First Lady of Fashion

Wednesday, 09 March 2011 14:24 Written by  Hiba Abdillahi

It has been 48 years since Jacqueline Kennedy graced the world with her fashion sense. Wearing jaw dropping couture dresses, one of a kind jewelry and having her very own Barbie doll, Jackie Kennedy was a style icon that has left quite an impact on first lady fashion. Nearly five decades later, we have a new style icon, and ironically she is a first lady as well. Michelle Obama proves that she is the first lady of fashion of our generation and gives women of all ages the confidence to dress to impress.

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Michelle Obama is every woman. She is a mother, a wife, a first lady, an advocate and she is also a fashionista. Oftentimes, it’s hard to balance being all these things to everyone and still have time to be a fashionista who is setting trends each day. Many women her age feel that it is no longer about themselves, but about their family and all the other distractions that happen in life. Michelle proves that you can look good and still be all these things.

Michelle’s style differs from the first ladies before her. She adds some old school sense with a modern twist. While greeting Chinese President Hu Jintao, she wore a fiery off-the-shoulder gown with a floral print by Alexander McQueen (StyleBistro). While attending the annual National Prayer breakfast in Washington, D.C., she wore a matte lurex coat with a matching cap-sleeve dress from the Moschino Spring Collection (Mrs-o.org).

For an everyday look, Michelle wore a Tracy Reese Shirred Frock in Indigo Placement Floral day dress to a picnic. On the flip side, Michelle shimmered in a one-shoulder blue gown with a gathered bodice and a bejeweled waistline by Peter Soronen (StyleBistro.com). Recently she was on the Today Show wearing a $34.95 H&M dress.

“She paired the dress with a thick red belt and yellow kitten heels. It appears she did not wear the red sash that accompanies the dress.” (The Washington Post).

Not only does she wear extravagant dresses, she wears stunning jewelry, as well. From Sutra earrings, to Bochic bagel bracelets, Michelle isn’t shy when it comes to accessorizing. Not only is she more stylish than the first ladies before her, she is also more likable. According to Essence.com, “71% of respondents had a favorable favoring of the first lady, while it was 64% for Bush and 60% for Clinton.”

Although it has been said that she is the style icon of our generation, she doesn’t want the focus to be on that. When asked by Today Show host Matt Lauer about her status as a style icon, she said, I take it as a compliment. Its not something I focus on... Everybodys got to get dressed in the morning and put on something. I hope people find it nice, but its not something I focus on.(The Washington Post).

Michelle Obama is a role model in so many ways. She is proof that African American women can achieve so much in life. She is beautiful and graceful. She is a beaming light for women all around the world, living proof that you can be beautiful and have brains. Her style is iconic. Although she is humble, she will go down in history as the first lady of fashion.

Hiba Abdillahi

Hiba Abdillahi

Hiba Abdillahi is a student at Columbia College Chicago, majoring in broadcast journalism. She aspires to be an international correspondent.

Hiba can be contacted at Hiba@glossmagazineonline.com