Archive – Michelle Obama – Style News - StyleWatch

Jan 25 2012 11:30 AM ET

All the Details on Michelle Obama’s State of the Union Dress

Michelle Obama State of the Union Dress: Barbara Tfank
Kevin Dietsch/UPI/Landov

Whether rocking a $35 frock or a myriad of designer duds, Michelle Obama‘s wardrobe choices always turn heads.

Last night’s State of the Union ensemble was no exception. As the President declared his intent to help buoy the 99 percent (“Asking a billionaire to pay at least as much as his secretary in taxes? Most Americans would call that common sense,” he declared), his wife dazzled in a cobalt sheath from Barbara Tfank’s resort collection.

While reps for the brand won’t reveal the item’s retail price, a similar style from the collection is currently available at Barneys New York for $2,400.

This isn’t the first time the First Lady has worn the Los Angeles-based designer’s sophisticated wares. Last year, she met with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wearing a seafoam brocade design topped with a bubblegum pink stole.

“Everything in my closet is something that I love,” Obama has said. “So that I can make choices based on what makes sense, knowing that I’m going to love whatever it is.”

–Justine Harman

EMULATE SIZZLING STAR STYLE IN: ‘GET THE LOOK FOR LESS’

Jan 17 2012 01:30 PM ET

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Chic Clicks: David Beckham’s Super Bowl Commercial, Zappos Account Safety

David Beckham Underwear Ads H&M
Courtesy H&M

–David Beckham‘s new H&M bodywear line will be the focus of a sexy Super Bowl commercial [FashionETC]

–Why did The Descendants‘s Shailene Woodley wear five-finger shoes to a Globes bash? [InStyle]

–Happy 48th birthday to First Lady Michelle Obama! See 48 of her standout looks [FabSugar]

–Diddy gets sued over naming rights for his Empress perfume [New York Daily News]

–Was your Zappos.com information hacked this weekend? Here’s how to keep it safe [The Cut]

Jan 11 2012 06:00 PM ET

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Jason Wu Only Wanted to ‘Succeed in Fashion’

Jason Wu for Target, Michelle Obama
Olivier Douliery/ABACA

In only five years, Jason Wu has dressed a First Lady, been inducted into the CFDA and debuted a collection for Target, but that doesn’t mean he’s used to the lifestyle.

“A few years ago all I wanted to do was succeed in fashion,” he reveals on Wednesday’s premiere episode of Out of Character with Krista Smith on USA (airing at 11 p.m. EST). “I didn’t think my work would be in the museum,” he says of the inaugural gown he designed for Michelle Obama, which currently lives at the Smithsonian.

Though he never fathomed Obama would select his dress — and effectively change his life forever — Wu always designs with a person in mind. “I think it’s important to have a connection with the person you’re dressing,” he shares. “Fashion is so personal and I put a lot of me into everything that I do.”

To that end, the designer, who went from a 100-square-foot apartment (“a cabinet”) to a 9,000-square-foot studio in New York’s garment district, is still involved in every aspect of his ever-growing business. “I’m so hands on. I’m on my knees doing the fitting all the time, for every single fitting. I don’t want to miss any part of it, because that’s why I’m in this industry,” he gushes. “I wanted to do that.”

–Justine Harman

FEELING LUCKY? GUESS WHAT STARS WILL WEAR TO THIS YEAR’S GOLDEN GLOBES!

Oct 18 2011 06:00 PM ET

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Michelle Obama Reveals Her Fashion Motto

Miss Piggy InStyle Carolyn Kaster/AP

First Lady Michelle Obama may be a major fashion plate, but she’s not choosing her daily looks based on labels — it’s all about practicality.

Speaking to reporters Monday during a roundtable at the White House for her Let’s Move! campaign, Obama revealed her personal style motto. “I have to wear what I love,” she said. “I have to feel good in it. My day-to-day wardrobe choices are very practical. I’m like, ‘What’s the temperature?’ ‘Am I going to be sitting in the grass?’ ‘Will I be playing with kids?’ ‘Can I sit on the floor?’”

The First Lady explained that her key concerns are generally about her shirts bunching up or not covering enough of her back, because “if I bend over [I'm] worrying about that … embarrassing shot,” she joked.

And though she chooses her casual clothes — H&M, Gap, Talbots, Target (which she wore Monday, above) with a purpose — naturally, she also shops for what she really likes. “It’s like my music,” she explained. “Everything in my closet is something that I love, so that I can make choices based on what makes sense, knowing that I’m going to love whatever it is. I think that tends to be my philosophy.”

Kate Lands on Vanity Fair’s Best-Dressed List

Vanity Fair Best-Dressed List Robert Pitts/Landov; Kevork Djansezian/Getty; Jamie McCarthy/WireImage

It’s been an exciting year for the Duchess of Cambridge: a royal wedding, a North American Tour and now, a spot on Vanity Fair‘s International Best-Dressed List. Her first appearance on the list came in 2008, and a whirlwind of fashion successes since has earned her this illustrious second nod. Kate has gained worldwide recognition for her signature mix of high and low fashion, recycling looks, wearing accessible labels and dressing down for daily tasks. Though she also knows how to make a glamorous entrance — a skill that will serve her well as a member of the royal family.

Some other highlights of the annual list include President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama, named together as a well-dressed couple; expectant French First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy; and newly married Princess Charlene of Monaco. From Hollywood’s royal ranks come actors Justin Timberlake, Colin Firth and Carey Mulligan, plus musicians like Lady Gaga and Janelle Monáe.
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May 25 2011 10:15 AM ET

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Michelle Obama’s High Fashion London Looks: Tom Ford and More!

Michelle Obama in London
Startraks; Getty; Landov

Looks like the Duchess of Cambridge wasn’t the only one dressing up for the Obamas’ visit to London! Michelle Obama brought her signature colorful, feminine style to the British capital on Wednesday, dazzling in an array of elegant designs. After disembarking from Air Force One in a Preen dress and matching jacket the previous night, the First Lady met with Catherine and Prince William in a full-skirted, green Barbara Tfank dress topped with a cropped pink jacket. For time spent with Prime Minister David Cameron and his stylish wife Samantha Cameron, Mrs. Obama picked a magenta Roksanda Ilincic dress to go under her cobalt blue Narciso Rodriguez coat. She capped off the day with a truly dazzling look for a state banquet at Buckingham Palace, stepping out in an ivory Tom Ford halter gown with matching opera length gloves. There is still time left in the Obamas’ visit abroad, so we can’t wait to see what other beautiful looks the First Lady puts together.

SEE WHAT STARS ARE WEARING IN ‘LAST NIGHT’S LOOK: HIT OR MISS?”

Michelle Obama

May 24 2011 11:30 AM ET

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Duchess Kate Wears Reiss Dress to Meet the Obamas

Duchess of Cambridge Wears Reiss Dress
Fame

She may be stylish, but the Duchess of Cambridge constantly proves that looking chic isn’t just for royalty. Catherine chose one of her go-to brands, British retailer Reiss, when she and new husband Prince William met with President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at Buckingham Palace, marking their first royal duty since their wedding on April 29. The “Shola” dress, a taupe-colored fitted frock that showed off her slim figure, retails for $340 and can be purchased on reissonline.com, although it’s sure to sell out quickly (UPDATE: Reiss’s webste is crashing due to the high volume of traffic today with more of the dresses going up online soon!). She accessorized her look with an Anya Hindmarch black clutch. And this wasn’t the first time the Duchess chose Reiss for a momentous occasion — she picked a cream-colored dress by the high street label to wear in her engagement photos several months before the royal wedding. Tell us: What do you think of the Duchess of Cambridge’s latest Reiss pick? –Kim Peiffer, with reporting by Monique Jessen