Wednesday, November 5, 2008

The Dress!

Although I was delighted to see the lovely and deserving Obama family take the stage at Grant Park last night/early this morning, I must admit to some confusion over Michelle Obama’s dress.

Perhaps it was the time of night (morning?), but I couldn’t quite figure it out—there was a shrug; did it tie around the body? But no—there were strips of satin-y material running down the side that matched the criss cross on the waist. And was that ombre? No—more of a dotted blend from red to black. Perhaps it would have made more visual sense to me without the shrug . . .

There’s been debate on the blogosphere over who designed it. Frockwriter has put in a vote for Narciso Rodriguez, and while the dress certainly shares elements of the NR dress that Frockwriter points to, I wonder whether the dress is in fact an homage—something interpreted by another designer.

Any votes for who designed this dress?

15 comments:

K.Line said...

No idea but I did note its strangeness. And not that fashion should upstage this historic, fabulous moment, but I did not find it very flattering.

PS - Are you a dual citizen? Can you vote in US? (I voted in US election cuz I am dual...)

La Belette Rouge said...

I love Obama. I love the result. I love Michelle. I do not love the dress. But, I was so happy to see them on that stage that I was crying and maybe the salty tears blurred my vision. As I see the dress this a.m., I don't love it. But, back to the important point. He won!!!!:-)

Miss Cavendish said...

K.Line, No--I'm 100% Canadian! If it were still do-able, I'd certainly consider becoming dual so I could vote. Which nationality did you *begin* with?

Anonymous said...

So glad to hear you say this. My brain latched onto that odd dress somewhere in the middle of all my loud, cat-scaring cheers and never let go. What a strange choice for such a chic lady.

WendyB said...

It's definitely Narciso (see my post) for link. I think the dress would have been great without the cardigan, which ruined the effect of the sash at the waist.

Anonymous said...

Midst tears of relief and joy, I told my husband it looked like it was inspired by a black widow spider (red hourglass on abdomen). But who cares -- lovely family, lovely election!

K.Line said...

I started off American (born in NY) and moved to Canada when I was 7. Became CDN citizen when you could finally have dual without giving up US citizenship (which my parents wouldn't let me do). I really love being a dual citizen. I really value my Canadian-ness because I chose it.

Mary-Laure said...

I am very proud to be an American today and find our new first lady spectacular as always. She can't err when it comes to style.
But what about those little girls, aren't they also divine?

Unknown said...

I couldn't figure it out either ...and I didn't much like it. However, I would love to be the designer of it just because she was wearing it.

teach people not books said...

i too was puzzled. when she first came to the stage it almost appeared to be maternity-esque, from afar.

Elizabeth said...

I was a little perturbed by the dress's design. But more weird (to me) was the choice of red, the Republican color. Why not blue? I realize red is a power color, but I cannot dissociate it with the Republican signature hue.

Songy said...

Funny that. I didn't think much of it. I was busy spotting Oprah crying her eyes out.

I hope she does a little better soon. At least 'normal' so that us, style bloggers don't get perturbed!

Anonymous said...

Let's face it. Mrs. Obama is still new to all this and she hasn't had the money that some (First Ladies) in the past have had. This was a mis-step & an odd choice, but she has a pretty classic, elegant style. It'll be interesting to see her future choices.

Anonymous said...

I figured she was color coordinating to the kids but agree that it wasn't her best choice.

Imelda Matt - The Despotic Queen of Shoes said...

I can't believe all the BS that flew around because of this dress...I think it and I lived in the moment and forgot about fashion (for one split second). I'm glad your reading Patty's blog :)