michelle, look at how good Mrs. Portia Di Rossi looks. I love her pocket chain and her loose tie.

Speaking of Ellen, she has this great section on her show's website featuring bad photos sent in by audience members and they are hysterical. They come in a few varieties: Bad Paid for Photos, Bad Santa Photos, and Bad School Photos. If you need a pick-me-up, check these out and let the laughter begin. Here's a sampling of my favorites:

Santa Gone All Wrong...



School Gone All Wrong...



Those were just too funny not to share.

Michelle Merch

I think I want to platonic-marry Michelle Obama, but until Californians get their protest on and also team up with the polygamist movement, I'm going to have to settle for expressing my Michellicious love through t-shirts, mugs, totes, hats, and buttons. Good thing the internet abounds with First Lady treasures.






Go ahead and click on any item above for ordering information. M'Obama loves you too!

The Scoop: Michelle Hearts Narciso

Apparently my early morning started just early enough to miss the wave of stories about OUR NEW FIRST LADY!!!! (wow, I'm still really excited about that) and her election night dress choice. Turns out Michelle chose a Narciso Rodriguez piece from his Spring 2009 show.

Images: (l tor) Charlotte Observer.com, Marcio Madeira for Style.com

It is always interesting to watch a dress go from runway to reality. I love that Obama classed up the piece with a lining, a new neckline, and a cardigan. It is a testament to her incredible sense of style that she was able to foresee the sophisticated and family-oriented possibilities in such a sexy little number. She's a real sartorial talent. It thrills me to no end that she will be moving into the White House with a closet full of high-low fashion hits, and taste to spare.

It also thrills me to know that someone has had the foresight to dedicate an entire website to Mrs. Obama's wardrobe. Introducing Mrs. O, the web's greatest (and possibly only) singularly dedicated Michelle Obama fashion site.


I've already bookmarked it! I know it seems trivial to some, possibly not you dedicated IWTWI readers, but I am so amazed that we have a NEW FIRST LADY!!!!!! (still does it for me) that has oodles of grace, style, design sense, and class. Her wardrobe choices show her smart grasp of what works. It is a joy to watch. Four years of this? Yippee! Fashionistas rejoice!

Today the site features an excellent profile of Mrs. Obama from this morning's Today Show.

Michelle, my belle.

Picture Perfect

How great do they look? All color coordinated and beautiful.

I'm trying to figure out where the NEW FIRST LADY!!!!!! (sorry my enthusiasm took over there for a second....) got her dress for my friend and election night host Neil P., but for the moment it's eluding me. Oh well, there will be plenty of time for Michelle Obama fashion news. For now, I'm going to blast Stevie Wonder and dance like a fool around my room. That's just how I celebrate. Happy New Day!