How Michelle Obama Saved the Retail Industry
The results are in. Despite the recession, consumer spending is doing quite well, thank you very much. Retail Metrics found outlets ranging from luxury department stores to teen fashion boutiques reporting stronger sales in January while at chain retailers, same-store sales rose 3.3 per cent. But no matter the purveyor or the clientele, they all owe a tip of the hat to First Lady Michelle Obama.
Right out of the gate on inauguration day, she upstaged the president in a citrus confection designed by Isabel Toledo that further brightened the collective optimism that built on the National Mall. It was a bold choice that signaled to followers of fashion that the lady had plenty of style — and wasn’t afraid to use it.
One year later, Obama’s (well-muscled) arm is heaped with the kind of accolades arbiters of style work their whole lives to accumulate. She’s been on multiple magazine covers (think Vogue, Glamour, Essence, and Oprah) and snagged a Council of Fashion Designers of America honor, among others.
And whether she’s appearing at an awards banquet or a state dinner, every scrap of fabric she’s wearing is carefully documented in the blogosphere. Meanwhile, the retailers are reaping the rewards.
Consider the cardigan. Especially one embellished with bling such as the J. Crew (JCG) number she wore back in April to visit British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife. The $298 J. Crew hand-beaded “constellation” sweater sold out online by 10 a.m. E.T. the same day.
