Maybe it’s because she dressed the Bush twins, but high-fashion designer Lela Rose doesn’t get why Michelle Obama won’t pick up her threads.
“Maybe we’re tainted from that,” Rose told Yeas & Nays at the MODUS Union 2010 fashion event last week hosted by (legitimate) “Real Housewives of D.C.” hopeful Mary Amons.
Rose said her line, known for its bright hues and mixed textures on top of conservative cuts (and an abundance of sleeveless options), would be a perfect fit for the first lady, but Obama sticks to J. Crew.
“I definitely want to turn her away from J. Crew,” Rose said.
The designer, whose frocks hover around $1,000, lamented that J. Crew’s designs are priced too low to compete.
“I think she has looked fantastic, but J. Crew? For designers, to have the first lady in J. Crew?” Rose said. “You can buy that for $180 you can’t buy designer products for that price. She’s looked great, but it doesn’t help the high-end design industry.”
Rose brought her spring 2010 collection to D.C. for the Labels for Love runway show at the Mayflower Hotel. She said she hopes to expand her reach in the D.C. market.
Adding to the fashion frenzy in the hotel lobby — which was heightened by the production crew filming the “Real Housewives of D.C.” — were guests who hoped to see Michaele Salahi alongside housewife hopefuls Lynda Erkiletian, Amons and Cat Ommanney.
But no such luck — the Salahis took a trip to Vegas this weekend for an appearance at Pure nightclub in Caesars Palace. Among the fashion mavens spotted at the event: stylist Ted Gibson, Kate Michael, Lolly Amons, WUSA’s Brett Haber, Fox 5’s Will Thomas, designer Ebong Eka, Stephanie Green, Paul Wharton and Jason Backe of Ted Gibson Salon.
