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FASHION FOR
GROWN-UPS
SECRETS OF
Michelle Obama’s style
Why is the first lady such a fashion rock star One reason: With the help of her
longtime friend, designer Maria Pinto, Obama makes the most of simple
silhouettes in eye-popping colors. And you can too >> by SUSAN SWIMMER
Winning Ticket
Designer Maria Pinto (left,
with Michelle Obama), was behind
many of the first lady’s best
campaign looks. Pinto is known
for creating great cuts in vibrant
colors, like the blue silk shown at
left and the magenta V-neck
that Obama wore at the Democratic
National Convention (below).
Primary Colors
Obama was pictured
on ;]`S’s October
2008 cover wearing
a Pinto design (left).
When the Obamas
made their first
postelection White
House visit (right),
Pinto’s tomato-red
sheath with a high
waist and a draped
collar fit, flattered
and photographed
spectacularly well.
I wouldn’t call it
a fashion phobia, but I’ve
always been a little dubious about dresses. I get the
ease, but the all-in-oneness
usually bores me. Mixing
separates always feels more
creative, and to me a dress
is just . . . a dress. But then
Michelle Obama hit the
campaign trail, and I started
paying attention. She was
poised and intelligent, and
I couldn’t help but notice
that she looked great. Not
great-for-a-politician’s-wife great, but truly chic.
Wearing [i\jj\j.
Her secret style weapon
is Maria Pinto, a Chicago-based designer who has a
shop in the West Loop section of the city. “I started
working with Michelle
when Barack was running
for the Senate,” Pinto says.
“She was referred to me by
another client.” Pinto says
Obama “is very down
to earth” and also “knows
what works.” She’s a perfect
fashion role model, Pinto
says, because “She’s an example of the life we’re all living.
She goes high-low, mixing
J.Crew with designer. I think
we can all relate to that.”
When it comes to
dressing real women’s bodies,
Pinto gets it. She’s known
for making beautiful, body-friendly dresses, and insists
there’s a perfect silhouette
