#12 "Why It Matters That Michelle Obama Finally Wore Oscar de la Renta"

“The fact that Michelle Obama wore Oscar de la Renta on Wednesday at the cocktail party after her White House Fashion Education Workshop may not, at first, seem like a big deal.” It’s true. It does not seem like a big deal. However, it does actually matter. Oscar de la Renta is a well known and liked designer not only by celebrities, but also by the people that are related to the government and White House, such as Hilary Clinton and Laura Bush. However, it seems to be that the current first lady, Michelle Obama, does not really favor him. For the last seven years, she has never worn de la Renta. At first it could be justified by her lack of wearing designer for events, but within a few years, she was already wearing big names such as Ralph Lauren and Carolina Herrera. It could only be inferred as an omission towards Oscar de la Renta. So now comes in the question of why it matters. Michelle Obama decided to wear de la Renta at the after party of her White House Fashion Education Workshop, where numerous designers and “industry insiders” were present. By wearing his dress, she acknowledged the house (the brand) and its place in the American fashion industry. She was also sending a message to the “industry insiders” that whatever tension between the designer and her was rumored, it was not true. It was also, “perhaps, a covert nod to Mrs. Clinton, who is famously close to the designer (and whose maybe-possible presidential campaign Mr. de la Renta has already endorsed).” This might seem as reading too much into a piece of clothing. However, it is almost assuring that the first lady’s wearing of the designer was indeed to send a message, since she had never, in 7 years, worn him and when she did, it was in front of most of the Unites States fashion world.

             The article was very easy to read and comprehend. The author, Vanessa Friedman, used very casual yet polished language, and kept the article concise and direct. Friedman spices her article up by being somewhat funny and entertaining when she utilizes rhetorical questions and dramatic spacing in between paragraphs. Her not-so-strict form of approaching the subject gives just enough amounts of edge and drama to her article, which captivates the reader. Overall, her article is well written, being very interesting, concise, and easy to comprehend. 

http://runway.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/10/10/why-it-matters-that-michelle-obama-finally-wore-oscar-de-la-renta/?_php=true&_type=blogs&ref=fashion&_r=0