First lady’s fashion fails to impress
Outfits are very sedate, says SA style guru Gavin Rajah
HER fashion sense has seen her grace the covers of thousands of magazines and her garments often make headlines wherever she goes. But the first lady of the US, Michelle Obama, did not exactly wow fashionistas on her second visit to South Africa.
Clad in blue from head to toe, she emerged from Air Force One at Waterkloof Air Force Base on Friday night in a fulllength dress coat, pants that had her blouse half tucked, and matching patent pumps. The outfit saw the Huffington Post saying it was “a look that was far from our favourite”. Local fashion guru Gavin Rajah agreed, saying she “was quite conservative in contrast to the rest of her African trip, where she has opted for prints and colour”.
“Given the emotional climate of the country in terms of Madiba’s health, maybe she was trying to be as inconspicuous as possible,” Rajah said. “It is quite a muted and sombre tone for her first garment . . . as opposed to the chequerboard garment worn by Maite [Nkoana-Mashabane, minister of international relations], who welcomed them.”
Yesterday, Michelle Obama joined her husband and President Jacob Zuma and his wife, Thobeka Madiba-Zuma, at the Union Buildings. She again played it safe in a taupe ensemble. “I think it is very muted. The colour is ‘safe’ and far more relaxed than formal. The colour is flattering. As she is meeting the Mandela family members later, maybe she thought this would also be in line with Barack’s comments that he does not want to be obtrusive,” said Rajah.
Later yesterday, Michelle Obama took part in a discussion with youths at an event at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Newtown that was organised in conjunction with music channel MTV Base and Google+. Here she preferred a black printed chiffon blouse and a green printed A-line high-waisted skirt.
Accompanied by her daughters she addressed over 200 learners from across South Africa, as well as American students from Los Angeles, Kansas City, New York City and Houston, who all joined virtually in their cities around the US
The colour is ‘safe’ and far more relaxed than formal
through Google+.
She also hand-picked four high school students — Eldah Mudau, Mirriam Kgokane, Aubrey Baloyi and Tebogo Tenyane — who sat next to her on stage as part of the MTV Base interview, which was hosted by local personality Sizwe Dhlomo.
After greeting the learners she immediately said; “I first want to say that our thoughts and prayers are very much with Nelson Mandela, we will continue keep him in our prayers”.
When asked how has Madiba inspired her, Michelle said Mandela inspired her “in endless ways. He laid the foundation for all of us. I remember I was in high school when he was released from prison, and now he’s alive today to see realisation of his sacrifice.”