Black designers dissed by Michelle Obama

By Michelle Malkin  •  January 26, 2009 09:52 AM

Racial identity politics comes back to bite Michelle Obama.

NYMag reported last week:

The Black Artists Association is upset with our new First Lady for not wearing clothes by African-American designers. BAA Cofounder Amnau Eele, who was a runway model for Yves Saint Laurent, Giorgio Armani, and Bill Blass, told WWD, “It’s fine and good if you want to be all ‘Kumbaya’ and ‘We Are the World’ by representing all different countries. But if you are going to have Isabel Toledo do the inauguration dress, and Jason Wu do the evening gown, why not have Kevan Hall, B Michael, Stephen Burrows or any of the other black designers do something too?” Eele plans to make a formal appeal to Michelle’s office. WWD adds:

Asked if perhaps the First Lady isn’t looking at the world colorlessly, Eele said, “It’s one thing to look at the world without color but she had seven slots to wear designer clothes. Why wasn’t she wearing the clothes of a black designer? That was our moment.”

What would Michelle Obama’s thesis say?

And what would Jay-Z and Jeezy say?

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Posted in: Michelle Obama

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Comments


  1. #1
    On January 26th, 2009 at 10:01 am, ThackerAgency said:

    Oh yeah, nothing says racial harmony like racial quotas. HEY! She had seven dresses at least ONE should be from each continent.

    Who knows, maybe by the end of the first term, the NAACP will be calling the Obamas racist.

  2. #2
    On January 26th, 2009 at 10:01 am, backwoods conservative said:

    Sounds like somebody got their widdle heart broke. Better call a waaaahmbulance.

  3. #3
    On January 26th, 2009 at 10:02 am, ThackerAgency said:

    Now I remember what else I was going to say. . . it’s a good thing the Boston Celtics had a white guy on their team last year. Oh wait, they didn’t.

    They got one now. . . some red headed goon that they let shoot 3 pointers for a couple of minutes a night. We can’t have an all white team, but all black teams are expected.

  4. #4
    On January 26th, 2009 at 10:03 am, MarcoPolo said:

    So, could NYMag get any shallower?

    (Or am I the only one who doesn’t care about who MO wears?)

  5. #5
    On January 26th, 2009 at 10:04 am, sonofdy said:

    Why must it have been a black designer?

  6. #6
    On January 26th, 2009 at 10:04 am, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

    I knew it! Michelle (mamaBama) Obama is a Raaaaacist!

    Just why Why wasn’t she wearing the clothes of a black designer? That was our moment.”???

    She can only be proud of her country wearing Blue Eyed Devil Honkey clothes?
    OREO!!!! Race Traitor!!! Down Right Mean Country!!!

    Feel the LUV.

  7. #7
    On January 26th, 2009 at 10:06 am, torabora said:

    raaaaaaaacist!

  8. #8
    On January 26th, 2009 at 10:07 am, Flyoverman said:

    Welcome to Post Racial America… until someone needs some leverage.

  9. #9
    On January 26th, 2009 at 10:07 am, b-cat said:

    Identity politics in the wardrobe now? I can’t believe their forcing me to defend her.

    BAA Cofounder Amnau Eele, who was a runway model for Yves Saint Laurent, Giorgio Armani, and Bill Blass,

    So, it’s okay for you to wear white people clothes, but not someone else? Talk about hypocrisy!

  10. #10
    On January 26th, 2009 at 10:11 am, iamsaved said:

    I’m surprised the Kenyan’s aren’t in an uproar since she didn’t wear the native dress of her husband’s homeland… After all, he was born there and it would have reminded his illegal alien auntie of home.

  11. #11
    On January 26th, 2009 at 10:17 am, maine yankee said:

    And hopefully it won’t be long before people realize our new ‘ emperor has no clothes’.

  12. #12
    On January 26th, 2009 at 10:19 am, ThatSamIAm said:

    Proving yet again that no trivial matter is small enough to avoid race mongering.

  13. #13
    On January 26th, 2009 at 10:20 am, RedDog said:

    Michelle Obama has taste and does not wear “black” designers because their stuff sucks. Who wants to wear retro hip-hop dashikis? That’s one creative area of pop cilture where they can’t bullcrap and intimidate their way in. Even the Obamas won’t go for that.

  14. #14
    On January 26th, 2009 at 10:23 am, ajmontana said:

    Oh brother. :roll:
    geeze they better not get a white puppy, there will be riots. get a life.

  15. #15
    On January 26th, 2009 at 10:28 am, sonofdy said:

    Won’t the ONE strike them dead with his withering eyes for DARING to question the ONE’s wife????

    They should at least get lepracy.

  16. #16
    On January 26th, 2009 at 10:30 am, cabrerski said:

    And so it begins…

    As Obama moves (slightly?) to the center in order to govern efficiently, all those on the extreme left will increase the pitch and volume of their collective whine.

    They cannot comprehend that he represents all the people and not just their individual causes. There is an unrational belief that “I voted for him so he must address my needs”.

    When you live on the extreme edges of the core beliefs, logic and common sense will not prevail.

  17. #17
    On January 26th, 2009 at 10:38 am, rocketman said:

    “Sweet Michelle Obama” needs some fashion help–bigtime. The red and black “BLACK WIDOW” dress was appalling.
    ***
    The inauguration dress was a little better. But this lady has a really large “caboose” (aka BOOTIE)–some skilled designer work could help.
    ***
    The bitter attitude is something nobody can help. She looks a lot better when she smiles–and looks really scary when she frowns.
    ***
    John Bibb

  18. #18
    On January 26th, 2009 at 10:41 am, BKennedy said:

    He who lives by identity politics dies by identity politics.

  19. #19
    On January 26th, 2009 at 10:42 am, ackrite55 said:

    Would a Dashiki outfit do?

  20. #20
    On January 26th, 2009 at 10:44 am, FamilyMan said:

    I DON’T CARE!!!!

  21. #21
    On January 26th, 2009 at 10:47 am, pamscasa said:

    I wonder if Aretha’s hat passed the racist test?

  22. #22
    On January 26th, 2009 at 10:50 am, WarEagle82 said:

    Really, is the left going to start this silly nonsense over what Michelle O wears? Isn’t she supposed to be a strong, intelligent, powerful African-American? Don’t the leftists know it is demeaning to talk about her wardrobe? After all, she isn’t Sarah Palin!

  23. #23
    On January 26th, 2009 at 10:51 am, Weary Citizen said:

    Do these people think they elected a race to run the country or a President? Apparently, they believe blacks should now be held above all others. Delusional! Frankly, I was just happy she dressed appropriately for the occasion (you know boring old western whitey style clothing). I worried she would wear some loud african outfit with one of those head wraps to show her racial pride. Sorry, but I have no idea what that style of clothing is called.

  24. #24
    On January 26th, 2009 at 10:53 am, wighttrasch said:

    I’m not sure that I knew there was a rule book for dress-up.
    Is the rule book different for Laura Bush or Cindy McCain?
    What book did Pat Nixon use? Has it been updated?
    Can I check it out from my local library?

  25. #25
    On January 26th, 2009 at 10:55 am, ajmontana said:

    Ha Rocketman! lol, Her and Hilldebeast are having a contest for worlds largest Hinder. Fatprah was disqualified for being a whiner. :shock:

  26. #26
    On January 26th, 2009 at 10:57 am, single stack said:

    Asked if perhaps the First Lady isn’t looking at the world colorlessly, Eele said, “It’s one thing to look at the world without color but she had seven slots to wear designer clothes. Why wasn’t she wearing the clothes of a black designer? That was our moment.”

    So it’s ok to look at the world without color as long as you make sure somobody black has a place reserved for them.
    I get it…

  27. #27
    On January 26th, 2009 at 10:58 am, Tagwife said:

    Of all the things in my life I have to be concerned about what MO wears and who’s clothes she wears doesn’t even rank on my list–anywhere at all. I am one of the I DO NOT CARE….

  28. #28
    On January 26th, 2009 at 11:03 am, WestCoastCoconut said:

    If there are quotas for the next big event. She might kill two birds with one stone and wear something from a gay black designer…. :)

  29. #29
    On January 26th, 2009 at 11:10 am, Cadman said:

    I thought people buy from designers because their clothes look great, not because of their race.

    On another note – Anyone see the hat Aretha Franklin was wearing? I know it is unfair, but tit-for-tat.

    Anyone know if she was in the association?

  30. #30
    On January 26th, 2009 at 11:12 am, Cadman said:

    pamscasa said:
    I wonder if Aretha’s hat passed the racist test?

    Beat me to it.
    I gotta learn to use all my fingers when typing.

  31. #31
    On January 26th, 2009 at 11:13 am, battleaxe said:

    Isn’t the O from Hawaii? How come Mrs. Obama wasn’t wearing a moomoo?

  32. #32
    On January 26th, 2009 at 11:15 am, theporch said:

    I am more concerned about the messiah giving my tax dollars to foreign countries to perform abortions. What’s he trying to do , stimulate their economy? I thought we needed all the money we can get for our own economy. This is incredulous.

  33. #33
    On January 26th, 2009 at 11:17 am, theporch said:

    “This year, taxpayers will receive an Economic Stimulus Payment. This is a very exciting new program that I will explain using the Q and A format:

    Q. What is an Economic Stimulus Payment?
    A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers.

    Q. Where will the government get this money?
    A. From taxpayers.

    Q. So the government is giving me back my own money?
    A. Only a smidgen.

    Q. What is the purpose of this payment?
    A. The plan is that you will use the money to purchase a high-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy.

    Q. But isn’t that stimulating the economy of China ?
    A. Shut up.

  34. #34
    On January 26th, 2009 at 11:25 am, jdsbc98 said:

    Does michelle obama have an overbite or an underbite? i keep confusing those two..Either way i’m a fan of her chin/jaw structure.

  35. #35
    On January 26th, 2009 at 11:30 am, Ginger said:

    I’m still having the vapors over the fact that Barack wore white tie with a tuxedo jacket.
    White tie is ALWAYS worn with tails. If one wears a tuxedo style coat, one wears black tie.
    He looked absolutely silly – almost as bad as those hollywood types who wear tuxedos with regular ties at the Oscars. YUCK.

  36. #36
    On January 26th, 2009 at 11:31 am, tarpon said:

    S-N-O-B

  37. #37
    On January 26th, 2009 at 11:33 am, Ilovemycountry said:

    Happy Monday everybody

  38. #38
    On January 26th, 2009 at 11:44 am, sonofdy said:

    Ilovemycountry said: Happy Monday everybody

    That alone should be enough to get you banned, tarred and feathered, jailed for 20 years then executed. Quick someone send me caffine. I sound grumpy even to myself.

  39. #39
    On January 26th, 2009 at 11:48 am, RedDog said:

    On January 26th, 2009 at 11:25 am, jdsbc98 said:
    Does michelle obama have an overbite or an underbite? i keep confusing those two..Either way i’m a fan of her chin/jaw structure.

    As they say, “She could eat an apple through a picket fence.”

  40. #40
    On January 26th, 2009 at 11:49 am, Hannibal said:

    On January 26th, 2009 at 10:38 am, rocketman said:

    The inauguration dress was a little better. But this lady has a really large “caboose” (aka BOOTIE)–some skilled designer work could help

    You are kidding right? You mean that wasn’t a bussel on that dress?

  41. #41
    On January 26th, 2009 at 11:51 am, b-cat said:

    As they say, “She could eat an apple through a picket fence.”

    lol funny!

  42. #42
    On January 26th, 2009 at 11:57 am, Hangfire said:

    I noticed that during the inauguration, there were a LOT of women with too much junk in the trunk. MO is not too bad in that department by comparison.

  43. #43
    On January 26th, 2009 at 11:58 am, Rogue Cheddar said:

    It doesn’t matter who makes her dresses, that booty is HHHUUUUGGGE!!!! (oops, did I say that out loud?) :roll:

  44. #44
    On January 26th, 2009 at 12:00 pm, love2rumba said:

    poor babies

  45. #45
    On January 26th, 2009 at 12:02 pm, zyzzyg said:

    Silliness. LOL.

  46. #46
    On January 26th, 2009 at 12:06 pm, Joy said:

    Don’t forget, Michelle O wore WHITE…

    Can you say RAAAAAAAAAAAACIST? Ya, I knew you could.

    But it’s not about color…. right?

  47. #47
    On January 26th, 2009 at 12:09 pm, vsatt said:

    Racial political correctness for thee, but not for me!

  48. #48
    On January 26th, 2009 at 12:15 pm, Tennessee Dave said:

    On January 26th, 2009 at 11:49 am, Hannibal said:

    On January 26th, 2009 at 10:38 am, rocketman said:

    The inauguration dress was a little better. But this lady has a really large “caboose” (aka BOOTIE)–some skilled designer work could help

    You are kidding right? You mean that wasn’t a bussel on that dress?

    I hope you meant bustle, but I guess it could have been bushel.

  49. #49
    On January 26th, 2009 at 12:35 pm, JDinTX said:

    I don’t think any designer is going to make her butt look any smaller. Maybe a black designer can hide it in some flowing African robes or something.

  50. #50
    On January 26th, 2009 at 12:37 pm, heathermichelle said:

    Wasn’t a fan of the white dress – would’ve been better if it was completely strapless.

    Don’t know why she’s such a fashion icon. I don’t think I’ve seen her in anything I’ve liked. Then again, I don’t like most big fashion designers, regardless of whatever race they happen to be.

  51. #51
    On January 26th, 2009 at 12:50 pm, FirstSkirt said:

    …uh, a transgendered lesbian black single mother designer? Did I leave anybody out and by the way, WHO CARES?

  52. #52
    On January 26th, 2009 at 12:52 pm, b-cat said:

    On January 26th, 2009 at 12:50 pm, FirstSkirt said:
    …uh, a transgendered lesbian black single mother designer? Did I leave anybody out and by the way, WHO CARES?

    What about dwarves? You don’t care about dwarves?

  53. #53
    On January 26th, 2009 at 12:58 pm, zorro said:

    Racial identity politics comes back to bite Michelle Obama.

    I was going to comment as to where the bite might occur, but…

  54. #54
    On January 26th, 2009 at 1:12 pm, txvet2 said:

    On January 26th, 2009 at 10:02 am, ThackerAgency said:

    Yes they did. Scalabrine was on the team last year too, but he was frequently not among of the 12 players active for a particular game. In fact, as I recall, he is one of the few members of the 2006-7 team to remain. But your point is taken – there aren’t many white players in basketball. So what?

  55. #55
    On January 26th, 2009 at 1:15 pm, JoeRed said:

    Was one of the seven designers Spanish? If not, wheres The RACE?

  56. #56
    On January 26th, 2009 at 1:15 pm, cicerokid said:

    “i like big butts and i cannot lie,
    you other brothers cant deny…baby got back!

  57. #57
    On January 26th, 2009 at 1:19 pm, Stubby said:

    Michelle O is prognathic. Not a pretty picture.

  58. #58
    On January 26th, 2009 at 1:34 pm, Hangfire said:

    She could eat a pepperoni pizza through a Venetian blind.

  59. #59
    On January 26th, 2009 at 1:41 pm, HeatherRadish said:

    Why wasn’t she wearing the clothes of a black designer?

    Maybe there aren’t any black men who play with dolls (which explains why that white dress looked awful on a flesh-and-blood middle-aged woman, doesn’t it) who offered to dress her.

    This doesn’t seem like something to regret.

  60. #60
    On January 26th, 2009 at 1:42 pm, Chard402003 said:

    I guess this group thought that in addition to not having to pay their mortgage, taxes or even apply for handouts, that the Obama’s would only hire blacks. It’s early yet though.

  61. #61
    On January 26th, 2009 at 2:26 pm, WarEagle82 said:

    I am going out on a limb here and will state that I don’t think Michelle Obama is unattractive. Nor do I think her sense of fashion is poor. I suppose she has worn one or two things that didn’t look great but she hasn’t gone to the extremes like the lunatics on the “red carpet” at Hollywood events do.

    I am far more interested in what Michelle Malkin will wear to a Sarah Palin inaugural ball but I don’t want to get caught up in criticizing MO for such silly stuff. It only detracts from our complaints when she does something truly objectionable.

  62. #62
    On January 26th, 2009 at 2:27 pm, rambler said:

    Does this mean the honeymoon is over?

  63. #63
    On January 26th, 2009 at 3:18 pm, Micheleeroo said:

    How is wearing gowns by ‘whitey’ helping Michelle Obama’s children??

  64. #64
    On January 26th, 2009 at 3:20 pm, Micheleeroo said:

    Btw, honestly, I thought that white dress she wore looked like torn rags sewn together. sorry, but that’s what it looked like to me. Surely these designers they clamor for her to use would have given her something more attractive?

  65. #65
    On January 26th, 2009 at 3:44 pm, rightisright said:

    What a spite full, hate full, racist woman we have for a 1st Lady. She’s a little short on the Lady part.
    That’s party of digression and they call it progressive…uh!

  66. #66
    On January 26th, 2009 at 3:46 pm, MtsEdge said:

    The red and black

    The entire Obama family wore red and/or black the night of the election. Looked awfully familiar to me…

  67. #67
    On January 26th, 2009 at 3:55 pm, HotWeaver said:

    “She had seven dresses at least ONE should be from each continent.”

    How many penguins are needed for one dress?

    How did that famous speech go? “…not be judged by the color of their skin but by the design of their dresses…”

  68. #68
    On January 26th, 2009 at 3:57 pm, WarEagle82 said:

    I’ll say it again but I guess it will fall on deaf ears. I oppose virtually everything Michelle and Barack believe in. But, calling her names and making personal insults about her clothing and appearance just doesn’t seem like the road we want to travel. It just makes us seem like them

  69. #69
    On January 26th, 2009 at 4:15 pm, right_on said:

    The entire Obama family wore red and/or black the night of the election.

    Yes! Michelle’s “Black Widow” dress…

  70. #70
    On January 26th, 2009 at 4:18 pm, right_on said:

    Barack Obama’s favorite old song to dance to with his wife is one from black rap artist, Juvenile“Back that thang up!”

  71. #71
    On January 26th, 2009 at 8:24 pm, Fineous Reese said:

    On January 26th, 2009 at 3:57 pm, WarEagle82 said:

    I’ll say it again but I guess it will fall on deaf ears. I oppose virtually everything Michelle and Barack believe in. But, calling her names and making personal insults about her clothing and appearance just doesn’t seem like the road we want to travel. It just makes us seem like them…

    worth a repost.

  72. #72
    On January 26th, 2009 at 9:26 pm, Charly Martel said:

    On January 26th, 2009 at 3:57 pm, WarEagle82 said:

    I’ll say it again but I guess it will fall on deaf ears. I oppose virtually everything Michelle and Barack believe in. But, calling her names and making personal insults about her clothing and appearance just doesn’t seem like the road we want to travel. It just makes us seem like them…

    Fineous Reese reposted it and I’ll second the sentiment.

    That said, I just have to say how saddened I am by the fact that we will have to see many more articles about what she wears, What she has for breakfast, and all the other celeb drivel that will be published about her now that she is finally proud of her country. Hah!

  73. #73
    On January 27th, 2009 at 11:30 am, FirstSkirt said:

    Hey b-cat: I really, really do care about dwarves and meant no offense by leaving them out. Golly, I can’t think of every group. The dems claim that we Republican conservatives don’t believe in a color blind society. Yet, all I saw/heard during this coronation was “first black” “first African-American” President & First Lady. Yada, yada, yada. We were permeated with it. If liberals could only hear themselves….

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