By Charles S. Mombo.jpg)
Mrs. Obama looking beautiful as usual in an outfit designed by Isabel Toledo, a Cuban-born American fashion designer
For millions of American women, Jacqueline Kennedy was the fashion standard by which every woman including African Americans on the public stage was judged. She was the closest thing that Americans could compare to royalty. A fashion icon, Jackie Kennedy created a look that many would like to introduce into their own sense of style.
Her signature, the ladylike essence of Jackie's look is a quality that has returned to today's fashion world. It's a very feminine, confident, beautiful, mystique, and classy look. Jackie was so loved by the American people that her $35.00 pearls were auctioned, and is now the most expensive fake pearls owned by an anonymous person for an unbelievable price of $211,000.00.
If there is such a thing as a fashion torch, I am strongly convinced that it has landed in the hands of Mrs. Obama. No, I am not comparing her to Mrs. Kennedy. Mrs. Obama has her own unique style of femininity, confidence, exquisiteness, mystique, and classy looks. As a matter of fact, she looks good in anything she wears. I can imagine that she even looks good in some sweats, t-shirts and gym shoes.
At a recent first state dinner hosted by the first lady Michelle Obama and her husband, she appeared in a stunning gold and cream floor length strapless gown designed by an Indian born designer Naeem Khan. It was reported that it took forty Indian workers to work on the dress at the designer's parent shop in India. Earlier during the day, Mrs. Obama was seen wearing a J. Crew cardigan paired with a pencil skirt by another Indian-American designer Rachel Roy.
During the inauguration ceremony of President Obama, Mrs. Obama looked very beautiful in a pale yellow gown designed by Isabel Toledo, a Cuban-born American fashion designer based in New York. She also picked an emerging young designer, Jason Wu, for her inaugural ball gown. Wu, 26-year-old is a Taipei, Taiwan-born designer. Prior to the first lady wearing his design, he was an unknown designer who launched his line in 2006. Without a doubt; Mrs. Obama has opened the door to a lot of new comers in the fashion industry. However, I am not aware of any Blacks or African Americans that have benefited from her endorsement.
If I were to criticize the first lady for not wearing outfits made by African American designers, I would be a hypocrite. Especially, since I personally do not have a shirt or a pair of pants that were made by Blacks or African American designers. I do not make my purchasing decisions based upon race or ethnic affiliation. I purchase items that best fit my needs at a given time.
Soundoff:
Does it matter to you that the first lady is not sporting apparel designed by African Americans or Black designers such as Deola Sagoe, Korto Momolu, B Michael, Julian Patrick, Robinson, Duro Olowu, Bongi Gray, Calvin Southwell, Nathalie Konan (NK), Maurice Malone, Stephen Burrows, James Moore or others? If you were to recommend an African American designer to Mrs. Obama who would it be? Or does it matter?
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Mrs. O always looks fabulous and she always represents Black people and women with exceptional dignity and grace. It is not up to her to advertise for Black designers. This is hardly newsworthy. It’s just ignorance. By the way, who are those Black designers you mentioned. I have not heard about them before.
The First Lady Michelle Obama can wear whatever the h*ll she wants. People need to shut up, get over it and make designs she like or work on their marketing or promotion strategy.
If previous former first ladies had made it public that they wanted a dress from only “white” designers she would have been labeled a damn racist. As a matter of fact, has anyone ever research on her past designer dress picks? You might be surprised!!! Does all this mean that all blacks should wear SEAN JEAN or FUBU and, etc. and whites wear only RALPH LAUREN, AEROPASTALE or POLO? I wear wear what the hell I want. I'm not obligated to no one in the wearing of clothing just because of my skin color.
Very intelligent comments, people. I agree with all the above comments.
I'm going to have to agree with all of the above. The first lady does not owe black designers a free ad.
Of Course Bongi Gray is one of the best designers in Africa – Michelle should try some of her designs
Michelle Obama always makes outstanding Choices! She has gotten me to wear some of what is considered a NO NO. Her belts on a high waist are being condemned by some yet she gave me the courage to wear belts again NO MATTER what some one has to say,