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Politics | 01/26/2009 10:05 am

Group Wonders Why Michelle Obama Didn't Wear Black Designers During Inauguration

By The Staff at wowOwow.com
Image: Flickr
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.

95 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Diana T
I have a sense that Michelle Obama isn’t losing a lot of sleep with people’s opinions of her wardrobe. In addition, it doesn’t matter what she wears; someone’s going to complain about the designer, the color, the style. Let’s let Michelle Obama just be herself. And, I am sure if she finds a black designer she likes, she will wear the garment.
By Diana T on 01/26/2009 10:12 am
DeBúrca obj
I agree with you Diana. In fact the only thing that Michelle Obama has even made any response to is that toy company exploiting her daughters with their dolls.
By DeBúrca obj on 01/26/2009 10:21 am
Diana T
I love her outfit in the picture that goes with the article. Those dolls are awful looking…
By Diana T on 01/26/2009 12:33 pm
alex harvey
She may not be losing any sleep, but she’ll lose black supporters for this. She will do the typical Obambi thing to do and fix her image by buying black designers clothes in the future. Its not about her finding a black designer she likes. She knows the names of all of them.
By alex harvey on 01/26/2009 4:19 pm
DeBúrca obj
What planet are you living on? Black voters will not vote for her husband unless she only uses black designers? And who will they vote for instead, the GOP?? Sarah Palin for prez ?
By DeBúrca obj on 01/26/2009 4:30 pm
Irish Eyes NY
i may be wrong (this is rare) but I believe Alex said she would loose black supporters. She/He said nothing about black voters for her husband.
By Irish Eyes NY on 01/26/2009 8:38 pm
DeBúrca obj
Well, since she is not running for anything, she really can’t lose black supporters for herself, it would have to be for her husband. And anyone who thinks that black people are stupid enough to not support the Obamas because she didn’t use a black designer is really mistaken. Sure, they’ll lose support if the president goes Republican on them and votes against everything he was voted in for, but not over a dress. This black design group is just exercising their right to complain, they are not going to stop supporting the Obamas because of who she chooses to design her clothing.
By DeBúrca obj on 01/27/2009 8:30 am
Diana T
It’s a sad thing to base one’s support or lack thereof on what this woman wears and what designers she chooses. Especially since she has worked so hard to promote black causes. If that’s a criteria, it seems a little shallow to me. Of course, she is looking at all possibilities, if she’s like the rest of us when we make our clothing choices.
By Diana T on 01/26/2009 6:18 pm
Seventh  West
and you know this how? just maybe Michelle Obama does wear black designer clothing in private. i believe as a first african american lady, yes she should fix the problem. she’s black. i’m in no way saying Michelle Obama should wear all black designs, but why not include black designs in public, just like she wears j-crew, Isabel Toledo and what’s his name etc…and just maybe she chose to wear their designs to fix her image.
By Seventh West on 01/27/2009 3:46 am
Lori F.
What an idiot! Blacks will not be leaving Obama or Michelle over this! They voted for the idiot at 99% and now they will leave him over a dress? Please spare me this crap!
By Lori F. on 01/27/2009 6:47 am
Irish Eyes NY
Lori F. Hi, you are a girl after my own heart. Say it like it is, honey.
By Irish Eyes NY on 01/27/2009 12:03 pm
Victoria J
Alex you are so wrong. I for one could care less whose clothes she wears….black women do not like to be told what they HAVE to do by anybody…I suspect that is true of most women particularly when you are talking about how they see themselves. You do not change horses in midstream. With Michelle being so busy during the Inaurgural period, She never had a fitting for any of those oufits she wore during the inaugural week. The designers were fed her measurements. My point is you go with designers you know or let the person whose shop has been dressing you find you people to design for you. Why, because you never begin a relationship with an unknown at a critical time, when you need something delivered. Go back and read what you said…”it’s not about her finding a black designer she likes. She know the names of all of them.” To know their names does not means she likes their designs ? What the heck are you talking about….and sorry you can’t be pissed off at white entitlement and then endorse black entitlement.. …as the First Lady, and in much the same way that most First Ladies attempted to do, she will wear a variety of American designers…its what they do…
By Victoria J on 02/05/2009 1:16 pm
Faye Davis
It’s not that anyone wants Michelle Obama to lose any sleep over this. However if African Americans that rise to positions of authority do not reach back and give others an opportunity, who will? It doesn’t mean that Michelle Obama has to always select black designers, but simply give them a chance to. There is a saying in the black community. Each one teach one. I would hope that the Obama’s remember this.
By Faye Davis on 01/26/2009 5:18 pm
Diana T
I’m sure she does give them consideration. One thing she does is look at all the designers that aren’t so well known—primarily American ones that are under the radar.
By Diana T on 01/26/2009 6:15 pm
Seventh  West
right on Faye! Amanu Eele was in no way “hating” on Michelle Obama like others are implying. Amanu was simply stating that if Michelle Obama’s intentions were to reflect inclusiveness, then why not include African American creations. It’s silly to beat down Amanu Eele for voicing a valid concern. Whereas for centuries African Americans stood on the outside hoping, fighting, dying, starving for recognition and inclusiveness. Those who perceive her concerns as a form of hostility or ignorance either don’t understand, can’t relate or have deluded themselves. Moreover, some Americans seem quite comfortable with African Americans forever being the last to “get theirs”. here’s a quote “if nothing truly bothers you, then nothing will truly change”…just ask President Obama…
By Seventh West on 01/26/2009 10:40 pm