Crasher-gate.  It’s our own styleblueprint term for the polo watching socialite couple from Northern Virginia that caused quite a lot of security questions over the Thanksgiving Holiday. But, with the striking beauty of Michelle Obama’s dress by an Indian designer, and Michaele Salahi’s scarlet Lehnga, what I want to talk about is India’s role of influence on our high-end fashion.  I mean, I know, security security security.  Don’t fret, the rest of the web is talking about that….

The Lehnga style gown, the traditional gown of India, has never had better PR– in the sense that no PR is bad PR. We all have the image of Michaele hugging up with Joe Biden with her left hand on his chest (very possessive pose I thought…).  And, while the world wanted to know HOW they got in, I couldn’t help but wonder if it wasn’t a tad bit because of how daring her choice of dress was.  And, it also struck me a bit like wearing red to a wedding: poor taste.  America has now seen this dress at one of the most high-end events of the year, over and over again.  In my opinion the dress looks better in the picture with Joe Biden (who can deny the beauty of that sleeve?) than seen in its full length.  However, I can’t help but speculate that we may see some more of these gowns turn up at black/white tie events in the next year.  There has been such a move toward “tribal” dressing, why not take the shape of the Lehnga and run with it?  Or at least some of those beautiful Indian beaded fabrics.  Slumdog Millionaire opened the pop culture door to Indian fashion, but Crasher-Gate brought Indian fashion to the Thanksgiving table dinner conversation!

I'm kinda surprised she didn't spring for Henna Tattos....

Michelle Obama’s dress was simply gorgeous and was designed by Naeem Khan, also from India originally. So, is this India’s big opportunity to break into high fashion with full force?  Look at the dress that Michelle wore.

Now, this next dress is also by Naeem Khan and while it has overtures of the 70’s, it also has a bit of Lehnga style thrown in.  Full length and hello to any gala.

Do a google search for Lehngas and you will see some beautiful gowns. The wedding collection seems to be the most ornate and lovely.  Tweak this style and you have a winner.  OK Nashville, who will wear one to the next black tie event?  It will take some serious confidence, and you can’t have straw yellow hair that has been straightened or you will look like a costume of Micheala.  But, for the adventurous, and someone who can spring for a custom dress, a nod toward Indian style would be stunning…

I was scrambling to get home- I would NOT miss this moment!  It was already 10:30- I had on NPR- I was taking on every yellow light in my path.  Yellow seemed to be the color today.  Yellow lights, Diane Sawyer’s yellow top… but, most importantly, Michelle’s GORGEOUS dress.  She looked stunning, comfortable and engaging.  I like her in other colors, but this one was significant in the way in makes you FEEL.  First of all, I have always heard that yellow is the color seen best at the longest distance.  With the 1.4 million on the mall, that makes yellow a good choice.  Yellow is also a color the makes you feel pleasant and uplifted.  Yellow is associated with good judgement and strong intellect.  I think she choose well.  The dress was designed by Cuban-American designer Isabel Toledo.

I had to laugh listening to NPR about her dress.  First Steve Inskeep asks Michele Norris what color she would call the dress. Norris responds “mustard”.   She then amends her color choice by stating that as Michelle moves there seems to be more green than first noticed in the dress. Then, another lady pipes up that she would call it Butter Cream.  (so to recap, we are talking a mustard, green, butter cream) Then, they all agreed that it was an “intense pale yellow brocade” sheath dress that conjured up Jackie O.  I had no idea what to expect after that description! I’m not sure I like the length of Michelle’s dress to flatter her legs the most.  But, then upon second thought, it is bitterly cold today in Washington D.C. and I, too, would have fought for every inch of length.

One thing I can’t figure out is the collar on the dress- is it a collar encrusted with little crystals or is that a necklace?  I think it must be part of the dress- but I may be completely wrong.

Other things of note: Every woman on camera had on a coat without a collar, with the exception of Ms. Biden with her large rounded collar on her red coat.  This includes: Dianne Feinstein, Aretha Franklin, Michelle Obama, and Laura Bush. Later, I saw Hillary Clinton and Cindy McCain, and they both had collars.  There was not a belted coat to be seen.

Did anyone else notice what I think was Bill Clinton foot moving in a circular motion in and out of camera view behind Dianne Feinstein while she was speaking?  Cracked me up….

Laura Bush was dressed in all gray.  I think she is taking note of the new depression chic that I saw last week on www.Style.com (a great resource).  But, when talking the psychology of color, gray is supposedly the one color that has no impact.  I’ve read it can invoke feelings of loneliness and independence, but it is also many times mentioned as the one “neutral” feeling color.  She did not look great on this gray cold day in Washington.  But, she did fade into the background and showed no impact on today’s ceremony.   I think that is probably what she intended.

-Liza

Everyone is wondering which lucky designer was selected to design Michelle Obama’s inaugural gown. Will she choose one of America’s top designers or a more obscure unknown player? Is the dress going to feel patriotic in red or blue-or will it perhaps be beige or taupe to reflect the somber times America is experiencing? Will it make a statement like her Narciso Rodriguez dress did on election night or be more traditional and sedate? Would she really dare buying something off the rack as if to say, “You can’t afford couture so I can’t either.”? Let’s face it, this is one of the most talked about dresses in America since J-Lo bounced around in  her green taped on Versace.

I wonder if people were as obsessed about Jackie O’s dress.  Jackie was America’s true fashion icon in her self designed dress (assisted by Ethan Frankau of Bergdorf Goodman).  It is timeless- a gown to be coveted in 1961 as well as today.

Photo courtesy of the Kennedy Library:

Hillary Clinton’s inaugural dress was controversial to say the least.  It was a violet crystal encrusted mess. It was designed by Arkansas designer Sarah Phillips.

In 1993, Laura Bush’s red gown designed by Texan Michael Faircloth caused some chatter.. mostly negative. She heeded the advice of fashion gurus and relied on Oscar de La Renta to design a more sophisticated gown for the second go round.

The Washington Post writer Robin Givhen asked 6 of America’s up and coming designers to take a shot at a conceptual design for Michelle Obama’s inaugural gown to find out what the next generation on 7th Avenue is thinking. The color palettes were more daring from iridescent whites to rich purples. The designer that caught my eye was Lyn Devon with her exquisite gown in coral silk peau de soie  with a velvet sash and turquoise jeweled closure. (peau de soie is a  soft, silk fabric of medium weight with a dull finish.)  She is smart -graduate of Brown- and her background as an intern with Zac Posen and a stint with Ralph Lauren separate her out from the pack. www.lyndevon.com She is one to watch.

Then I started to ponder, what if we were to select on of Nashville’s designers for the job.. Fiandaca? Perhaps Muna, the  newly inductee to the Tennessee State Museum’s Hall of Fashion fame? Or, what if we looked to one of the avante garde trendsetters in the 12 South area: the team of Jessica Moros and Shannon Lea. Lea has the distinction of making it to Project Runways final 40 (by the way, even their crew took a shot at Michelle’s dress) She is known for her creativity, glamour and originality and she’s right here in our own backyard.  www.nashvillescene.com/2008-12-11/news/a-handful-of-designers-are-igniting-nashville-s-underground-fashion-scene/

Style Blueprint would like to know your choice for Michelle’s dress.  Let us know today..tomorrow is too late.

Elizabeth