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Michelle Obama Responds To Dress Controversy

by Justin Fenner | 9:45 am, January 31st, 2011

Honestly, the First Lady was just wants to wear what she likes.

That’s how she responded to a question from Robin Roberts of Good Morning America during an interview last Friday. The two sat down to talk about the First Lady’s work with military families, the Let’s Move initiative and how she’s getting ready for the 2012 presidential campaign.

But Roberts would have been remiss if she hadn’t asked about the red Alexander McQueen dress Obama wore to the state dinner for China, you know — the one that the entire fashion industry freaked out about. First there was Oscar de la Renta saying that Obama should have worn an American designer, then he explained what he meant to say (which was that she should have worn an American designer). Then Diane von Furstenberg and the entire CFDA weighed in, and we questioned why Obama shouldn’t be allowed to wear what she wants. Cathy Horyn thought Obama was bullied into wearing an American designer (Rachel Roy) for the president’s State of the Union address a week later. This is what Obama herself had to say about the matter:

“Look, women, wear what you love. That’s all I can say. That’s my motto. It’s nice to have on a nice suit, but it’s a lot nicer to change a generation in terms of their health … It’s a better use of my time to focus on rallying this country around our military families. There’s so much that I hope to do in this role that makes a difference in people’s lives.”

The Huffington Post saw the show and reported that Obama added, “I wear what I like because…I gotta be in the dress, so…”

So. That settles it. If she turns up at the next state dinner in Chloe or Versace, we don’t wanna hear anything from the peanut gallery.

GMA 1/28: Cairo Erupts [ABC News]

Related:

Cathy Horyn Accuses WWD Of A Michelle Obama ‘Witch Hunt’
Michelle Obama Goes All-American For State Of The Union [Styleite]
Should The First Lady Dress For Fashion Or For Country? [Styleite]
Oscar de la Renta Was Not Happy Michelle Wore McQueen [Styleite]
Michelle Obama Wears Alexander McQueen To State Dinner![Styleite]



  • Anonymous

    I agree with Mrs Obama what she wears is no one’s business, she’s the one wearing it. The fashion industry is just too sensitive when it comes to what she wears. Get a grip people leave the First Lady alone, she’ an adult with a mind of her own.

  • Anonymous

    Oscar de la Renta knows nothing about international diplomacy. He is motivated by personal interests – that is the main point. Michelle Obama chose a style and color dress that would deeply honor any visiting Chinese leader. She understands what mutual understanding and cultural sensitivity is about. If Mr.de la Renta can learn that he would understand what it means to be a world leader and not just a penny-grabbing business man!

  • Ayanna

    Seriously! People take fashion a little bit too seriously sometimes. The dress looked good. That’s all that matters to me. She didn’t even need to respond to the criticism.

  • Kelleefornia

    If you are the leader of the free worlds WIFE aka: THE FIRST LADY it’s imperative that you represent America and the idea that we should “not” OUTSOURCE anything. If the First Lady isn’t promoting America in ALL that she does… what message is that sending? She is, and should be held to a higher standard!

  • Anonymous

    Sorry to disagree with you, but she wears American designers. She chose to wear a UK designer once in two years and everyone goes bonkers, give me a break. I still say Mrs Obama can wear what ever she feels comfortable in and if some people don’t like it, that’s their problem.

  • http://twitter.com/MarqueeMarc Marcellas Reynolds

    Kelleefornia does your pro-America stance mean that she should only wear things produced in America? I find it odd & self serving that Diane Von Furstenberg would speak out on this as, though an American designer, the lion share of her designs are produces wait for it… IN CHINA. I wonder if the same can be said of Mr. De La Renta? Is Mrs. Obama supposed to take time from her serious duties like being 1st lady, caring about our nations military families & the health of our children to make sure everything she wears, down to the buttons and thread, are made in America? I think not. M*

  • http://twitter.com/MarqueeMarc Marcellas Reynolds

    Independent_Nation this is so on point! While Mr. De La Renta is whining that Mrs. Obama isn’t wearing him or American designers enough, is he producing his designs in the States? Further is he buying fabrics produced in the US? Is he in his warehouses making sure that the people who work for him have their papers in order? It’s a slippery slope that never ends about something as silly as a 1 dress. M*

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