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Michelle Obama as fashion icon: the first 100 days

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By Meredith Moss, Staff Writer 5:48 PM Tuesday, April 28, 2009

It didn’t take these 100 days for Michelle Obama to establish herself as a style icon. She earned the label on the campaign trail and by the time she took to the dance floor with her husband at the inaugural balls it seemed pretty certain that Mrs. Obama would become another worldwide trendsetter like her predecessor Jacqueline Kennedy.

Both at home and abroad, the first lady continues to make headlines in contemporary fashions ranging from bright purple and red hues to florals and black-and-white prints.

Women across the nation are begging their personal trainers to devise a program that will guarantee “Michelle arms,” and women are grabbing up sleeveless Obama sheath dresses.

Stores such as Target were quick to hire one of Mrs. Obama’s favorite designers (Thakoon); White House Black Market quickly sold out of the Tank Leaf Print Dress that Mrs. Obama wore when she appeared on “The View.”

One for the pages

The book “Michelle Style: Celebrating the First Lady of Fashion” (William Morrow, $19.99) is being released Tuesday, May 5. Author Mandi Norwood, who has written for a number of women’s magazines, chronicles the appearances of a first lady who wears both high-end designer dresses and midpriced off-the-rack mall offerings.

In addition to lots of photos of Mrs. Obama, the book includes quotes and sketches from famous designers such as Carolina Herrera, Nicole Miller, Isabel Toledo and Tommy Hilfiger.

It also offers practical fashion tips, dubbed “What Mrs. O. Knows.”

Here are some examples:

Mrs. O loves all shades of orange. Tone it down by pairing orange with navy, orange with gray, or orange and turquoise for summertime appeal. Orange and white is always fresh.

Mrs. Obama doesn’t go overboard with makeup, but believes manicures and pedicures are essential to good grooming. She favors a soft, blush polish on her fingers, then pops the color on her toes.

Mrs. Obama has turned the brooch into fresh fashion accessory. Pins are an important part of her style: she wears them at the peak of a V-neck, in clusters around a neckline or to soften the edge of a collar.

We’ve been told to stay away from horizontal stripes, but the widening effect is a lot less pronounced with varying stripe widths.

Mrs. O. has resuscitated the cardigan as a preferable alternative to the jacket.

When Mrs. O finds an accessory she loves, she isn’t afraid to wear it again and again.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2440 or mmoss@Dayton DailyNews.com.

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I think she's fabulous!

Amy
6:36 PM, 4/30/2009

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THANK YOU!! Debbie

Doc
4:06 PM, 4/29/2009

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I cannot see that Michelle Obama has established herself as a fashion icon. She is no Jackie O as she has been compared. There is no comparison. Jackie O was more feminine and presented herself more graceful. I voted for her husband also, but I don't get what all the hype is about her being a fashion icon.

Debbie
3:46 PM, 4/29/2009

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Correction of malocclusion may reduce risk of tooth decay and help relieve excessive pressure on the temporomandibular joint. Orthodontic treatment is also used to align for aesthetic reasons.

Doc
3:31 PM, 4/29/2009

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I don't get it. All she is is the youngest first lady in a while and doesn't wear dowdy clothes as her recent predecessors did. I should give her the number of an oral surgeon friend of mine that can fix her hideous jaw structure.
And before you go running your mouth, be advised it's not a "color thing". I voted for her husband. It's a malocclusion thing.

Doc
3:30 PM, 4/29/2009

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