I like the Obamas as much as the next (non-extremist-right-wing) person. Barack seems like a decent guy on an amazing run on his own, without any underhanded jokes concerning his performance in comparison to Bush. Michelle I like too. She’s statuesque, Amazonian, incredibly photogenic and is just as accomplished as her husband. Now I realise that it’s Barack who’s the president, but I would have hoped that our definition and understanding of a First Lady would have evolved with the times.
Now, I love clothes and fashion and I’m of the ilk that understands that clothing is a means of expression. I wouldn’t go so high-falutin’ saying it’s art (hasn’t Any Warhol taught us anything?) but the constant obsession on Michella Obama’s clothing is odd. Disturbing. Frustrating. I’m not saying it’s completely wrong and unfounded. The way costume is utilised in art is truly riveting (says the Art History major…). Art works depict members of court as literally being moulded into their status and rank – the fact that the French liked a bit more cleavage in their dress than the more prudish Spanish with their massive stiff hooped skirts belies more than just colour and fabric preferences. The role of art history and theory in analysing dress is that they also consider the context and background. With Michelle Obama, it seems like there’s such an intense focus on what she’s wearing that all her other accomplishes are disregarded.
It is fascinating to an extent to see that she’ll pull out that Junya Watanabe on her European tour, but sticks to Michael Kors stateside, just as how Jackie Kennedy diligently wore American clothes in favour of her beloved Parisian designers, all in the name of patriotism (and good press). And yes it is interesting how she chooses to represent herself as First Lady, and her fashion acumen is fairly impressive. Whilst commenting on her wardrobe is important, it is only a facet of who she really is and cannot be counted as an entire representation of a woman. Everyone is just so focused on what she wears rather than what she’s done or is doing. People had gotten worked up and distraught over her choice of a kooky, Japanese designed cardigan, or that she chose an inoffensively pretty, white frothy dress highlighted so many flaws that are emerging in this changing world. We as a society are incredibly dependent on visuals, and it’s alarming how her choices in dressing herself can cause such an uproar. The constant desire to cast her as a new Jackie Kennedy is at the worst, highly inappropriate, and the best, unnecessary. One becomes a fashion icon over time and legacy, thus this sudden emphasis on her supposed ‘fashion icon’ status also reflects the media’s need to find their next 15 minute celebrity.
Whilst I think an healthy interest and analysis of her sartorial choices should and can coexist with people understanding and knowing her as a person with amazing accomplishments, it doesn’t seem to be happening. To everyone, they’re more amazed that she’s married to the president and dresses well in outfits that are gasp, sleeveless, that they think they’re her greatest feats. Michelle Obama did undergraduate studies at Princeton, and later did law at Harvard, ultimately working at a law firm where she famously met Obama, as a mentor to the young summer associate. Clothes are great and all, and they’re fun, but they’re not the be all and end all, surely there are more important things to focus on that are more worthwhile of our attention and energy. As Rachel Zoe would say, “it’s just clothes, we’re not saving lives”.
