Designers flay Michelle's fashion showdown in Europe
London (PTI): The much drumrolled U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama's fashion showdown on her first overseas visit to Europe has been criticised by top American designers, with some complaining she chose to completely ignore their outfits.
Ms. Obama has mixed her sartorial sources during her first foreign foray â switching between young foreign-born American designers such as Jason Wu and Isobel Toledo, her high street look from J. Crew and new foreign names such as Azzedine Alaia (Tunisian-French) and Watanabe (Japanese). But missing are the big names who have dominated the U.S. industry for years.
The result â some of them are unhappy. And, leading the criticism was Oscar de la Renta, a favourite of several former first ladies.
"American fashion right now is struggling. I think I understand what (Ms. Obama and her advisers) are doing but I don't think that is the right message at this particular point. I do not object to the fact that Obama is wearing J. Crew to whatever because the diversity of America is what makes this country great.
"But there are a lot of great designers out there. I think it's wrong to go in one direction only. You don't... go to Buckingham Palace in a sweater," Ms. Renta told the Women's Wear Daily, known as the "fashion industry bible".
Vera Wang, another famous name who has yet to be used by the U.S. First Lady, struck a slightly wistful note. "I love seeing young designers and their vision and how they grow. On the other hand, I wish she would consider some of us, because I think we also have contributions to make," she said.
However, Donna Karan remained hopeful that her moment would come. "I hope and believe this is just a moment. I hope to be able to dress her and not only dress her but address her, sit down -- I'm interested in her totality as a woman," The Daily Telegraph quoted her as telling the U.S. magazine.
Bridgey Foley, Executive Editor of WWD, a must-read in American fashion circles, has added her own message to Ms. Obama.
"Like the auto and financial industries, fashion is in crisis. Yet the person in the administration best positioned to support its major players â those whose collective vicissitudes play into the economy in a considerable way and whose individual swings of fortune impact the lives of countless working people up and down the supply chain and their families â is giving them the cold shoulder.
"And we don't mean Donna Karan's. No one's asking for a big-gun bailout, Mrs O (at least not yet). But how about a shout-out?" she wrote.
London (PTI): The much drumrolled U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama's fashion showdown on her first overseas visit to Europe has been criticised by top American designers, with some complaining she chose to completely ignore their outfits.
Ms. Obama has mixed her sartorial sources during her first foreign foray â switching between young foreign-born American designers such as Jason Wu and Isobel Toledo, her high street look from J. Crew and new foreign names such as Azzedine Alaia (Tunisian-French) and Watanabe (Japanese). But missing are the big names who have dominated the U.S. industry for years.
The result â some of them are unhappy. And, leading the criticism was Oscar de la Renta, a favourite of several former first ladies.
"American fashion right now is struggling. I think I understand what (Ms. Obama and her advisers) are doing but I don't think that is the right message at this particular point. I do not object to the fact that Obama is wearing J. Crew to whatever because the diversity of America is what makes this country great.
"But there are a lot of great designers out there. I think it's wrong to go in one direction only. You don't... go to Buckingham Palace in a sweater," Ms. Renta told the Women's Wear Daily, known as the "fashion industry bible".
Vera Wang, another famous name who has yet to be used by the U.S. First Lady, struck a slightly wistful note. "I love seeing young designers and their vision and how they grow. On the other hand, I wish she would consider some of us, because I think we also have contributions to make," she said.
However, Donna Karan remained hopeful that her moment would come. "I hope and believe this is just a moment. I hope to be able to dress her and not only dress her but address her, sit down -- I'm interested in her totality as a woman," The Daily Telegraph quoted her as telling the U.S. magazine.
Bridgey Foley, Executive Editor of WWD, a must-read in American fashion circles, has added her own message to Ms. Obama.
"Like the auto and financial industries, fashion is in crisis. Yet the person in the administration best positioned to support its major players â those whose collective vicissitudes play into the economy in a considerable way and whose individual swings of fortune impact the lives of countless working people up and down the supply chain and their families â is giving them the cold shoulder.
"And we don't mean Donna Karan's. No one's asking for a big-gun bailout, Mrs O (at least not yet). But how about a shout-out?" she wrote.
