Spring fashion follows first lady
As retailers roll out spring catalogs and department stores unveil seasonal merchandise, the trends look oddly familiar, with a distinctive first-lady twist. Floral prints, belted cardigans and one-shoulder chiffon evening gowns. It’s Michelle Obama deja vu.
“Mrs. Obama is slowly introducing more recent and modern trends,” says local fashion designer Ebong Eka. “During the president’s speech [addressing Congress on Feb. 24], Michelle wore a great lavender skirt and lavender satin blouse. Lavender, purple and its many hues are the colors for spring. Michelle Obama is also introducing the importance of versatility of garments. A-line dresses with complimentary jackets and accessories show the new trend.”
“This spring, it’s all about icons of American beauty,” says Jenna Lyons, creative director for J. Crew, a favorite of the presidential family. “We decided to do all of our shoots here at home rather than in some exotic locations. Michelle Obama is definitely an inspiration.”
Ms. Lyons says many of the staples in the J. Crew spring and summer collection were inspired by outfits donned by Mrs. Obama.
“Longer, leaner pencil skirts, lower-heel pumps, shift dresses in bright colors. These have always been part of our vernacular, but we expect sales to spike this year because Michelle has been wearing so many of these things,” she says.
Dresses, always in high demand for spring weddings and garden parties, will be boldly reminiscent of the sheath dresses worn by Mrs. Obama on the campaign trail last year. One J. Crew dress in what Ms. Lyons describes as a “lemon citrus” color is an homage of sorts to the Isabel Toledo suit Mrs. Obama wore to her husband’s swearing-in ceremony.
