Michelle Obama won near-unanimous praise for selecting two little-known designers, Jason Wu and Isabel Toledo, to dress her on inauguration day. But the Black Artists Association is crying foul because the first lady didn’t wear anything from a black designer.
In Women’s Wear Daily, BAA co-founder Amnau Eele said, “It’s one thing to look at the world without color but she had seven slots to wear designer clothes. Why wasn’t she wearing the clothes of a black designer? That was our moment.”
But not all black designers are critical. B. Michael, who designed Michelle Fenty’s inaugural garb, said in a release that the BAA position does not represent his point of view. “I personally believe it is an unfair expectation to place on the First Lady,” he said. Fashion is subjective and a matter of personal choice. I applaud Mrs. Obama for her style and her choices. Most of all for wearing what really matters, dignity and grace.”
