Michelle Obama Wore Christian Siriano and Made a Powerful Statement
In her eight years as FLOTUS, Michelle Obama has fought childhood obesity, given resounding speeches like the one she delivered last night at the Democratic National Convention and has quietly championed young American designers. She helped put Jason Wu and Prabal Gurung on the global map, gave J.Crew the kind of boost brands only dream of and recently stepped out in Altuzarra and Creatures of the Wind-labels that read like a CFDA ballot. She wore Carolina Herrera on her and President Obama's historic trip to Cuba earlier this year and Oscar de la Renta-after the late designer publicly admonished the First Lady for donning Alexander McQueen in China.
Doubtlessly, Obama has effortlessly entered the echelons of timeless style icons-joining rank with famed First Ladies Jacqueline Kennedy and Nancy Reagan. But the simple blue crepe, cap sleeve, cinches waist dress that she wore last night said a lot more than its quiet presence might suggest.
The gown was created by Christian Siriano, a New York based designer who recently made headlines after he dressed Leslie Jones, the very tall, very funny star of the new "Ghostbusters," reboot. Siriano stepped in to outfit Jones for the film's premiere after the actress complained on Twitter that no designers would dress her-prior to the comedienne being viscously, racially attacked on the platform, so much so that the social media site had to step in to regulate. As the former Project Runway winner told the New York Times, "I just don't think anyone should be excluded from having a beautiful dress."
In contrast, last week at the Republican National Convention, Melania Trump donned a white, dramatic sleeve dress by the British designer Roksanda-purchased from net-a-porter.com. While she looked lovely in the frock, it certainly didn't serve a patriotic or political agenda.
In her time as FLOTUS, Michelle may have swayed to Beyonce in Jason Wu, but wearing a minimal cobalt gown to quietly stand with designers who stand with women might be even more impactful.
