Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama's designer pals have defended the First Lady against some fashion criticism that she has faced recently.

According to The Cut, at a 'Sunday With the Magazine' talk yesterday at the Times Center, Narciso Rodriguez stepped up to defend Michelle against suggestions that she should wear "bigger names", instead of young designers.

He told moderator Cathy Horyn: "It’s ridiculous and outrageous. How dare anybody tell the First Lady what to wear. How dare anybody tell any woman what to wear."

In the heated discussion, which also included two of Michelle's other favourite designers, Maria Cornejo and Thakoon Panichgul, they too spoke about their feelings on the issue.

Cornejo agreed with Rodriguez, calling those big names "the dinosaurs of Seventh Avenue", whilst Horyn thought that the criticism was little more than "sour grapes," citing Ralph Lauren as a designer Obama has neglected.

Rodriquez was also similarly annoyed by claims that Michelle was "underdressed" when she met the Queen, commenting "I don’t like the Queen’s pink dress!", reports The Cut.

The trio of designers also stepped up to defend Michelle's decision to wear expensive clothes, when Horyn mentioned the now infamous $500 Lanvin trainers, which she wore recently to a food bank.

Cornejo responded to audience applause: "Obama’s a career woman. If she wants to spend her money on clothes, why not?"


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