Marian Anderson: Personal Style and Public Imagery

First Lady and Fellow Chicagoan Michelle Obama is remarkable for her impact on fashion, style and the focus the media is placing upon covering M.O.’s fashion choices and style. Style is a kind of shorthand. Style is a way of crystallizing our public persona. When someone looks absolutely stunning, it can take your breath away while you witness the true and authentic essence of someone extraordinary. Marian Anderson, pictured above, the first regular member of New York’s Metropolitan Opera, reflected on her own identity as an African American woman in American society and said, “I could see that my significance as an individual was small in this affair. I had become a symbol, representing my people.” The dress she’s wearing leaves no room for questioning Anderson’s amazing grace and personal composure in her very public role in American life and culture.

Self-Esteem is always in Fashion and always in Style

My sister, at left, and I may have complained about the yearly cookie sale competition during our Girl Scout years, but we loved being Scouts. It certainly wasn't the uniforms, but those green berets were way cool! Barbara was a Brownie, too!
First Lady Michelle Obama is the Honorary President of the Girl Scouts, a worldwide organization which fosters positive support for all girls in their physical, psychological and emotional development. Girl Scouts programs focus on developing awareness and leadership and activism on many issues including body-image, the environment, career development and engages their exploration of self-esteem as it relates to the many challenges in their everyday lives. For more information, visit www.girlscouts.org and find out about Uniquely Me, just one of Girl Scouts' incredible initiatives for individual reflection and growth.

President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle and Style Today

Michelle Obama Look Book. Look! A Compendium!

Click here for the Michelle Obama Look Book at the website of New York Magazine. This is a great resource. You can check out what outfit Michelle Obama wore on what date and which designer. From events at the White House, to foreign trips to Europe, Russia and Africa, this is a resource for followers of "la Belle Michelle." The First Lady definitely has stepped up the level of sophistication at her post and in D.C. society. BTW, the above photo is from a May 12, 2009 event at the White House and MO is rocking a wonderful blouse from Basso + Brooke.

Maria Pinto Fall 2009

Here's a look from one of the designers Michelle Obama wore during the Presidential campaign, Maria Pinto. There's a Sherlock Holmes feeling to the jacket. Maybe, maybe not? But it's amazing, nonetheless.

Plants, Shoes, Africa and Jewellry

Inspiration from nature is a wondrous thing. You can see it in the design of many ordinary items in everyday life. The “clam shell” mobile phone is based on the way the shells of clams open and close and the way they are hinged. The painting of a shoe and the plant above share similar colors, shapes and a similar feeling of effortless elegance. The glass artist Dale Chihuly’s work is a mind-bending celebration of shapes and colors from nature and the dream world. Michelle Obama wears the delightful, exquisitely detailed jewelry of St Erasmus which evokes the continent of Africa in all of its visual glories.

You Say Tomatoes, I Say Tomatoes

The legendary Diane von Furstenberg (pictured above with the legendary Barbara Glass) was asked about what she admires most about Michelle Obama’s contributions as First Lady and she cited the White House vegetable garden. Is DVF a vegetarian? Just asking. You may remember that the President said they’d have to watch out and make sure Bo, the First Dog, didn’t eat the tomatoes. Phoebe’s dog, Ralph Waldo (a.k.a. “King of all Dogs” Ralph), was (R.I.P.) a tomato-eating Chihuahua. In Chicago. Where tomato-growing season coincides with Cubs season.

Glamour and the Goddess Dress

Two Epic Black Dresses in One Weekend!

The Fashion Planets in the Universe Have Aligned To Bestow Upon Us Great, Chic Black Dresses. Coco Chanel is smiling down upon us!

Michelle Obama's Neighborhood: This is How We Do It!

For those of you who want to know what it means to be a stylish Chicago South Sider, peep this photo from Phoebe's high school yearbook. The school is a couple of blocks away from Michelle Obama's childhood home. Thought our readers and those who love Michelle O's style influences would appreciate this context.

Are You A Phenomenal Brand Ambassador? He Is!

From a historical and cultural perspective, it seems that people who do what they were born to do, tend to excel. They have a certain, “je ne sais quoi” about them. They bring the flourish and the flavor that only they themselves can add. Take Cleopatra, Henry the Eighth, Michael Jordan. Donald Trump. Michelle Obama. Add to the list, this guy with the Flea Market “that’s just like a mini-mall.” Sammy Stephens is as excited about his sofas, beds, tables, dinettes and lamps as you can possibly get. So excited, he made up a dance that anyone can do. This guy is an exemplary brand ambassador, in the tradition of Cleo, Henry, MJ, Donald and Michelle. SS's suits might possibly be Savile Row bespoke, peut-etre? And look out! Sammy's shirt collar and tie combos are the business!

Michelle Obama's Shoes News

Pigs, Lipstick and Such

Twin Speak: Remember when Sarah Palin was announced as the Republican candidate for Vice-President? Everybody and their mother were looking to buy the same eyeglasses as Palin. Fashion is as fashion does?

The Twins, Barbara and Phoebe, Talk Shoes

Twin Speak: Barbara loves flats, sneakers and ballet shoes and Phoebe likes "glamazon" high heels and shoes with wheels, i.e. roller skates.