Michelle O marches into Manhattan

With her husband’s party facing an uphill battle in the here-before-you-know-it midterm elections, First Lady Michelle Obama could at least count on support among her fashionable base Monday evening.

Obama and her vice presidential counterpart Jill Biden jetted to New York for a cocktail-hour fund-raiser at Donna Karan’s Central Park West penthouse, where a host of New York designers, including Michael Kors, Diane von Furstenberg, Tory Burch, Georgina Chapman, Nanette Lepore and Isaac Mizrahi, gathered to show their support.

The First Lady arrived shortly after 5 p.m. and was quickly hustled inside by Secret Service agents. Barricades and some preexisting scaffolding on the building’s facade ensured that onlookers would only get a side view of Obama on her way in. Those quick enough to catch a glimpse saw that the First Lady, now a veteran in such matters, wore a camel-colored coat over a dark dress — both by Donna Karan — with silver heels.

After the Karan-hosted cocktail party uptown, Obama was Broadway-bound. Sarah Jessica Parker, another design-friendly Democratic pal, was due to host a special performance by Patti LaBelle at the St. James Theater.

Guests who attended the evening’s Act I sung Obama’s praises as they headed back out into the fall chill.

“I think she is the perfect trifecta,” Kors said. “She is powerful, human and galvanizing.”

Nanette Lepore said that even though the encounter was short, it was well worth it. “It is so important to get the enthusiasm back to what we had two years ago when the President was elected,” Lepore said.

“She is gorgeous and smart,” said von Furstenberg, who dashed off early for another political event. “Unfortunately I had to leave before she spoke, because I had to support [Richard] Blumenthal, hopefully my future senator in Connecticut.”

The early goodbye was something of a theme on Monday night. Russell Simmons left about 20 minutes before Obama arrived. He had thought about sticking around to chat to the First Lady about well-being initiatives in schools, a topic he’s raised with her before.
http://www.wwd.com/fashion-news/michelle-obamas-manhattan-moment-3342907?module=featured_stories

Chelsea’s Favorite Wedding Memories…

Chelsea's Gay Wedding Planner

Now that the wedding is over, be it the toniest, most high-profile and exquisite wedding imaginable or a budget-conscious DIY affair at the local lodge, when the Champagne flutes are long put away, the cake a gluten-free memory and fatigued dancing feet long soothed, all that’s left (apart from, one hopes, a sound marriage) are the pictures. Moral: a girl’s got to love her dress.  And as for the men? Clinton and Mezvinsky’s good friend Christopher Bailey of Burberry was proud to suite them up, and did the honors with the shirts and ties for Bill Clinton and the groomsmen.

Chelsea’s Gay Wedding Planner

By now anyone with a pulse and an Internet connection has seen the photo of Chelsea on the arm of her father, Bill Clinton, a shot that offers the best full-length view of her dress. Many of us would also love to see her lineup of lavender-clad bridesmaids as well as the children rumored to have been members of the wedding. And, oh yes, a good look at Hillary’s Oscar de la Renta gown, its Italian organza in a high-drama ombréd range from magenta to pale pink. At press time, those photos remained off-limits. While the extreme pre-nup discretion is understandable, who knows why the continued veil of secrecy? It’s unlikely they’ve sold the rights to People.

No matter. We’ve all gotten our wedding fix, not of the year/decade/century/Millennium, but of the moment, at least until the next marital megamerger comes along. (Three words: William and Kate). For now, everyone seems genuinely happy for Chelsea and Marc. Perhaps happiest of all, aside from the newlyweds themselves? That would be Robert Huth, president and chief executive officer of David’s Bridal, Vera’s new mate, professionally speaking. Will their union result in an under $1,200 take on Chelsea’s dress? No. Nor would Vera attempt to knock herself off so precisely.

But when your cousin Kelly gets married next spring, don’t be surprised if she swans down the aisle in a strapless dress with an artfully souped-up, swirly skirt.

What would YOU wear to sit down to dinner with President Barack Obama for a full 90 minutes…

Barack Obama charmed Anna Wintour & her guests in the West Village last Wednesday night as a veritable all-star team of American designers attended a fund-raiser to benefit the Democratic National Committee at the Vogue editor in chief’s town house, where President Obama was the guest of honor.

If you’re not totally into the fashion aspect, perhaps you want to know:

 Say, what’s for dinner?
Anna: Kobe beef served in truffle bowls.