The fashion industry vs. Michelle Obama
Some in the American fashionistas think the First Lady should wear more homegrown designers, but she says she wants to focus more on her causes and less on her clothes
Last month, Michelle Obama incensed the American fashion industry by wearing a dress by British designer Alexander McQueen to the China state dinner. Designer Oscar de la Renta questioned the decision, given that the visit was meant to promote American-Chinese trade. The First Lady responded to the criticism on ABC's "Good Morning America" saying her motto was "wear what you love" and adding that she needs to devote her attention to her core issues such as health and military families, not the fashion industry. That only further incensed fashionistas, and this week Obama again addressed the issue at a White House lunch, saying "I like to patronize American designers," but, in the end, "clothes are just the thing that you wear to do the stuff you need to do." Is that view too short-sighted for a first lady? (See Michelle Obama's "Today" interview)
What she wears really does matter: The First Lady and the fashions she chooses "can make a world of difference in people's lives," says designer Nanette Lepore in The Huffington Post. She has put young American designers like Jason Wu "on the map" by wearing their clothes, and, by promoting American clothes on "the international stage," she can help a struggling "industry that is in danger of leaving our shores permanently." I wish she'd realize that she "can support her causes and simultaneously support a valuable American industry and the thousands of people it employs."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Her critics are somewhat justified: While certain occasions, such as the inauguration, justify the "vigorous fashion scrutiny" the First Lady receives, her clothing choices have taken on an "outsize importance," says Robin Givhan in The Daily Beast. Since "China's president had asked for an all-American evening," Obama probably should have worn clothes by a quintessentially American designer like Ralph Lauren. Still, part of the appeal of Obama's style is that she sees fashion as "a matter of personal expression."
It's complicated: A first lady doesn't "have the luxury of saying whatever she wants," says Sadie Stein at Jezebel. Still, her declaration that you should "wear what you love" shouldn't be "read as an indictment of American fashion." When she wears fashion by an American designer, as she often does, it's because she genuinely loves it, not to project an ideology. "Isn't that as much of a vote for American fashion as anything?" Besides, if "she did profess an abiding love for fashion" — à la Nancy Reagan or Jackie Kennedy — that would open her up to a "whole different kind of criticism."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
What power does Elon Musk hold as a campaigner?
Talking Points The world's richest man is going all in to get Donald Trump elected in November — whether it will make a difference is entirely unclear
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Some of the delay is needless'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Why does Donald Trump want to free the founder of an online black market?
Today's Big Question Ross Ulbricht was sentenced to life in prison for creating the Silk Road market
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockade
Speed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court rejects challenge to CFPB
Speed Read The court rejected a conservative-backed challenge to the way the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is funded
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published