Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama

Oscar de la Renta has been backtracking over comments he made criticising Michelle Obama's style on her recent trip to Europe New York Magazine reports.

The designer criticised Michelle's decision to wear European labels instead of American designers and also the fact that she wore a sweater to Buckingham Palace.

However it seems de la Renta has now had a change of heart and went on TV programme The View to explain how his comments were misinterpreted. He said: "My words were really ill-chosen words. I did say a lot of very wonderful things. They just happen to pick those words. Anyway, that’s a fact of life."

Presenter Barbara Walters pushed him to explain why Michelle shouldn't wear a cardigan to meet the Queen. He replied: "I said she should not wear a sweater. She’s entitled to wear whatever she wants. And I chose my words badly. And I regret it."

He added that Michelle was a great lady and he said what he did because she has, "a great opportunity ... because of her high visibility to do something wonderful for an industry which employs a lot of people in this country."

On our side of the pond European designers were thrilled with the First Lady's outfit choices. Azzedine Alaïa said: "She wore it well; I couldn't hope for better."

And responding to de la Renta's comments she said: "It’s not up to him to give her lessons; Michelle Obama is of her time; Oscar de la Renta is no longer."