Michelle Obama's Style: Unfairly Biased by Ikram Goldman?

[Beacool]

>> The meteoric rise of Jason Wu — he has tripled his sales appointments for his sold out, yet-to-be-unveiled Fall 2009 collection — shows what an influence Michelle Obama can have on a designer. But Wu doesn't just have Obama to thank — he never actually interacted with the First Lady, but rather with Ikram Goldman, owner of Chicago boutique Ikram, and Obama's gatekeeper to the fashion industry.

In fact, none of the designers who have made clothes for the First Lady have had any direct contact with their White House client — all commissions, measurements, bills, and other directions have been mediated by Ikram, causing something of a controversy; the clothes that Obama has worn recently are predominantly from designers that Cathy Horyn points out, "Ikram sells and ultimately stands to benefit from" — Jason Wu, Isabel Toledo, Narciso Rodriguez, Proenza Schouler, Thakoon, and Mario Cornejo.

Traditionally, First Ladies have gone straight to the designer, without any brokers in-between. James Galanos, who dressed Nancy Reagan for thirty years, thinks Obama is "limiting herself" by sticking with one retailer. Oscar de la Renta sent 12 sketches for inaugural contention, Carolina Herrera submitted ideas as well — nothing was ordered. A number of other prominent American designers — Vera Wang, Francisco Costa of Calvin Klein, Michael Kors — were never approached; none are listed as being stocked on Ikram's web site. Obama even seems to have neglected her former Chicago standby, Maria Pinto, as of late. But she does still wear J.Crew and Gap — neither of which are stocked at Ikram, and Goldman approached Tracy Reese — who she doesn't stock — in December for day dresses. The First Lady has yet to wear Reese's designs.

http://www.fashionologie.com/2807324

I had never heard of this woman, but here are some pics.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Those last two pictures -- yikes.

Based on what she's wearing I would hesitate to trust her for fashion decisions. :scared:

[Beacool]

3. If she's a fashion maven,

I'm a Russian astronaut.......

:scared:

[Luminous Animal]

7. Witness the limited suburban mall

rat mind.

[elleng]

22. Not suburban, Not mall

http://ikram.com/

[Luminous Animal]

24. I was referring to the criticism...

to the style maven. I find it narrow minded and petty.

[elleng]

25. It is,

and this will be my last of this, because its NOT ME! I'm POLITICS, NOT fashion!

'The Israeli-born Goldman, whose Rush St. shop is a mecca for Chicago's best-dressed set, stands poised to become one of the most powerful players in the fashion industry worldwide.

Goldman - who was also responsible for selecting the Isabel Toledo pants and tunic Michelle wore on the campaign trail and the $17,000 Loree Rodkin diamond earrings she donned at Monday's "We are One" concert - is known for her eclectic, often edgy tastes.

In a recent interview, Goldman credited funky labels including Comme des Garcons, Thakoon and Hussein Chalayan as her style inspirations - and admitted she's a Jimmy Choo fanatic.

"When you slip on a pair of Jimmy Choos, you instantaneously become a sexy woman," she raved.'

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/fashion/2009/01/20/2009-01-20_meet_ikram_goldman__the_woman_with_the_k.html

[Beacool]

43. Yeah, right.................

"When you slip on a pair of Jimmy Choos, you instantaneously become a sexy woman," she raved.

Not in her case, if those two pics are any indication of what she normally wears.

:7

[Bata]

66. Just FYI

Ikram is Palestinian. Not sure why she changed it all of the sudden.
Also I find it strange that "stylist" shoppes only in a store she owns. :yoiks: That would be motivated seller not a stylist

[elleng]

20. And I am Marie of Roumania!!!

.

[elleng]

21. The 'Boutique'

http://ikram.com/

[Abq_Sarah]

5. That was rather frightening.

[jennied]

19. A lot of designers look like crap...

[NashVegas]

32. GOOD Fashion Consultants Respect Their CLIENTS' Taste and Body

[firedupdem]

2. Bunch of cry babies....She wears what she wants. n/t

[Bobbieo]

6. Any first lady will have a direct influence on a designer if she chooses

that designer's style - Michelle will wear what she want to wear and I think that is the bottom line.

[firedupdem]

8. And I'm glad she does. That is one of the things I like about her...

she's more like the rest of us.

[Beacool]

9. But, if she listens to this woman

it explains why some outfits are hit or miss. Some are lovely and she looks great in them, others not so much.

Like these:







These are great choices:




Her hair looks great in this pic

[firedupdem]

10. Michelle doesn't strike me as the type to listen to just anybody..

At the end of the day I'm sure she decides what she will and will not wear. I'm sure there will be hits and misses no matter who the designer is. Everybody has their own taste in clothing. For the most part, Michelle always looks nice to me. I think the way she's handling herself as first lady is more important than her fashion choices. She represents in her role as first lady with class no matter what she's wearing.

Edit: I'm not going to talk about that lady either....the lady who keeps my hair beautiful looks like something the cat would drag in...can't judge a book by it's cover.

[Beacool]

11. Yes, but I can see her in something from every one of these designers.

Scaasi, Galanos and de la Renta are old school elegance. I love Carolina Herrera and Vera Wang. Calvin Klein would look great on her, all American clean cut lines. Ditto for Ralph Lauren.

:-)

[laugle]

51. Her hair does loook good

with some curl in it. That emerald green dress was my favorite. The other pictures.......well.....all I can say is strange..........

Get ready for the fashion police......LOL

[Beacool]

59. That's my favorite do for her, so far.

It frames her face nicely.

:D

[laugle]

63. If definitely

softens her face........

[Clio the Leo]

13. I love ya firedup but .....

..... but the First Lady of the United States HAS to have some help dressing. Period. Otherwise, we end up with Mrs. Brown ... bless her.



People are going to fuss about what she wears and there's no sense fighting it. Even the best dressed among us have off days. She's gotta have someone making sure she has those rarely if ever.

Even Jackie had help from Oleg....



For that matter, so did Grace....

[Beacool]

17. Mrs. Brown needs better undergarments and a fashion consultant.

Presto!!!

:scared:

[Clio the Leo]

29. I will volunteer to be the fasion ambassador to the UK. ...

... as long as they give us permanent possesion of Stella McCartney. :)

[laugle]

52. Oh...you are too funny.

Undergarments....like a big fat girdle, or a bodyshaper.........LOL

[Beacool]

60. Well, the whole outfit is a disaster.

The dress is a horror and without a bodyshaper it clings to her belly. The stockings are also totally out of place. The only thing passable are probably her shoes. Which brings me to Michelle's shoes. A neutral color would have been more appropriate with that frock than her inaugural shoes (not that they matched that outfit either, neither did her gloves).

:-(

[laugle]

62. Oh....

fashionistas, do think alike, don't get me started.......fashion, hair, make-up, and eyebrows.....I'm in trouble now.........LOL

Levity is good....................

[dalaigh lllama]

4. So the guy who dressed Nancy Reagan for 30 years

thinks MO shouldn't limit herself to one retailer. I'm sure he gave Nancy Reagan the same advice: "Really darling. If you just stay with moi it would be a shame!"

[Egnever]

65. That jumpeed out at me as well.

guess jealousy will make you say anything no matter how stupid it makes you sound

[Clio the Leo]

12. Well, since we've officially made it to the 100 day mark, i'm just gonna say it...

.... as I was polite and didn't say anything at the time.

The Inaugural gown was the ONLY mistake made by the Obamas thus far. There. Now no one can ever accuse me of never saying anything bad about the Obamas. :)

A bit of a qualifier, I dress people in formalwear ALL DAY LONG, it's what I do.

I dont know about the banking industry.

I dont understand the laws governing prisoner detention.

But I know how to dress.

I felt as if I'd been kicked in the stomach when they walked out to the first ball. I mean, at that point, I'd been waiting for that moment FOR MONTHS and yet there they were .... her in an ivory gown and him in a WHITE SHIRT! I almost fainted dead away. If I had a nickle for every time I've told my brides "If you're wearing an ivory gown, your groom must wear an ivory shirt" I could retire. So seeing that made my teeth hurt.




But they're so flippin' cute. How can you not love them?

One of the things we love about Michelle is that she's brought .... dare I say it, booty to the position of first lady. It's a WONDERFUL thing .... but the shape of the dress was all wrong for her body type. She's a pair and that dress would have worked better on an apple. Someone who needed more fullness on the bottom to balance out the top.



So you had that issue, but on TOP of that, it was WAY too reminicent of the gown Nancy Reagan wore to her first Inaugural. A gown she was lampooned for! (not to mention the fact that the Reagans were not exactly the political icons the Obamas wanted to evoke.)



So in MY opinion, it was wrong from both an historical and aesthetic perspective.

I would have put her in something a bit more colorful and not so poofy at the hips.

Now, that being said, practically EVERY THING else she's worn has been KILLER. ABSOLUTE KILLER!!! Especially this...



... man, that made up for Inauguration night big time!

From a fashion sense, she's right more often than not and I dont envy her position knowing that everything she wears will be so scrutinized. But the good news is that the weather's getting warmer, I'm sure we'll be seeing more of my favorite look....

All hail the mighty shift dress!!!



(she just needs to shove the belt down just a teeny bit.)

[Beacool]

14. I didn't like the inaugural gown either.

The fabric, color and style did nothing for her. She also had trouble moving in it, I observed how often she tried to get the train out of her way.

The Galanos was far more beautiful (exquisite beading) than it looked on Nancy. She was too underweight and the gown was not shown to its best advantage.

:D

[Clio the Leo]

15. and she was 80!

Or something. :)

But you're right. You have to have a bit of boobs in order to be able to wear those one shoulder gowns. Sometimes I put my larger girls in those because they CANT wear the strapless.

[Beacool]

16. Good design shows.

You can't compare the quality of the fabric, cut and the way it drapes on the body. Michelle seems to be interested in fashion, but I think a little bit of advice once in a while wouldn't hurt.

Frankly, I've never been crazy about the one shoulder look that Nancy seemed to favor so much.

So far, I have yet to see a contemporary first lady who could rival Jackie when it came to fashion. Having said that, I prefer an Eleanor or Hillary any day of the week.

:D

[laugle]

54. I thought the same thing

about that gown. Obama kept stepping on the train. I bet she couldn't wait to get out of it.

[MADem]

18. See, what do I know? I liked that dress at the Inaugural Ball.

Nancy Reagan's dress was fine too--it was just too YOUNG for her. Her problem was that she didn't have Michelle Obama's arms--she looked like a starved bat any time she moved her arms. She used to wear those one sleeve or sleeveless doo-dahs all the time too. Those batwings were really ugly and noticeable, too.

As for Mrs. O, I didn't like the sweater that looked like she buttoned it wrong, I don't like the dog collar belt/sweater thing, I don't like that big clown bow on the white shirt, and I didn't like that black dress with the big red blotches on it she wore at the Styrofoam set/DNC speech in the stadium.

But all that said, I really don't CARE what she wears. Truly. I am not a snazzy dresser, I wouldn't even make the Sears catalogue on a good day, so who the hell am I to tell this woman what she can or cannot wear?

She can do what she wants and wear what she wants, after all, not only did she have to quit her job and put her career on hold, no one's paying her to put up with this crapola and scrutiny--that's my attitude!

[Clio the Leo]

28. Nah, what she wears ultimately doesn't matter...

... to those of us in the base anyway. :)

But, as shallow as it is, there are folks out there who generally dont care about politics but WILL judge the Obamas by how they look.

He's a piece of cake. As long as we can keep him out of the mom jeans we're fine.

But if I can win a few folks over from the middle or right simply because they "like" Michelle because of how she looks ..... I'll take it. ;)

[MADem]

41. I like her despite her ugly clothes....or maybe it's because of them.

It's nice to know that she can look like an unmade bed just like the rest of us at times!

It also suggests to me that she doesn't worry obsessively about what she's got on. It's like Clinton with the pantsuits--she just has a shitload of 'em, and swaps out the color.

It's a problem for a woman. Fellows just need a few suits and ties. If they're well tailored you're all set. It used to make me laugh that GWB couldn't even do that right....he'd have the most expensive suit on possible, and he'd wear it like it was a tee shirt with a hole and stains on it--he couldn't even put his shoulders back and adjust his tie. Also, I suspect he had several heights of shoes with lifts in them that he wore at different times (making him "walk like a cowboy"--or like a man wearing high heels), because sometimes the pants would be too long on the suits, and sometimes not. He should have had a pair of pants made for the one inch shoe lifts, the two inch, and the three inch!

[Beacool]

45. You made me laugh.

Hillary is a true child of the sixties and couldn't have cared less about fashion. She still doesn't bother much with it. Although her suits cost more than it's apparent (some are over 5K). She does enjoy jewelry though, and Bill has given her some lovely pieces over the years. Now that they have some money he enjoys surprising her with nice things.

:D

[laugle]

55. Have you ever met a woman that doesn't

like jewelry......Hmmmm.....my 21st wedding anniversary is coming up next month......time for some jewelry.........

Have to mark the occasion of course!

[Beacool]

58. Of course you do!!!

Start throwing hints at your husband and pointing at things you like. Husbands can be pretty dense some times.

:D

[laugle]

61. There's not a chance I would have him pick it out!

Sometime's I just buy it and say thanks honey..........LOL

But what do I get him? He's not a big jewelry guy. I already have bought him 2 rings and a dress watch. Any suggestions? He's a great guy!

[Beacool]

31. True, in the end it's trivial.

As for putting her life on hold, it was her choice. Not feeling bad for her or him, for that matter. They fought damn hard to be where they are at, so they'll have to take the bad with the good, just as their predecessors.

:shrug:

[MADem]

40. Well, it was her choice....and it wasn't.

"No dear, I am keeping my jobs, including the one with corporate ties...you go on and run for Prsident, now! Never mind me!!!" Talk about the kiss of death! She had to bow out of her work to avoid slings and arrows, AND to double his effctiveness and campaign for him.

And she's still working, make no mistake. She's just not getting paid for it.

[Beacool]

42. Same as every first lady who preceded her.

They all had to put their lives on hold, in that respect Michelle is no exception.

[MADem]

44. Well "Second Lady" Lynne Cheney broke the paradigm. She kept her job

at the Happy Hatefest er, Heritage Foundation think tank.

[Beacool]

46. Very true and I'm glad for her.

But she couldn't have kept her job if she had been the first lady.

[MADem]

47. I think one day that'll happen though. It may take a "First Man" to do it, though.

Because Americans are still quite sexist.

[Beacool]

48. Sexist? This country? Nahhhhhh..........

What makes you think that?

:sarcasm:

:7

[laugle]

56. Marriage is a partnership.

The decision was made jointly for him to run for the presidency. Being our first lady is an honor and a great opportunity to make a difference in our country.

I doubt very much if she misses her old job!

[MADem]

64. If she does miss her old life and freedom and salary, she's not going to gripe about it.

She was made an offer that she simply could not refuse.

She did tell her husband, though, that she was "only doing this once." She wasn't about to see him be a Candidate in Perpetuity.

I always have a soft spot in my heart for spouses of politicians. They really didn't sign up for that crap. Some do well, others struggle. It's not as exciting or glamorous as it looks. There's constant scrutiny, and an assumption that they're waited on hand and foot, when many aren't.

[elleng]

23. I haven't been moved by her selections,

fwiw.

[cali]

26. OK, I'll confess. I think Michelle's fashion picks have been hit or miss

that goes for both her designer choices and her off the rack choices. Loved the inaugural day ensemble, didn't care for the gown. Didn't love the big bow European outfit that so many raved about, liked the black dress she wore on the same tour. Didn't love the J.Crew outfit she wore in England. Loved the black and white J. Crew dress she wore last year on The View.

[Clio the Leo]

27. Actually, I think she does well with the off the rack stuff....

... it's the designer stuff that can be the problem.

Often that speaks more to the designer than it does the person wearing it though. ;)

[NashVegas]

37. Yep

Michelle favors "va-voom" dresses that scream, "ain't it great to have CURVES?"

This type of dress has been going through a resurgence as professional women want clothes that look fabulous and look sexy without looking slutty. In the 1980s and 1990s we had to buy them at vintage shops, but in recent years designers and retailers have been catching on.

If it were Laura Bush, it wouldn't have mattered, she wasn't exactly setting fashion trends for the 20-something crowds.

[laugle]

53. And never

wear white pearls with a black belt...wrong.........

[demokatgurrl]

57. You're joking, right?

" If I had a nickle for every time I've told my brides "If you're wearing an ivory gown, your groom must wear an ivory shirt" I could retire. So seeing that made my teeth hurt. "


No wonder I don't "do" fashion. I can't think of any look that would make my teeth hurt. Can't get that fired up I guess..

[Forkboy]

30. Damn, did she get a bowl of soup with those outfits?

[ClarkUSA]

33. I'm glad that Michelle doesn't wear the same style over and over and over again in different colors.

She's very feminine and isn't afraid to show off her long legs and slim ankles. And she looked like a gorgeous supermodel on the
cover of Vogue and Oprah as well as in her official WH photo. Most female politicians aren't that fashionable and end up wearing
the same mannish pantsuit 365 days out of the year.

[goclark]

36. I love Michelle's style ~ she is not afraid of wearing what is

comfortable for her and that is as it should be.

She mixes it up and that is also fine IMO.

She is a normal woman who enjoys clothes but is not obsessed with the designer label.

Ms. goclark

[Lars39]

34. If she was going directly to the designers, would she be getting the clothes free?

Or at steep discounts? I've gotten the impression that the Obamas like to pay their own way.

[ErinBerin84]

35. I've read

in a lot of fashion columns that many big name designers are really pissed about Ikram, because they are so used to having their asses kissed and they think the stylist doesn't give THEIR clothes a chance. That being said, while I don't like everything Michelle wears (I like a great deal of it though), I get the sense that she basically wears what she wants and likes to take risks, which I think is great. If she didn't ever want to be criticized, she could wear the same drab Calvin Klein or de la Renta. I'd rather like 70% of what she wears and have her give publicity to younger designers than her stick to the classics all of the time. She's not as predictable, which I love. I really doubt that Michelle just wears whatever this woman tells her to. That said too, I think that Michelle isn't trying to be another Jackie O (I doubt we'll ever have another one). As far as the stylist, there are unfortunately lots of stylists and editors who are um, unfortunate looking (in terms of what they wear,lol), and it's hard to tell whether that wackiness really influences their choices for other people . I'm sure Michelle has heard criticism for wearing the alaia belt as much as she does, but she wears it because she likes it, I assume.

[NashVegas]

38. That's Exactly What It Is

Gotta figure, Michelle went to Ikram for a REASON, and that reason WASN'T because she wanted Halston.

[Doremus]

39. You'd think she could afford a better website.

Not much to it and what little there is is poorly presented, imo. Photos too small, lousy navigation, etc.

[rvablue]

49. Ms. Goldman has done a good job. Now she might try heeding some of her own advice.

That red dress?

Oh me, oh my! :scared:

[niyad]

50. it isn't any of my business what she wears--at least, unlike the previous occupant of the people's

house, she doesn't look like she stole the upholstery to dress.

I care far more about what is being done, than what is being worn.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

67. Did not like the chenille bedspread/inaugural gown.

Too poofy and shapeless. Needed color.

Nancy R. looked awful in a one shoulder gown. Too scrawny.

I liked Michelle's inaugural coatdress and the red dress with pleated neckline she wore to the White House visiting.

I loved her red dress with the little rhinestone bows at the neck she wore to one of the debates.

I noticed she wore a pale green and white sweater combo with the same rhinestone bows on it.

Don't like the weird argyle sweaters. Didn't like the black and red election night dress, but I did not think it was truly awful.

Michelle has a great body and is tall. She has much more flexibility in what looks good on her than most women would.

I like the black/floral dress she wore to the prayer service right after the inauguration.

The only inaugural gown I liked was Hillary's indigo lace number. Modest but not shapeless.

that is my two cents' worth as an art major who studies proportion and fit and color.

[SoCalDem]

68. She should wear what she likes.. and to hell with all the "critics"

After 8 years of brown upholstery fabric, tablecloths & muk-luks, anything she wears is an improvement..

a first lady should look contemporary to her time, comfortable in her own skin and situationally-appropriate..and that's about it..


Other than Pat Nixon's "cloth coat", who even remembers WHAT she wore?.. Nancy reagan had her red dresses, but anything on her just ended up looking like draping a skeleton..

Mamie Eisenhower was no fashion-plate..

Jackie Kennedy was the ONLY first lady who even HAD a "style"..

we just have SO much "press" now that they have to keep coming up with things to "cover"..