There's no question that Michelle Obama has brought fashion and style back to the White House. Not since Jackie O has a First Lady captured the attention of the public and designers alike. With her everyday picks from J Crew and Talbots to her high fashion choices by Alexander McQueen and Thakoon, Obama has quickly become an icon whose every stylish move makes a fashion statement.
A new book by journalist Kate Beck discusses not only Obama's fashion choices but also the meaning behind them in her new book, "Everyday Icon". Beck was featured on the Today Show today. See video below:
This isn't the first book tackling the impact that Michelle Obama has had on the fashion world. Here are a few other books highlighting her personal style:
It's great that the world has taken notice of the obvious...Mrs Obama is beautiful, stylish, and smart, and with such a powerful presence, surely fashion won't be all that she is remembered for.
If you hear the name of the West African country of Sierra Leone and instantly think of Kanye's lyrics from 'Diamonds' , you are not alone. Images of child soldiers and the war torn country have been depicted in not only songs but in movies like Leonardo DiCaprio's "Blood Diamond" and books like A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier. The struggles that they have had over the years are the only associations many in the international community have with the nation. The President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma and ambassadors of the country are aware of this and they are on a mission to change this perception.
BSF was honored to be in attendance at the 50 Years Forward - Celebrating a New Sierra Leone event held November 21st, 2010 at an exclusive reception at the Tribeca Cinemas in New York City. Famed Golden Globe and Tony Award-winning Actor Jeffrey Wright was introduced as the Sierra Leone "Peace by Piece" Ambassador and the premiere of the compelling documentary Sierra Leone: Road to Change, produced by M3 Films was screened at the theatre as well.
The intimate event, hosted by award-winning journalist and political commentator, Jeff Johnson, was sponsored by VeeV and included more than 100 international key influencers, such as Ambassadors to Sierra Leone and the UN, Mos Def, and Best-Selling AuthorIshmael Beah (A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier). There were also performances by Sierra Leone's most prolific Hip Hop group Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew and by R&B singer/songwriter Carolyn Malachi.
The highlight was hearing Wright recount stories and memories of his 14+ trips to the country. In a melodic love letter to the country he talked about about the food, the people, and the countryside and the reasons he keeps going back. It was his affinity and dedication to the country that led him to the Peace by Peace campaign.
Those in attendance and others have pledged to join Jeffrey Wright, to serve as host committee members on behalf of the "Peace by Piece" campaign and to spread Sierra Leone's good news to at least 50 people in honor of their "50 for 50" campaign and to help attract long-term investors and sponsorship for the momentous occasion. The theme of the celebration is "50 Years Forward - Celebrating a New Sierra Leone." April 27, 2011, will mark fifty years of independence from British rule.
For more information about Sierra Leone and its 50th anniversary celebrations, visit www.sierraleoneat50.gov.sl
Naomi Campbell Fashion For Relief runway show kicked off last night at the tents. Everyone from Chris Brown to Kelly Osborne strutted their stuff for charity. Here is a video of the show and a few pics from the the front row to backstage. Hopefully Haiti feels the love!
HBO will air 'The Black List: Volume Three' on Feb. 8 to celebrate Black History Month.
The Black List:Volume Three - the latest installation of HBO's critically acclaimed Black List documentaries presents an all new set of dramatic portraits featuring some of today's most fascinating and influential African Americans, who share their stories and insights into the struggles triumphs and joys of black life in the U.S.
The film is a collaboration between celebrated portrait photographer and filmmaker Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, who direct a, and award-winning journalist Elvis Mitchell, who interviews such notables as fashion model Beverley Johnson, as well as Lee Daniels, Whoopi Goldberg, John Legend, Debra Lee, and Hill Harper.
In response to the devastating January 12 earthquake in Haiti, the fashion industry has pulled together to organize a nation-wide effort to raise monies for the victims of the natural disaster. A $25 “Fashion for Haiti” T-shirt will go on sale February 12 at retailers across the country with proceeds benefitting the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, which is raising funds for immediate, high-impact relief and long-term recovery efforts to help those who are most in need of assistance.
“The tragedy in Haiti has affected everyone and most of us individually have given money for relief,” said Diane von Furstenberg, President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. “However, I think it is now important to send a message and create a channel for funding from fashion as an industry.”
“The total devastation of Haiti is unimaginable. I am always amazed by the strength, talent and compassion of our industry and now more than ever it is essential we come together and help make a difference,” said Ralph Lauren.
The “Fashion for Haiti” T-shirt logo was designed by Peter Arnell, who in 2001 created the now iconic mended heart logo for the “Fashion for America” fundraiser, organized by the CFDA and Vogue magazine, which raised $2 million after 9/11 for the Twin Towers Fund.
Coordinated by the CFDA, the short sleeve T-shirt will be manufactured by Theory under the “Fashion for Haiti” label. It will be available in women’s and men’s styles at retailers nationwide as well as online at www.cfda.com.
Blame it on the recession, but people are paying a lot more attention to the cost of the attire worn in the White House. Perhaps there was a hint of interest during the election when the media and public criticized Sarah Palin for spending over $150,000 on her suits for her numerous appearances. (She reportedly gave them back after her campaign came up short.)
On the other hand Michelle Obama made numerous headlines after she appeared on The View in a $150 dress from the White House/Black Market. She has subsequently been praised for wearing the moderately priced brand J Crew and keeping the first daughters Sasha and Malia, clad in Crewcuts.
White House Social Secretary
Desirée Rogers has been having a bit of time deciding whether or not to disclose her own fashion choices after receiving backlash when credits were listed under photos that appeared in an article stating that she was wearing a Louis
Vuitton coat ($3,370) and freshwater pearl and diamond earrings by
Jorge Adeler ($7,900).
"Rogers has a tough line to walk between what appears
to be her natural inclination toward glamour — for example, sitting
next to Anna Wintour at a fashion show — and the sensitivity of
representing the White House during an economic crisis. At a cocktail
preceding the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in May, Rogers
declined to tell WWD reporters who had designed her dress, although a
White House spokeswoman later identified it as Halston. "
In Rogers’
first magazine cover as social secretary for the Wall Street
Journal’s glossy magazine WSJ. there also appears to be some conflict in her wardrobe. the WSJ article stated:
“Rogers seems of two minds about whether
to wear an Oscar de la Renta ballgown provided by WSJ. for a shot in
the First Lady’s Garden. With a negative from the deputy press
secretary, Rogers demurs.”
The magazine credited Rogers with wearing
Prada, Cartier, Jil Sander and $110,000 earrings from Fred Leighton, among others.
The general public may be mad about money being spent on fashion when there is so little of it to go around, but a true recessionista can see the beauty of keeping up appearances. Dressing the part tends to lift the clouds of stress and depression. Besides as long as no one is spending above their means - who cares?
Who wants the First Family and their staff looking like casual Fridays every day? We need something to aspire to and what better than a great sense of self and style?
