What Will Michelle Obama Wear In India?
From India Real Time.
When the U.S. presidential couple arrives in India, most people are likely to be closely watching President Barack Obama, hoping for a taste of his soaring rhetoric. But at least some will be keeping their eyes on first lady Michelle Obama — and her frocks.
In the past few years, Mrs. Obama’s style has attracted a considerable following. So much so that a recent study measured how the first lady’s fashion choices drive clothing sales and even stock prices.
But there is more in Mrs. Obama’s style than her penchant for pretty clothes: the first lady appears to have mastered the aesthetics of wardrobe diplomacy. We spoke to blogger Mary Tomer who’s been keeping a very close tally on what – and who – Michelle Obama has been wearing since she set foot in the White House. Edited excerpts.
WSJ: What will you be looking out for?
Ms. Tomer: I’ll be wondering whether she will be referencing Indian culture — from the gowns straight to the accessories—like she did when Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and First Lady Gursharan Kaur visited the U.S. in November 2009.
WSJ: What did she wear in that occasion?
Ms. Tomer: Michelle Obama wore a tangerine brocade dress and coat by an American designer, Isaac Mizrahi, while India’s First Lady wore a green sari. You just couldn’t help wonder whether it was done on purpose to match the colors of the Indian flag.
At the state dinner that followed, Michelle Obama wore a very glamorous gown, heavily embellished with sequin, by Indian-American designer Naeem Khan. The gown was actually constructed in his family workshop in India. The first lady also wore a mile-long stack of bangles.
WSJ: What message will she try to convey in India?
Ms. Tomer: A particular notion of American style and sophistication while honoring the culture and fashion of the country she’s visiting. It’s not just aesthetics — it’s also a sense of diplomacy.
The visit comes at a time of widespread distrust of institutions and economic frustration at home — so she’s generally avoiding anything too opulent. But given the tradition of embellishments in Indian fashion this may be an occasion for her to have her glam moment without seeming insensitive.
WSJ: Whom is she likely to wear?
Ms. Tomer: It’s likely to be a celebration of Indian-American designers.
Naeem Khan said the first lady had several other gowns by him and was excited to see when she was going to wear them. This may be the chance to do it, although it kind of depends on her schedule.
She recently wore a necklace by jewellery designer Ranjana Khan, Naeem’s wife. I wouldn’t be surprised if she wore more of her pieces on this occasion. Michelle Obama is known for her statement necklaces.
She’s also likely to wear Rachel Roy, an Indian-American designer who is a regular in her style repertoire.
WSJ: What about on other trips abroad?
Ms. Tomer: She’s always used her style as a powerful means of communication, especially when she travels overseas.
When Michelle Obama met the Pope in Rome, for instance, she wore head-to-toe Moschino to pay homage to Italy’s rich fashion history. She wore all black and a veil over her head, in sign of respect. It showed that she was willing to change an element of her style for the occasion — it makes you think the sari is in the realm of possibility.
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Sources: CNN, Daily Mail, Huffington Post, Wall Street Journal, Youtube, Google Maps
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