Designer Stephen Burrows Dishes on Michelle Obama Pant Suit

by Lisa Marsh (Subscribe to Lisa Marsh's posts)
Posted Jul 28th 2010 at 3:30PM

Michelle Obama in Stephen Burrows on July 19, 2010. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

It's got to be her color.

First Lady Michelle Obama loves that green-ish, acid yellow color, and seems to wear it in every iteration she can find.

Her most recent foray was in a matte jersey pant suit made by Stephen Burrows paired with an Erickson Beamon techno deco belt. Obama wore this ensemble to speak with students from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and the Joy of Motion Dance Center, as they rehearsed a segment from the Broadway show 'Hairspray' at the White House on July 19.

"The color is called 'Sunrise Yellow,'" Burrows tells StyleList. "It's almost the color of Isabel's (Toledo) dress for the Inauguration. We sent it in red, green and a blue-ish teal color," but this is what she kept.

"Ikram (Goldman, a Chicago retailer and Obama's de facto stylist) called and requested that we send pants suits in color," Burrows continues. "The suit is inspired by one I made in the 1970s," and Burrows added, "My family freaked out when they saw it."

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Michelle Obama Style Evolution

Michelle Obama became a style icon from the moment she first hit TV screens. Here, we take a look back at some of her most notable fashion moments.

Style Evolution: Michelle Obama

Pascagoula, Miss., Friday, July 23, 2010
The First Lady wore a Peter Som dress at the christening ceremony for the third U.S. Coast Guard National Security vessel, which is named after the Coast Guard's first female commissioned officer, Dorothy C. Stratton.

Style Evolution: Michelle Obama

Washington, DC, July 21, 2010
Mrs. Obama was dressed in a bright pink Isabel Toledo top and pants ensemble during a White House luncheon for recipients of the National Design Awards. Michelle accessorized with a gorgeous Erickson Beamon pin on the shoulder of her top.

Style Evolution: Michelle Obama

San Diego, California, June 13, 2010
Mrs. O wore a back and white geometric print Liz Claiborne New York dress during a speech at Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base to Marines and their families. Michelle accessorized with her signature belt and simple black flats.

Style Evolution: Michelle Obama

June 6, 2010
The president and first lady attended a taped TV performance (set to be aired July 2) called 'America Celebrates 4th of July', which honored South African Justice Albie Sachs and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu with the 2010 Lincoln Medal. Mrs. O looked elegant in a Calvin Klein Collection silver column dress that she accessorized with a crystal and bow Fenton-Fallon statement necklace (a modified version is currently available at J.Crew.)

Style Evolution: Michelle Obama

Las Vegas, Nevada, June 1, 2010
Michelle joined U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid at the Red Rock National Conservation Area to launch Mrs. O's Let's Move Outside! initiative to promote more outdoor activity for children. The First Lady celebrated summer with a floral Etro cardigan and bright yellow J.Crew skirt, accessorizing with silver ballet flats and a big smile.

Style Evolution: Michelle Obama

May 27, 2010
At a reception in honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, Michelle plays with one of the season's hottest trends wearing a purple and white polka dot dress from Lanvin's 2009 Resort collection.

Style Evolution: Michelle Obama

May 27, 2010
At the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, the First Lady announced a $45 million commitment for social programs chosen by the Social Innovation Fund. For her appearance, Mrs. O wore a dot ensemble by Jason Wu. She accessorized the black dot top and matching pleated skirt with a simple stack of diamond bangles and black belt to give the outfit some shape.

Style Evolution: Michelle Obama

Detroit, Michigan, May 26, 2010
Mrs. O gave a speech about hope and opportunity at Wayne State University, wearing a bright pink dress with matching light pink flats.

Style Evolution: Michelle Obama

May 19, 2010
The First Lady was spotted working out with local students on the South Lawn of the White House to kick off a series of South Lawn summer fitness activities for kids. Michelle wore a black and white floral print top from Talbots, black capri pants and a pair of converse kicks as she ran around with the kiddos.

Style Evolution: Michelle Obama

May 19, 2010
Michelle and President Obama welcome Mexican President Felipe Calderon and his wife Margarita Zavala at the White House State Dinner. Michelle shed her usual "tuck-up" bob and shift dresses for a polished, dramatic look. The sparkly blue gown came courtesy of Peter Soronen, a designer the First Lady has worn in the past.

Style Evolution: Michelle Obama

Check out what Burrows has designed for Target.

Read All Comments

Filed under: Fashion, Celebrity, News, Designers & Brands
Tags: chartreuse, ikram, michelle obama, MichelleObama, pant suit, PantSuit, stephen burrows, StephenBurrows

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READER COMMENTS

(72)Add A Comment

tailor, 7-29-2010, 7:11AM

I have no comment on the color, as it is important that people feel comfortable in what they are wearing , be it color , design or fit. I will say however that the opants are too long and too wide at the bottom and to my trained eye the the pants are very unflattering to the first ladies good physique. while funny to write it seems as if shes wearing stilts ......:-)

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Maria, 7-29-2010, 7:28AM

Speaking of her fight against obesity in America; doesn't she have any mirrors in the White House.

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Margery, 7-29-2010, 7:34AM

No matter what she wears, she still looks like a gorilla.

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cmg, 7-29-2010, 8:49AM

i'm with you, she does not know how to dress.

bluays2, 7-29-2010, 8:56AM

Too bad you have to carry so much hate and bigotry in your heart.

marsha, 7-29-2010, 1:38PM

I agree, nothing that woman puts on looks good on her. She is just a moose.

Lorri, 7-29-2010, 8:05AM

Who cares!!!! No matter waht she wears, she's still FUGLY...

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bluays2, 7-29-2010, 9:03AM

Where did you get such a mean spirit???

panhermes, 7-29-2010, 8:09AM

Wow, MO certainly is one heckofa fab First Lady. For over three score years I've been privledged to see each of our first lady's, all of them individuals and everyone an incredible person representing the best that is the good old USA. Our family has been fashion conscious all along, MO's advisors might offer that jackets, suits, or belt's should never cut MO in half, rather they should be used to emphasize her elegant long line, and err, umm, how to say, delicately, conceal the junk in the trunk.
MARGERY: YOU are NO AMERICAN! Rather your ilk while perhaps in strong evidence on post boards are being phased out-while we may never fully rid our planet of the scourge of ignorance driven prejudices and racism. which MARGARET you certainly represent, soon even you will have no voice. Sure must suck being YOU, carrying all that hate.

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Tracie Smith, 7-29-2010, 8:25AM

There's no accounting for taste. 'A style icon'...hmmmm, maybe an icon for NO STYLE...she is the MOST classless first lady we've EVER had.
She needs ettiquette lessons on how to sit like a lady instead of sitting with her legs all sprawled out. She walks like a lumberjack. I just don't understand why the media insists on calling her a 'fashion icon' when that's the furthest thing from the truth. OH, RIGHT!!! That's what the left is best at...LYING TO THE PUBLIC!!!! I guess they think the rest of us are BLIND. Well those of us who are awake and see what is happening, need to wake up the rest of the country.

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bluays2, 7-29-2010, 9:07AM

Why don't you just call her the "n word" and get it over with? Your bigotry is disgusting.

Knowledge, 7-29-2010, 12:27PM

Be real Tracie, just because she is African-American doesn't mean she's "classless". I personally think your classless...In our history, for the past many years, I don't think there's been a problem with any our first ladies and I find it insulting that you say she is classless for the simple fact of the color of her skin. I thought this country was better than this, but apparently not.

lee, 7-29-2010, 8:36AM

Obama said he chose to go on The View because that is the "only" show Michele likes and watches... that's scary! That show is pathetic!

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Dave J, 7-29-2010, 8:44AM

My vote is Orange....

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Nancy, 7-30-2010, 4:07AM

She always looks great! Does she pay for her own clothes or are they given to her as a gift?

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bluays2, 7-29-2010, 9:01AM

Your pointy white hat is showing....

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txflyt, 7-29-2010, 9:02AM

After looking at several of those style icon 'moments' I must ask: Are her advisors of color as well? I'm trying my best to make sense of just why that woman has absolutely no self awareness. The statement, "Are there no mirrors in her house?" comes to mind.

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t, 7-29-2010, 9:12AM

Far from any fashion icon I have ever seen. Sorry, she has horrible taste in clothes and I don't think anything she wears looks like anything special. Look at that stupid black and red black widow dress she wore, omg, she needs fashion lessons.
Hope they gave the outfit to her as I can't see wasting tax payer money on something that ugly.

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justhorses, 7-29-2010, 9:40AM

The only color I`m interested in seeing her wear is whatever color she chooses when they are on their way OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE!!! That will be a popular fashion color!

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