QUICK TAKES - Feb. 11, 2009
It’s official: Michelle Obama is the first lady of American fashion, appearing on the cover of the March issue of Vogue.
Every first lady since Lou Hoover -- save Bess Truman -- has been photographed for the high-fashion magazine. Mrs. Obama appears wearing a magenta silk sheath dress by Jason Wu, who also designed her inaugural gown.
Mrs. Obama said she is aware of how her wardrobe is being scrutinized, but she makes no apologies for her choices -- even the election night combination of ripped-from-the-runway, fashion-forward dress and plain-Jane cardigan.
“I’m not going to pretend that I don’t care about it,” she said. “But I also have to be very practical. In the end, someone will always not like what you wear -- people just have different tastes.”
She did choose outfits for the Vogue photos by labels she has worn before, including, in addition to Wu, Narciso Rodriguez, the designer of her election night dress; and J. Crew, which she and her children have famously worn.
