New CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Winner!

Looks from Sophie Theallet Spring 2010

CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund has a new winner, Sophie Theallet. As winner Theallet takes home $200 000 and a year’s worth of mentoring! She follows in the footsteps of now much celebrated designer Alexander Wang. Considering this, we should definitely keep careful watch of what Theallet will do next.

Truthfully I hadn't had a chance to look at Sophie's collection before today but she is well known as having worked with Azzedine Alaïa for a decade before establishing resort line, Motu Tane with make up artist François Nars. According to Style.com,"The Brooklyn-based French expatriate...is one of Michelle Obama's Chosen Ones." Guess what Mrs O says is as good as gold. Check out the rest of her collection here.

Chanel Iman with Sophie Theallet

The runners-up, Ervell and Pean, did not go home empty handed as they each received $50 000 and a business mentor.

Can't wait to see what's next for these young talents.

Lady O, Day to Night

After much speculation on who Michelle Obama would wear on inauguration day, as anything she has worn has instantly brought national recognition to the designer of choice, our questions have been answered. She can make those only recognized in the design world, suddenly huge household names. I am really glad to say that she so strongly supports the American design industry, she is a beacon of light in troubled times.

She started the day wearing a sparkling gold sheath dress and coat by acclaimed Cuban-American designer Isabel Toledo, who is best known for her slightly avant-garde style. Michelle completed her outfit with green gloves from J.Crew and green Jimmy Choo pumps. It's good to see her dressed appropriately for the occasion but I only wish was that the size was one size bigger, as it seems to be pulling slightly at the bust and hips. I'm impressed she could look so chic in spite of cold weather!

I'm not really going to get into the family much but President Obama kept it simple with a classic red tie and white shirt with a suit, overcoat and an American flag pin. I wish his tailor had hemmed his pants.

Their daughters Malia and Sasha both wore Crewcuts by J. Crew wearing more accesible American fashion, that in the bright colors and cost was very age appropriate.

For the inaugaration ball, Michelle Obama wore a long one shoulder Jason Wu that featured 3-D Applique treatment. Like First Lady's Laura Bush and Jackie Kennedy, the dress choice was white. Perhaps a symbol of a fresh start? Jason Wu the young Taiwanese-American designer was an interesting choice as he only has 3 seasons behind his belt, but not entirely surprising as he was chosen as last years Fashion Group International's Rising Star award and nominated for a CDFA award. I'm not sure how I feel about this silhouette for her, as I don't find it entirely flattering (esp from the hips down). The First Lady is a beautiful, chic woman, but I'm not sure this gown best represents who she is. Wu could do better, although I do believe that the dress and Wu were discovered by Mrs. Obama at a Chicago boutique, Ikram.

White House of Style

photo of Michelle Obama courtesy of Getty Images, runway image from NY Mag.com

I don't know what the future holds for this country, but there is one thing that seems to be guaranteed, the next four years are going to be full of fashion.

First Lady, Michelle Obama, stepped on stage last night after her husband's victory speech in a red & black hot-off-the-runway look that hasn't even been released yet. The dress is from Narciso Rodriguez's spring 2009 collection and must have been lent to her or especially made for her, which isn't surprising considering the support of the fashion industry for the Obama's. Michelle Obama has been seen in everything from H&M to Thakoon over the past months. I'm not sure if a First Lady's style has been paid so close attention to since the days of Jackie O. Move over Carla Bruni (France's First Lady & former model), there's some competition on the horizon in presidential style.

According to WWD, Vogue is even thinking of trying to get Michelle Obama on the cover as soon as possible.

Although I usually love Narcisco, I am not sure I particularly like this dress. What do you think?

Next Target Go International Designer - Thakoon

Image of courtesy of style.com

I love a great design at affordable prices. With so many designer collaborations as of late, I don't feel like there is a need to go to buy imitations at fast fashion stores. You can support the designers you love without breaking the bank.

According to WWD, Target has tapped Thakoon Panichgul to design a sportswear collection that launches on Christmas Day.
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Image of courtesy of Getty Images

Thakoon was nominated for the CDFA Swarovski Award for Womenswear this year and has a celebrity following that includes Sarah Jessica Parker, Demi Moore and Rachel Bilson. Although not everyone knows Thakoon, most Americans will probably recognize the dress that Michelle Obama wore during her husband's presidential nomination acceptance speech in August.

Image of courtesy of style.com

Thakoon notes about Target, “They were very easy to work with. They wanted a lot of prints, and I chose silhouettes that have done well in the past.” So perhaps we can expect some of the sorts of fun prints that drove the editors into a frenzy during his Spring 2009 show.