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Michelle Obama Keeps Her Own Fashion Beat

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Tribune fashion writer Cloe Cabrera says this dress did nothing to accentuate her fabulous figure.

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By CLOE CABRERA | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 22, 2009

So, after weeks of breathless anticipation, what did you think of Michelle Obama's inauguration gown?

The new first lady chose a cream-colored, one-shoulder silk chiffon creation by Taiwan-born, Manhattan-based designer Jason Wu. The dress was embellished with organza appliqués, Swarovski crystals and silver thread embroidery. And it was custom designed for her.

Did the gown wow fashion critics? The reviews have been mixed.

While I am a huge fan of Obama's fashion sense, I probably wouldn't have picked that dress for her.

She's got a fabulous figure — she's tall, athletic and has amazing shoulders and arms — yet, this dress did nothing to accentuate those assets. The empire waist was too high and the length was too long. The color was also a big surprise. I think most people, myself included, expected her to make a bolder statement — say in a royal blue or yellow — particularly since her inaugural day dress and matching coat were so vivid.

One thing is clear, though: The gown was like no other inaugural dress a first lady has worn. And it proves Michelle Obama will continue to march to her own fashion beat.

On the subject of first lady fashion, close to 700 votes were cast in our "First Lady Inaugural Dress" challenge.

We asked three students at the International Academy of Design & Technology to sketch an inaugural dress for Obama. Then we invited readers to vote for their favorite design.

The winner is 17-year-old Jose Erazo.

Erazo received more than 60 percent of the vote for his turquoise, knit-gabardine gown with a trumpet skirt. It has a key-hole shoulder strap and a sprinkling of gold beading along the neckline.

The style is both youthful and elegant. The silhouette would flatter Obama's tall, slim figure and show off her nicely toned arms and shoulders. The turquoise color would complement her skin tone beautifully.

Erazo, who was born in Puerto Rico, has been a student at the academy since January. He began sketching when he was in the seventh grade. It was a hobby, he says, until we went to a Cher concert. "I knew I wanted to design glamorous dresses when I saw her outfits," he says.

Erazo hopes to open a boutique someday. "Fashion can transform people," he says.

Rogerio Martins, 38, of Brazil came in second with 25 percent of the vote, and Antonette Carter, 20, of Greensboro, N.C., came in third place with 14 percent.

We also asked readers to tell us what they think of Michelle Obama's fashion sense. Is it drab or fab? About 60 percent of you called the fashion-forward first lady fab.

The first lady is off to a good start.

HALL OF FAMER

The folks at Good Housekeeping have announced the winners of its first V.I.P (Very Innovative Products) awards, which recognize inventive new products that performed exceptionally well.

The items vary. Some will make you look better, like Revlon's Custom Creations Foundation, which contains two hues and five shade settings that let you dial up the perfect color, and Tide Total Care, which will keep your new clothes looking good wash after wash.

The Hall of Fame Award winner is a product I've been using since it was created: Spanx.

Sara Blakely of Clearwater got the idea for Spanx when she cut the feet off of a pair of pantyhose so she could wear sandals. Her line of body shapers has been smoothing women's bumps and bulges ever since.

"Over the years, we've tested virtually every brand of shapewear, and Spanx always comes out on top," says Kathleen Huddy, textiles expert at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute. "That's because it gives women a great shape without asking them to sacrifice comfort."

To see the entire list of winners, go to www.goodhousekeeping.com.

Have an idea worth Hot Pursuit? Call Cloe Cabrera at (813) 259-7656 or email ccabrera@tampatrib.com. Try on the blog at TBO.com, keyword: Hot Pursuits.

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