Celeb Stylist Stefan Campbell Defines the Obamas' Style
The Obamas are in the White House and the confetti from the inaugural balls has all been swept away, but it seems the parties are just beginning. Is America going to follow their cue on what to wear?
Anyone who signed up for texts and e-mails from the Obama campaign last year has discovered that the candidate-turned-president is now using that database to push his policies. On Monday, that meant an e-mail to millions of supporters asking that they host an "Economic Recovery House Meeting" to back the Democrat-preferred stimulus package so disliked by Republicans.
Dour political types might see that as simply an effort to push legislation. But StyleList readers know an excuse for a party when they see one -- and if the Prez wants us to get together every time he has a bill pending, then darlings, you're going to need an outfit.
Style Evolution: Michelle Obama
She claims she's not a natural-born politician. But, when it comes to fashion, America's next new Lady, Michelle Obama, seems to have a strategist's instincts for what will play in Peoria. Her secret lies in knowing how to mix high and low (and we don't just mean her heels). She wears dresses from pricey designers like Isabel Toledo (left), Thakoon and Narciso Rodriguez, whose pieces carry four-figure tabs and are sold in stores like -- yep -- Neiman-Marcus, Barneys and Saks. But she also showed up on the campaign trail wearing designs like the $148 White House-Black Market dress that she chose for "The View" last summer and the J. Crew sweater and skirt that she wore on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno," insisting in her best every woman voice, "You can get some good stuff online."
AP
Michelle Obama looked cool and casual at the Kids' Inaugural concert the night before her husband took the oath of office. Her daughters met their favorite musicians (The Jonas Brothers) and the soon-to-be First Lady pulled out one of her favorite labels: J Crew.
What will the Obama administration be like? Well, Mrs. O has demonstrated a loyal streak when it comes to her choice of designer duds. Although she was criticized in many corners for the Narcisco Rodriguez dress she wore on Election Night, she wore him again at another high-profile event, the 'We Are One' concert at the Lincoln Memorial on January 18, 2009. This time, the reaction was uniformly positive.
Before her move to Washington, Michelle O was a loyal client of a boutique called Ikram, on Chicago's Gold Coast. Store owner Ikram Goldman helped the new First Lady with her Inaugural wardrobe, including the bright purple Maria Cornejo jacket she wore on the Whistle Stop train tour from Philly to DC on January 17.
On the night of the election Michelle Obama made fashion waves in this red and black Narciso Rodriguez dress (left). The designer proved to be a campaign trail favorite and will in all likelihood show up again and again during Obama's time in the White House.
Joe Raedle, Getty Images
The other big winner: Narciso Rodriguez, whose red-and-black confetti-print dress was Mrs. Obama's choice for her Election Night debut. It's hard to imagine it was anything but warm in Grant Park -- where the President-elect addressed an estimated 100,000 fans -- but Mrs. O added a short black cardigan to the tank dress, which came straight from Rodriguez's Spring '09 runway.
Randy Brooke, WireImage.com
Sure she has a law degree, a high-powered job and two adorable daughters. But to fashionista fans, Michelle Obama's most striking accomplishment during the presidential campaign has been channeling Jackie Kennedy -- the trademark flip, the simple '60s sheaths, the no-nonsense strand of pearls. She wore a tangerine version of the look last spring at a primary rally in North Carolina.
AFP / Getty Images
While Barack Obama boasts that he owns five of the same suit -- a dark two-button by Hartmarx -- Mrs. Obama is far more adventurous, especially when it comes to color. Usually, she favors bold shades -- blues, oranges, purples -- but she chose a soft, cantaloupe-colored dress earlier this fall for her husband's acceptance of the Harold Washington Award.
AFP / Getty Images
Their fist-bump got the most attention at the Minnesota rally on the night that Barack Obama cinched the Democratic nomination. Second-most-talked about: Michelle Obama's purple dress by her long-time designer and friend, Chicago's Maria Pinto.
Scott Olson, Getty Images
At the first joint appearance of the Obama-Biden families last summer, Michelle wore a purple and grey shirtwaist -- just the sort of thing Donna Reed would have chosen. And, to ensure that she didn't tower over just about everyone at the Springfield, Ill. rally, the 5-foot-11 Mrs. Obama slipped on silver ballet flats.
AFP / Getty Images
Celebrity stylist Stefan Campbell, who has worked with Kate Winslet, Marissa Tomei, Samuel L. Jackson and Madonna, says it's all about the slim silhouette of the First Couple.
"Keep it all long and lean," he says. "Pleats were so last administration!"
We know that the President opts for Illinois-made Hart Schaffner Marx label suits, while the First Lady sports J. Crew for herself and the kids (albeit one-of-a-kind J. Crew that you can't find in stores).
"The Obamas have a retro refinement to their modern style," Campbell says. That means gentlemen wanting to emulate the look "should be more Sidney Poitier than P. Diddy, and ladies should channel Diana Ross from The Supremes, with a dash of Beyonce."
Sounds like a lot of fancy for a house meeting -- but that's life in Obamalot, baby.
Tags: barack obama, BarackObama, celebrity stylist, CelebrityStylist, fashion, michelle obama, MichelleObama, stefen campbell, StefenCampbell, style, stylist
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Lee, 2-11-2009, 10:57PM
Michelle Obama has an elegant yet simple style. She looks fantastic in the bold colors. I am not too crazy about the "copycat" looks from others, but it is quite a tribute to her anyway you look at it.
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