THE FASH PACK

This Tuesday, the Obamas played host to the Indian Prime Minister Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur at the White House; a union that was reflected in Michelle’s attire for the occasion. In the day time, she wore a skirt by Manhattan-based Indian-American Rachel Roy and for that evening's State Dinner, a strapless gown by Mumbai-born American designer, Naeem Khan; the perfect choice to celebrate the relationship between the U.S. and India.

Khan, who had been asked to create something “Indian, chic, simple, but very glamorous”, planed the design with Ikram Goldman, Michelle’s unofficial stylist. Out of the 3-4 gowns he created, Michelle chose this stunning abstract floral dress with hand cut sterling silver sequins sewn on nude silk chiffon.

Khan has since been conducting interviews from his Miami home, and said: “I was standing there with my wife, who was lying down in bed with the TV on and Michelle Obama walked out the door. And I was dumbfounded. I mean, I was like, ‘Oh my god, she looks beyond amazing!’ I was so thrilled to see her wearing my dress. I have no words. Have you seen someone with his hands down and eyes popped out? That was me for a few seconds. My wife couldn’t stop screaming. I was so happy I was here with my kids and my wife. It was an amazing moment to share. My heart was leaping.

“To me, this is the biggest honor they could put on me, especially for the country I was born in, and the country that took me in.”

Glamour magazine is fast making a name for itself as revolutionary within the industry. Why you ask? Well the magazine, led by Cindi Leive, promised to honour its commitment to featuring more 'realistically sized' models following the success of its November cover issue.

The plus-sized models, who featured on the cover of the November issue, wearing nothing more than large and content smiles, were clearly an inspiration to the nation. As such, Glamour has actively endeavoured to feature more women of all shapes and sizes on the covers and within the pages of the magazine. In fact, the magazine 'has shot stories for every issue from now through to February using fabulous plus-sized models, and not just in our feature shoots, but also in fashion and beauty," explained Leive.

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Mango is fast becoming our favourite high street giant. Not only because they have recently launched a new more affordable range, so that fashionistas need not suffer too much during the current economic climate. No, above all, we love MNG mostly because it has brought us some of the best celebrity/high street collaborations. Having offered the Monica and Penelope Cruz collections, and ad campaigns featuring Scarlett Johansson and Dree Hemingway, which have all gone towards adding even more of a 'cool- factor' to the brand, word from the Mango mill suggests that Moises de la Renta, Oscar de la Renta's adopted son, has signed (or will soon sign) a deal to design for the spanish retailer.

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Picture Anna Wintour calmly saying, "Yes, we can - yes, I can" every morning as she looks at herself in the mirror. We like to think of her using Barack Obama's campaign catchphrase on a daily basis, now that she's nabbed a spot on a presidential committee.

Wintour and 26 other private citizens were instaled Monday on the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities, which focuses on "arts and humanities education, cultural diplomacy, economic revitalization through the arts and humanities and special events dedicated to recognizing excellence in these areas." Michelle Obama is honourary committee chair, and others including Sarah Jessica Parker, Kerry Washington, Forest Whitaker and Teresa Heinz Kerry also took committee spots.

And before you get your magazine-reading panties in a bunch, we'd like to point out that Wintour isn't leaving Vogue or moving to Washington. Although if she did, we can bet she'd have something to say about the "fashion" on Capitol Hill.

Earlier this week, a panel consisting of Ashley Olsen, Robin Givhan and Isaac Mizrahi, met to discuss, amongst other things, the effect the recession has had on the fashion industry. The expert panel was invited by Cindi Leive, Glamour magazine's editor-in-chief, to sit as guests at the 92nd Street talk 'The Future of Fashion', and were asked their views on a range of topics including celebrity designers, Michelle Obama and designers breaking the model mould on the runway.

Read what they had to say after the jump

Study shows luxury spending isn't so dead [HuffPo]

Forever 21 making 90,000-square-foot Times Square store [Racked]

Estee Lauder changes the skyline [Beauty Counter]

Tim Gunn weighs in on Michelle Obama's Crocs [Stylewatch]

Glamour's plus-size model photo debuts on 'Ellen' [Jezebel]

Prada nails made it tough for models to walk the runway [Allure]

Ginnifer Goodwin says veganism helped her skin [Stylewatch]

Issey Miyake has a new scent [Beauty Counter]

Preview AnOther magazine's Decade in Style portfolio [DazedDigital]

Michelle Obama loves Zero + Maria Cornejo [The Cut]

Michelle Obama, you might have some competition for the most-fashionable first lady award. After throwing a seriously stylish party on Friday at No 10, Sarah Brown carried on to attend Graeme Black's Spring 2010 catwalk show. Naturally, she sat front row - wearing a custom-made outfit of a ribbed jersey jacket and wide-legged trousers from the designer.

Brown has worn Graeme Black plenty of times, and maybe it's the Scottish designer we have to thank for improving the First Lady's fashion sense. "It's all lovely," Brown said of Black's latest collection. "I love Graeme Black...I loved the jackets and the evening wear."

So will our next Fash Off pit Sarah Brown in one corner, Michelle Obama in the other, and maybe a little Carla Bruni-Sarkozy for good measure? With Brown's good taste building, we see it coming.

Narciso Rodriguez's Spring/Summer 2010 collection was a far cry from his A/W collection. He ditched last season's strong warrior woman for someone a lot more vulnerable and feminine. Silhouettes were loose and airy in fresh whites and red on dresses, and loosely structured on a white two piece suit.

Don't be deceived. The collection was not without a healthy dosage of sex. LBDs had carefully placed sheer panels on the shoulders showing a seductive glimpse of skin.

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It's pretty much a cliche by now to say that a collection is so Michelle Obama, but friend of the Pack Lela Rose made a collection pretty enough to make us trite. MObama can mix and match with her J. Crew, so Barack, get on the phone and get your wife some presents.

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