Tag Archives: first ladies

Is Samantha Cameron The New Michelle Obama?

Leonora EpsteinMay 13, 2010 //

With Samantha Cameron’s arrival on the scene, it looks like political fashion is a style subject that’s going to remain relevant for years to come. The wife of new British Prime Minister David Cameron is in the debut stages of becoming a full-on fashion obsession who will likely join the design dialogue already put in place by Michelle Obama and Carla Bruni. In fact, some reckon that “Sam Cam” might even become more relevant, thanks to already being part of the fashion industry — she’s the creative director for Smythson, a luxury leather accessories brand. Samantha’s style aesthetics, like MObama’s, speak to the average consumer in a way that’s fairly new for First Ladies. She dresses modestly, but with ladylike charm, sometimes appearing in jeans (we’re loving that gray T-shirt/jeans combo because it’s so classic and flawless). Keep reading »

Japanese Harper’s Bazaar Turns Michelle Obama Into A Blond Doll

Catherine StrawnSeptember 24, 2009 //

The latest Japanese edition of Harper’s Bazaar presents an interesting take on first lady fashion by dressing up a blond-haired, blue-eyed Barbie-like doll in a number of outfits and plopping her into scenes with various presidents. The animal print-wearing Michelle Obama stand-in is especially curious (take a look at it after the jump). Is this story trying to make some sort of political statement, or is this just someone’s ingenious way to show off new clothes gone terribly wrong? And considering Mobama is already a style icon, is she offended? Keep reading »

Michelle Obama And Carla Bruni-Sarkozy Like To Coordinate Outfits

Catherine StrawnJune 8, 2009 //

During the Obamas’ weekend trip to France, Michelle Obama and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, the two most stylish first ladies we know, got to hang out for the second time. The two don’t seem to want to outdo one another in the style department, and I have a hunch they coordinate their outfits when they make public appearances together. On their first meeting, both wore tie-neck coats (left). On Friday, they appeared at a ceremony at the Prefecture of Caen in belted white dresses. Coincidence? I think not. Keep reading »

Laura Bush Gets A Book Deal

Catherine StrawnJanuary 5, 2009 //

First lady Laura Bush, who, according to the Associated Press, is “among the most reserved and enigmatic public figures of recent times” just got a book deal! Bush will, with the help of a collaborator, “tell the stories of the extraordinary events and people I’ve met in my life, particularly during my years in the White House.” Hmmm…. Does this mean she’s not going to talk about the car accident she was in as a teenager or any of the really juicy stuff Curtis Sittenfield wrote about in American Wife, her novel inspired by Bush? [AP] Keep reading »

Hooray For Hillary!: Clinton Nominated For Secretary Of State

Catherine StrawnDecember 1, 2008 //

Earlier today, President-elect Barack Obama announced his nomination of Sen. Hillary Clinton for the position of Secretary of State. Sadly, the first thing I thought when she stepped up to the podium was that someone should have lowered the microphones because they blocked her face. The second thing I thought was that it’s pretty awesome that a woman can go from being First Lady to being selected for one of the top positions in our government. Sure, Hillary has always had her own agenda, and she wasn’t just deciding what the chef would cook for dinner when she lived in the White House with Bill, but even so, it’s nice to know that a woman can go from being known primarily as the wife of our country’s leader to being known as a leader in her own right, even if she doesn’t hold the country’s top spot. [Change.gov] Keep reading »

10 First Ladies’ Careers Before And After Living In The White House

Catherine StrawnSeptember 4, 2008 //

We hear a lot about what First Ladies do when they live in the White House, but what did they do before they moved in and what do they do after? Below, a selection of the last 10 First Ladies’ occupations, which include a lot of volunteering and creating foundations.

Jacqueline Kennedy
Before: “Inquiring Camera Girl” for the Washington Times-Herald
After: Editor at Viking Press and Doubleday; worked to create the John F. Kennedy Library; led a public information campaign to save New York’s Grand Central Station Keep reading »