Politics | 01/26/2009 10:05 am
Group Wonders Why Michelle Obama Didn't Wear Black Designers During Inauguration

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Michelle Obama was heaped with praise for her gorgeous Inaugural outfits – the white ball gown by Jason Wu, the gold outfit by Cuban American designer Isabel Toledo that she wore during her husband’s Inauguration ceremony. The list goes on. In fact, many designers can’t make cheaper knockoffs of her duds fast enough to keep up with demand. But not everyone’s celebrating Mrs. Obama’s fashion choices.
The Black Artists Association can’t stand the fact that the First Lady didn’t choose any black designers. The group plans on sending a letter to Obama to ask her to include items from black designers in her wardrobe.
"It’s fine and good if you want to be all ‘Kumbaya’ and ‘We Are the World’ by representing all different countries. But if you are going to have Isabel Toledo do the Inauguration dress, and Jason Wu do the evening gown, why not have Kevan Hall, B Michael, Stephen Burrows or any of the other black designers do something too?" Amnau Eele, cofounder of the Black Artists Association and former model told WWD. "It’s one thing to look at the world without color but she had seven slots to wear designer clothes. Why wasn’t she wearing the clothes of a black designer? That was our moment." The group plans on sending Mrs. Obama a letter asking her to expand her closet’s range with more black designers.
Mrs. Obama likely isn’t fretting too much about this style scandal. She’s been busy helping daughters Sasha, 7, and Malia, 10, get used to living in the White House. Chicago Sun-Times columnist Lynn Sweet reports that the First Lady isn’t planning any public appearances until she’s sure the kids are settled. Michelle’s mom, Marian Robinson, is there to help out. Helping her daughters adjust and being "mom-in-chief" is absolutely the first priority – making sure her clothes please everybody probably falls farther down the list.
The Black Artists Association can’t stand the fact that the First Lady didn’t choose any black designers. The group plans on sending a letter to Obama to ask her to include items from black designers in her wardrobe.
"It’s fine and good if you want to be all ‘Kumbaya’ and ‘We Are the World’ by representing all different countries. But if you are going to have Isabel Toledo do the Inauguration dress, and Jason Wu do the evening gown, why not have Kevan Hall, B Michael, Stephen Burrows or any of the other black designers do something too?" Amnau Eele, cofounder of the Black Artists Association and former model told WWD. "It’s one thing to look at the world without color but she had seven slots to wear designer clothes. Why wasn’t she wearing the clothes of a black designer? That was our moment." The group plans on sending Mrs. Obama a letter asking her to expand her closet’s range with more black designers.
Mrs. Obama likely isn’t fretting too much about this style scandal. She’s been busy helping daughters Sasha, 7, and Malia, 10, get used to living in the White House. Chicago Sun-Times columnist Lynn Sweet reports that the First Lady isn’t planning any public appearances until she’s sure the kids are settled. Michelle’s mom, Marian Robinson, is there to help out. Helping her daughters adjust and being "mom-in-chief" is absolutely the first priority – making sure her clothes please everybody probably falls farther down the list.
Read more about: Amnau Eele, B Michael, Black Artists Association, Fashion, Inauguration 2009, Isabel Toledo, Jason Wu, Kevan Hall, Marian Robinson, Michelle Obama, News, Politico, Stephen Burrows, Style, WWD























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