The Fashion Statement: The Obama Effect

by Kristin Young (RSS feed)
Nov 19th 2009 at 9:00AM

Michelle Obama seems to be single-handedly thrusting unknown designers into the fashion stratosphere. First, there was Jason Wu who, before the now infamous Inaugural Gown, was known only in fashion circles.

Sophie Théallet is the latest no-name to get noticed arguably from being a favorite of today's jackpot when it comes to celebrity endorsements, the First Lady. Earlier this week the French-born designer, who specializes in boho-luxe designs (read: very expensive and pretty hippie-like dresses), won the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund which gives $200,000 to deserving upstart designers. While the honor is voted upon by members of the CFDA, it certainly didn't hurt that only months before, Michelle Obama wore Théallet's dresses to a number of events including Senator Edward Kennedy's funeral.

So who is Sophie Théallet? Turns out, she's one of those behind-the-scenes stars of the design world. According to her bio, she was tapped by Parisian department store Le Printemps to design her own collection right out of design school. After that, she paid her dues as an assistant designer to Jean-Paul Gaultier and Azzedine Alaïa where she was dubbed his right hand woman.

Three years ago, she moved to New York and started freelancing for various fashion brands. In 2005, she launched resort line Motu Tane with beauty guru Francois Nars.

Gallery: Sophie Theallet Fashion Statement

As for her three-year-old label, Théallet is first and foremost a dressmaker. She does little else. Standouts for Spring 2010 include an orange short-sleeve wrap dress with fuchsia accents and a floor-grazing long velvet wrap gown with contrasting black and white fabric. Then there is the series of low-cut wrap dresses that look both tailored and feminine, something the French are particularly good at.

We'll never know whether Théallet would have made fashion headlines on her own, had it not been for Obama and other famous friends. Still, I applaud her success as well as other designers who are enjoying the Obama effect. They include Maria Pinto, Thakoon, Narciso Rodriguez and Isabel Toledo.

The designers Obama supports may not all be American, but they are all U.S.-based. They are small and unknown (thanks to her knowledgeable stylists at Ikram in Chicago). It is very difficult for small designers to gain traction even in robust times, so this support is crucial. At the very least, it fills their press seats during fashion week.

Obama's incited some criticism from big-name houses who want steady endorsements like other of A-listers Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie and Sienna Miller. But Obama gives a lot to the little guy. If this is democracy at work, I like her style.

Tags: Ikram, Michelle Obama, MichelleObama, Sophie Theallet, SophieTheallet, the fashion statement, TheFashionStatement

Filed under: The Fashion Statement

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rkeeneth Nov 19th 2009 3:05PM

This dress is pretty bad. The only thing missing is a headband and plastic bracelet. Raising the belt does not hide the fact that certain areas of Mrs. Obama are not as toned as her arms.