"Austerity Chic" rules First Lady fashion

This morning I am celebrating four more years for Barack Obama and, four more years for fashion. 

During the Obama's first presidential term, the fashion industry lapped up every detail of Michelle Obama's wardrobe daily. There's even a blog dedicated to her outfits. She possesses the power to wow and woo us by embracing young designers like Jason Wu or Prabal Garung, her clever accessorizing and constant mix of high and low labels.

Michelle is a poster girl for the mantra, "you can buy fashion, you can't buy style." A fashion "icon" the media calls her, proving it's not the labels alone but how you put it together.  Yadda yadda yadda. And yet there she was last night, the second biggest night of her husband's life, in a recycled Michael Kors dress she first sported three years ago for a White House holiday party. The fashion world cooed a quiet, almost inaudible, "You go girl."

photo courtesy Hello Magazine

And to think, people in my circles seriously worry over wearing something that's already been seen in photos by all of their Facebook friends. Yes, really.

In fact, many of Michelle's outfits on the campaign trail weren't straight off the runway, but rather straight out of her closet. Her "austerity chic" choices with an emphasis on American lines like J. Crew, BDBG, Diane Von Furstenberg and even Jason Wu's forthcoming contemporary line Miss Wu (not in stores until 2013) were a smart move, intended not to alienate voters with her fashion choices. 

While Ann Romney presented ladylike style throughout the campaign - ever elegant in labels like Reed Krakoff, Alfred Fiandaca and Oscar de la Renta - the mass-market, approachability of Michelle Obama's choices were a stark contrast. 

But after last night, it's clear that Barack Obama has another problem brewing on the horizon. His daughters, Sasha and Malia, are becoming fashionable figures in their own right. It won't be long before the public turns their constant gaze to these two. So don't be surprised if the sisters have to slug it out in online "who wore it best" polls before the inauguration.

photo courtesy Yahoo.com

NY Report: Fashion Group International Conference

I just returned from five days in the Big Apple where I attended Fashion Group International's regional directors' conference. FGI is a professional, not-for-profit organization made up of executives, designers and entrepreneurs founded in 1930.

A group of 17 women, including Eleanor Roosevelt and Vogue's editor-in-chief, created FGI at a time when most women didn't work, and those who did rarely had high profile positions or the respect of men. Talk about progressive. (Sadly, women today are still undercut by the gender bias - just read Tina Fey's new book Bossypants for 21st century proof.)

"Each held a job of consequence in the business of fashion, each held all the others in high regard and together they held a belief that fashion needed a forum, a stage, or a force to express and enhance a widening awareness of the American fashion business and of women’s roles in that business."*

There are now 30+ chapters worldwide helping to advance all professionals working in fashion, beauty and interior design. Diane Von Furstenberg and Anna Wintour sit on the Advisory board. The organization is led by Margaret Hayes, who was the first female senior vice president and general merchandise manager at Saks. (Again with the progressive women!) Toronto's chapter was founded in 1956 and is one of the largest and most successful. While in New York, our group won an international Merit Award for 2010 programming. I'm proud to be the incoming regional co-director for 2012. Until then, I will continue to promote our FGI news and efforts here.

You can follow us on Facebook and Twitter. And if you are interested in becoming a member, check us out here or contact me at leesa[at]fgitoronto[dot]org. 

Join us May 18th for i2i: Insights into Interiors at John Paul & Co. (122 Avenue Road, south of Davenport). The event is open to both members and non-members and begins with a networking cocktail hour followed by a panel discussion.

* From the official Fashion Group history.