All Eyes on You Mrs. President

Zayna Mosam

The election of Barack Obama has created renewed interest in the American political landscape for many. There is excitement in the air for change as well as for the new residents of the White House. The media have dubbed it the second coming of Camelot.

As the Obama family prepared to take up residency at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue this past January, the world waited with anticipation. Today’s picture of presidential perfection is much more transparent. The Obamas seem to many like the family next door which allows many to relate to them more than they have to previous first families. The couple’s relevance permeates into all areas of lifestyle, fashion included! Many a headline has been written in respected publications about Michelle Obama’s personal style, including  journalists and talk TV hosts describing her look as being in the style of a modern day Jackie Kennedy. The first children, Sasha and Malia Obama have also become fashion icons as their wardrobe choices are praised and the items  fly off the shelves.  Mrs. Obama claims not to have a stylist. She does, however, have relationships with designers such as Maria Pinto, who furnished the beautiful purple sleeveless sheath dress and the turquoise ¾ sleeve dress she wore at the Democratic National Convention.

While many public figures opt to work only with famous established designers and fashion houses, Michelle Obama’s handlers continue to forge relationships with designers lesser known nationally and internationally. From the inauguration onwards, new fame has been brought to designers such as Jason Wu and Isabel Toledo. It is a wonderful and likely strategic statement.

Amongst all of the hard political issues campaign issues last year, as always the image and wardrobe choices of the candidates’ wives made news. A casual dress retailing fro $148 from White House Black Market (an American chain store) worn by Michelle Obama on The View sold out in one day. When asked about her style Ms. Obama explained that she enjoys every day economical fashions as much as she enjoys the occasional designer gown.  Not only is being relatable and economical politically savvy, it became a trend much before the start of the credit crisis. Many designers have expanded their empires by teaming up with retail chains to create affordable fashion for the everyday woman. For instance, the partnerships between Isaac Mizrahi & Target, and Vera Wang & Kohl’s.

Once again we receive the message that it’s not how much it costs, but how you wear your clothing that counts. Of course quality matters, but what matters most is whether you know how to put yourself together (accessories, coordination of pieces, colour combinations etc.) and that you walk with comfort and confidence.

My advice: Wear what you like and wear what you can afford. I’ve known many a person who would rather have designer shoes than a good meal but it may not be worth it. These days even our style icons pull from the rack as well as the couture closet!

Zayna Mosam is a Toronto based image consultant who works with men, women corporations and private groups. She specializes in image and lifestyle management, communications coaching, etiquette and protocol, personal shopping, personal branding, styling, and public image development.