The New York fashion industry isn't too happy with Michelle Obama at the moment. The First Lady has pushed the National Design Awards back from the middle of July to September 13, which bang in the middle of fashion week.
The problem? Many of this years honorees like Jason Wu and Prabal Gurung will be preparing for their shows so won't be able to attend. Gilles Mendel is the only honoree who has pushed his show date back in order to attend. "First Lady Michelle Obama sure knows her designer labels, but her handlers must have misplaced her fashion calendar," WWD wrote.
This week Zara announced the launch of their e-commerce site moving Stateside but UK readers do not despair because you are in for a treat too. This week leading high street retailer J.Crew announced that they are launching their first e-commerce site this month as part of their global expansion strategy.
The retailer is a firm favourite of everyone for First Lady Michelle Obama to Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen and like stores like Whistles, Banana Republic and Reiss, J.Crew sits on the top end of the high street spectrum with prices ranging from £25-£300.
They new season pieces are ready to drop and are looking good. This season's bright coloured capri pants are available and in a homage to all things British, they are also selling a selection of hacking jackets in herringbone inspired by traditional riding jackets.
[Obama] has a very strong presence and has set a new style for First Ladies. I’m sure women will follow her style — it’s simple and elegant. It’s not up to him to give her lessons; Michelle Obama is of her time; Oscar de la Renta is no longer.
”Azzedine Alaia Criticises Oscar de la Renta's comments about the First Lady
Now this is something interesting. While the world's designers are fighting to get their clothes on the back of First Lady Michelle Obama and Carla Bruni Sarkozy, our Prime Minister's wife Sarah Brown, is renting pieces from Graeme Black and picking up any pieces from Marks & Spencer that she can.
Jason Wu isn't the only designer trying to get his clothes on the back of the First Lady. While in the UK, Michelle Obama has been showered with gifts from legendary designer Dame Vivienne Westwood.
The designer has been so taken by the First Lady that she is apparently working on designing a bag in her honour.
On Barack: “He’s always asking: ‘Is that new? I haven’t seen that before.’ It’s like, Why don’t you mind your own business? Solve world hunger. Get out of my closet.”
