Vivienne Westwood’s famous for causing a flap – and this week her sights aren’t on eco-issues or journalists, they’re on the style of Michelle Obama. Read on for her infamous comments…
Vivienne Westwood is the punkiest, most contrarian designer on today’s runways.
And she’s keeping up the anti-establishment spirit, telling an interviewer that she thinks the way Michelle Obama dresses is ‘dreadful’.
The poor interviewer only asked if Westwood approved of Obama’s practise of recycling her clothes. The designer is famous for insisting on eco-friendly practise, and has collaborated with disadvantaged women in Africa on special bags for charity.
In response Westwood just said, “Don’t talk about her, it’s dreadful what she wears!”
“She’s a very nice looking lady,” she added of Obama, who’s worn labels like Jason Wu, Naeem Khan, Reed Krakoff and Thom Browne, “but it’s a nonstarter regarding clothes that suit her.”
She also compared her unfavourably to the “glamourous” Jackie Kennedy, who was famously dressed by Valentino and other couturiers throughout her time in the White House.
Obama’s fashion sense is under huge scrutiny from the US media, a fact she tries to mediate by combining cheap separate from J. Crew with more exclusive labels.
What do you think about Westwood’s comments – way off the mark or right on target?
Image: Michelle Obama.
If you’ve got to put one new bookmark on your must-see sites list, it has to be CoutureLab.
It curates tiny capsule collections from the world’s top designers, including emerging names that will soon hit it big – but this time it’s struck gold with Roland Mouret.
Mouret, who designed the Galaxy Dress worn by everybody and their dog in the early 2000s, has designed just four dresses – but what dresses.
Only 12, three of each design, have been made, using vintage French lace and visible zippers. The lace, in both beige and black, has been cut into both long and cocktail-length styles, with long sleeves and this season’s prim collar and covered back.
We’re sure that they’ll show up on the red carpet sometime extremely soon.
For up to $10,000 Australian, do you think you’ll put one on your wishlist?
Image: Roland Mouret CoutureLab collaboration.
When Net-a-Porter and Vogue both go mad for something, you know it’s going to be huge.
And luckily it’s a simple classic that we could all use in our wardrobes: the two-strap stiletto.
This season’s shoe is more luxe and up-to-date than the flat, clunky versions beloved in the 90s. Think gold sleek straps (at Valentino), contrast cuffs, colour-blocking in cool suedes (Gucci) or huge heels at Marni.
One ankle strap and one toe are perfectly sufficient, thanks very much – no extras, fluff or fuss. It’s all thanks to an increasing attention to Scandinavian sleekness in design, which emphasises efficient minimalism.
Guiseppe Zanotti is doing huge colour-impact versions – think mango and white – while Narcisco Rodriguez’s sleek versions combine a teal ankle strap with coolly contrasting white or patterned toes.
Our favourites? The Iconic is producing a fantastic version in coral red with a beautiful gold-plaque stiff ankle strap, oversized and elegant. Alexander Wang’s Johanna sandals have two mini-ankle cuffs, but their biggest statement is their colours: black, deep forest green or flecked black-and-white polka-dot.
Givenchy’s also gone for the thick strap, only theirs is black-and-white harlequin print for a more surreal edge. And if you can’t possibly abandon elegant overstatement, Jimmy Choo’s Marion stilettos shake it up a bit, with a simple ankle strap and a decant suede knotted pair over the toes.
File away the gladiators and brush up on your autumn pedicures – we’re all going simple this season.
Image: Two-strap stilettos by Alexander Wang.
