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Maria Pinto Closes Chicago Boutique. What's Michelle Obama to Wear?

by Lesley Kennedy (Subscribe to Lesley Kennedy's posts)
Posted Feb 15th 2010 at 4:26PM  
73 Comments
Share

Michelle Obama in a Maria Pinto dress for the final primaries. Photo: Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

Even designing dresses that turned Michelle Obama into a fashion trendsetter couldn't keep Maria Pinto in business.

The designer has closed the doors to her Chicago boutique, reports the Chicago Sun-Times, and she is expected to seek bankruptcy protection this week.

Pinto tells the Sun-Times "economic challenges and soft buying trends at the top end of the apparel market" contributed to her business woes.

''I am confident that the 'Maria Pinto' name will not go away, but will merely take a break, before emerging in a new form," she tells the newspaper.

"I plan on using the next several months to explore different avenues and opportunities for business, as economic conditions improve."

In addition to dressing Obama (see the purple sleeveless sheath dress she wore for the final primaries?), Pinto's customers also included Oprah Winfrey and several Chicago socialites and civic leaders.

Pinto studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and New York's Parsons School of Design and Fashion Institute of Technology, and worked for Geoffrey Beene in her first fashion job. In 1991, she launched her own line, which was carried in stores including Bergdorf Goodman, then she opened her Chicago boutique in 2008, according to the paper.

And, if there's any debate on Michelle Obama's style power, here's a look at her first 100 days of fashion.

Read All Comments
Filed under: Fashion, News, Designers & Brands
Tags: bankruptcy, chicago, geoffrey beene, maria pinto, michelle obama, oprah winfrey, Retail News, Store Closings
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READER COMMENTS

(73)Add A Comment

Madison, 2-16-2010, 2:33PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Madison

Is it me, or does it seem as if everything the Obama's come in contact with has failures?

Reply »

Really??!!, 2-16-2010, 7:18PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Really??!!

Yea, alot like Geo Bush - even before he was "prez"

»

Really??!!, 2-16-2010, 7:24PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Really??!!

Yea, kind of like Geo. Bush - even before he became "president".

»

Bill, 2-16-2010, 2:46PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Bill

Dont worry obama care will help you.. LOL!!!!!!!

Reply »

lee, 2-16-2010, 2:47PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
lee

might be a good thing for Michelle, so far her style has been a "blue light" K-Mart special! So far her style has been trashy and cheap looking!

Reply »

Maria, 2-16-2010, 2:49PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Maria

Honestly, I just want someone to explain why is called a " Best Dressed "
Please get rid of the BELTS... NOW - they do not do anything for yur figure....
and those COLORS - pls let go of the Orange & Yellow and Purple - those
colors dont go with her Skin Tone.............

Reply »

rob, 2-16-2010, 3:00PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
rob

there are layed off blue collar workers wondring what they'll eat this week ...hello

Reply »

Maria Hoyos, 2-16-2010, 3:06PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Maria Hoyos

Please can someone tell Mrs. O to get rid-of-the-BELTS...... Belts DO NOT - DO NOT
do her any justice....

Reply »

bhsnell, 2-16-2010, 3:10PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
bhsnell

K-mart is even to good for her. they need to get out of the white house. its the white. get it

Reply »

pam, 2-16-2010, 3:31PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
pam

What makes you so quick to find someone. And.... if you put yourself out there as a doctor then expect to be set up. Its just my opinion.

Reply »

janice, 2-16-2010, 3:35PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
janice

No, don't mind you being a doctor, but learn how to spell. registration!!!

Reply »

wmerr58523, 2-16-2010, 3:41PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
wmerr58523

Who cares??????

Get a LIFE !!!

Reply »

bj, 2-16-2010, 6:16PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
bj

I agree with you. Who Cares?

»

kab, 2-16-2010, 3:41PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
kab

she can thank the bo man and his old lady for it. like the rest of us, out of work, and broke!
the b.o. man is spending every last dime on bailouts and buyouts. not to mention the excessive first class travelling everywhere he and the mo go. and she, has more
people looking after her hair, botox and the rest, than any one person previously in the white house. now, he cares about jobs, instead of shoving a health care plan most
don't want. it's too late, he's screwed us big time.

Reply »

kab, 2-16-2010, 3:48PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
kab

she can thank the bo man and his old lady. like the rest of us, out of work and broke!
he has spent every last dime of ours on bailouts and buyouts. excessive travelling
on our time. now, he cares about jobs?? instead of shoving a health care plan most
don't want. the mo has more help than any previous administration in helping her
with her makeup, clothes, botox, hair... too late, we're all screwed.

Reply »

basketpam, 2-16-2010, 4:12PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
basketpam

Do you know how to read? Are you English literate? Please explain to me WHAT your comments have to do with a woman's clothing store in Chicago going out of business? Talk about someone just spouting off at the mouth, just ranting just to hear themself speak, then that's you. Pay attention buddy if you want to pass the class. Next time, stick to the subject. All you do is make yourself look foolish and I imagine no political party is needed to help you do that!

Reply »

tamtam20012, 2-16-2010, 4:01PM

Half a star vote downvote upReport
tamtam20012

I love her clothes. Maybe she did too much too soon. I hope she is able to regroup and come back stronger.

Reply »

Stevef123811, 2-16-2010, 5:32PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Stevef123811

"Did to much" what?

»

kcl, 2-16-2010, 4:06PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
kcl

she could wear a tent

Reply »

Ro, 2-16-2010, 4:05PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Ro

The bigots will seize any opportunity to spout their hatred of anyone not like them. Just FYI I am a Repub who is not happy with this problematic economy, and would like to see some improvement in the way of jobs. I agree on some of the efforts of Pres. Obama & his administration, and disagree with some others. Can't this be a source of discussion & debate without injecting disgusting raciist remarks? We have come a long way in this country in race relations, and it is obvious we have a long way to go. For your further info - I am not a person of color & I am from the Elderly generation. Who woulda' thunk it huh??

Reply »

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