CNN correspondent Alina Cho went out of her way to highlight First Lady Michelle Obama’s “meteoric rise to style icon status” and how it has inspired the fashion industry during a report on Thursday’s American Morning. After detailing how a dress Mrs. Obama wore on the cover of Essence magazine ended up selling well, she commented that “the bottom line is designers are looking at Michelle as a muse now.” Cho also detailed how the apparent Obama-inspired fashion craze has expanded to cosmetics and fitness classes.
Co-anchor Kiran Chetry introduced Cho’s report, which began 17 minutes into the 6 am hour of the CNN program, by trumpeting how “nearly a 100 days into her role as first lady, it’s become clear that she’s really a one-woman stimulus package for the fashion industry.” The CNN correspondent continued with similar lofty language: “Michelle Obama’s meteoric rise to style icon status has surprised even those in the fashion industry. For months, we’ve been watching everything she wears, and in many cases, we’re going out and buying it. So designers are sitting up and taking note. They’re thinking it’s time to cash in.”
When a different report on President Obama’s swimsuit photo on the cover of Washingtonian magazine was erroneously played, Chetry joked, “Now, Alina just apparently wanted to see the president shirtless because that was not the piece that we’re doing right now. We will be doing that later.... Style icons, both of them in the White House.” After using her “muse” label for Mrs. Obama, Cho reused the “style icon” term and played two clips from Essence magazine’s Mikki Taylor, who similarly gushed over the first lady: “She’s just so for real, you know? There’s no pretense. There’s no distance between her and between real women.”
Cho devoted the rest of the report to the fashion industry’s apparently enthusiastic response to the first lady. When designer Elie Tahari commented that Mrs. Obama “has got great arms,” the correspondent replied, “Ah, those famous arms. The reason why the Michelle dress is one shoulder, in plum and floral, a not so subtle homage to Mrs. Obama.” Cho later continued by expanding outside the fashion domain: “And it’s not just fashion. There’s a first lady lip gloss, a gym class called ‘Michelle Obama Defined Arms,’ and Michelle Style -- the book.”
At the end of the segment, Cho and Chetry were aglow over the first lady’s fashion sense:
CHO: Yes, it would, and Elie Tahari has been in the business for 35 years. Now Tahari says he’s going one step further, actually. He’s designing his clothes with a little more give in the hip. The cut is a little more generous now, and that is something that is being inspired by the first lady, and it’s something every woman in America -- in fact, every woman in the world, Kiran, can appreciate.
CHETRY: Yeah. It’s very, very interesting the whole notion that, I mean, we’ve seen first ladies and first ladies’ styles be admired. But it’s almost that it’s accessible now. I love that --
CHO: And in fact --
CHETRY: Look, for example, the J. Crew --
CHO: That’s right.
CHETRY: Cardigan -- you’re wearing it. That’s a Michelle Obama.
CHO: That’s right.
CHETRY: I wear it too.
CHO: Yeah.
CHETRY: And so do a lot of people that say, you know what, before, I was never going to buy an Oscar de la Renta.
CHO: That’s right and there’s an interesting point about that, because a lot of designers were inspired by Jackie O.
CHETRY: Yes.
CHO: But what they say is that Jackie O’s style was inaccessible to most of America.
CHETRY: Right.
CHO: Michelle Obama is different and that she’s like most of us, fashion insiders say. She likes to mix and match, high and low, and who doesn't like that?
CHETRY: Exactly. Exactly. No one can spend $2,000 on a pill box hat these days.
CHO: No.
CHETRY: Thanks, Alina.
—Matthew Balan is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.




















Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Alina Cho!
April 23, 2009 - 17:47 ET by blazermaniacHey Alina, will please shut the hell up. Nobody with a clue gives a damn about the style of Mrs. Obama. With the Obama's, it's always style over substance. And people wonder why this country is in the sewer.
Who cares...this is
April 23, 2009 - 17:54 ET by bigtimerWho cares...this is important how?
I am sick of these gushing stories...there is so much more out there with msm bias with much more substance.
Guess it is just me...I've had an overload of this kind of stuff...I know there is so much more going on that is critical to this nation that goes on daily than this same ol' same ol'.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
***Gag***
April 23, 2009 - 18:02 ET by Kat Outta the BagOh, gag me with a stick pin...
Michelle Obama is a Fashion Joke
April 23, 2009 - 18:18 ET by PopularTechShe is a big unattractive woman who wears boring clothes. The insane left fawns over her like she is the next Versace, please she is a fashion joke. The "Queen" has no clothes.
Obama: "Cap & Trade Will Cause Electricity Rates To Skyrocket"
PopTech
April 23, 2009 - 18:44 ET by sherylsimsI could not have said it better myself. (Although I could have lived without the visual of that particular queen with no clothes...) <Brrrr>
After you post a picture of
April 23, 2009 - 18:57 ET by Another Dead KennedyAfter you post a picture of yourself, then you can start judging others.
~Don't let 'im talk to ya like that, PT
April 23, 2009 - 19:01 ET by choselife3xSic 'im!!
That high-pitched scream you hear is the troll under my heel.
KDW
April 23, 2009 - 19:02 ET by sherylsimsI would, but you might ruin your computer taking it into the shower with you.
~Sheryl
April 23, 2009 - 19:05 ET by choselife3xI think I just sprained a lung.The left one. Thank Obama I wasn't drinking anything or I'd be dead right now and it would be your fault!
That high-pitched scream you hear is the troll under my heel.
Chose
April 23, 2009 - 19:07 ET by sherylsimsThankyouverymuch...
I'll be here all week, folks! :o)
Don't forget to tip your waitresses.
Ewwwww... Was that a come
April 23, 2009 - 19:07 ET by Another Dead KennedyEwwwww...
Was that a come on? Gross!
KDW
April 23, 2009 - 19:08 ET by sherylsimsYou WISH
Please, I prefer to be
April 23, 2009 - 19:10 ET by Another Dead KennedyPlease, I prefer to be called Kennedy.
~Please excuse Knucklehead Death Wish
April 23, 2009 - 19:11 ET by choselife3xHe prefers men.
That high-pitched scream you hear is the troll under my heel.
Your comments are quite
April 23, 2009 - 19:12 ET by Another Dead KennedyYour comments are quite childish. Did I do something to insult you?
~Your comments are quite childish
April 23, 2009 - 19:19 ET by choselife3x"Ewwwww..."
Says the guy who's squealing like a little girl.
That high-pitched scream you hear is the troll under my heel.
Do you actually respond to
April 23, 2009 - 19:21 ET by Another Dead KennedyDo you actually respond to questions or is it just "I know you are but what am I" with you?
~Interesting
April 23, 2009 - 19:27 ET by choselife3xYou've been here for 5 weeks but didn't comment till a week ago. It must suck to watch all those cool sn's get blown away. I kinda liked the Flying_Dutchman one.
That high-pitched scream you hear is the troll under my heel.
Huh? Considering it took 2
April 23, 2009 - 20:08 ET by Another Dead KennedyHuh? Considering it took 2 weeks for my account to get activated, I forgot I had actually signed up. But boy I'm glad I met you.
~2 weeks and you forgot?
April 23, 2009 - 20:14 ET by choselife3xSchool must have been difficult for you.
That high-pitched scream you hear is the troll under my heel.
Oh I didn't go to school.
April 23, 2009 - 20:16 ET by Another Dead KennedyOh I didn't go to school. I had to work the corn fields to pay for my mother's health care.
aww shucks
April 23, 2009 - 22:27 ET by botgso your mom's a criminal?
"Outside of a dog a book is man's best friend,------------inside a dog it's too dark to read" ---Groucho
→ Shucks stew
April 23, 2009 - 22:48 ET by Cool ArrowI think what he means by "work the corn fields" is that he sold his body to farm workers.
Obama - A whole new dementian
simmer stew
April 23, 2009 - 22:54 ET by botgshuck corn
but any parent who keeps their kid out of school to work in whatever capacity is guilt of criminal child abuse.
(note i did good to not post the obvious Bevis picture)
"Outside of a dog a book is man's best friend,------------inside a dog it's too dark to read" ---Groucho
§ Cool...New Troll??? Hello Kennedy!!!
April 23, 2009 - 23:08 ET by TheSterI'm ready to play with the new Kids....
Hello Kennedy.
Ster.
My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives.
Your screen name is quite childish.
April 23, 2009 - 22:32 ET by Free StinkerYour screen name is quite childish.
Sure seems to me you are a plant sent here to make people think we're cheering for Kennedy to die. We're not.
True, we want him out out the Senate, but we don't want him dead.
→ Good call Free
April 23, 2009 - 22:44 ET by Cool ArrowI'm surprised NB has allowed him to keep that screen name.
I'm wondering how a similar screen name aimed at Barack Obama would play.
It's hateful and disrespectful any way you look at it.
Obama - A whole new dementian
aaah...
April 23, 2009 - 19:15 ET by sherylsimsWell then... cause I was going to say, "If I was coming on to you, you wouldn't have had to ASK if I was coming on to you."
But maybe that is why he had to ask.
Post deleted by
April 23, 2009 - 19:46 ET by QueenMumPost deleted by author.
Civilization is the progress toward a society of privacy. The savage's whole existence is public, ruled by the laws of the tribe. Civilization is the process of setting man free from men. - Ayn Rand
Okay sheryl... I've got
April 23, 2009 - 19:24 ET by JerOkay sheryl...
I've got my computer wrapped in plastic and the shower (and me) turned on. Say something.
Jer
Jer
April 23, 2009 - 19:27 ET by sherylsimsLOL!!! Sorry, too tired tonight. HAHAHAHAHA!!!! You are TOO FUNNY! (But I like the image of the computer wrapped in plastic)
Gosh, the story of my
April 23, 2009 - 19:38 ET by JerGosh, the story of my life. You know you may be over the hill when you're getting the "too tired tonight" excuse over the internet.
Oh well...I need to take a shower anyway.
Jer
I have to disagree with you KDW ~ Many good people have
April 23, 2009 - 19:41 ET by pahubernames or pseudonyms, but I chose my real name which opens up to trolls who want to make fun of my name...
By the same token I do not think we need to have our pics posted to be fair.
"by the content of their character"... You know, that MLK thing that I totally agree with....
pahuber
April 23, 2009 - 19:44 ET by sherylsimsI have to agree. I don't have the media fawning all over me calling me a fashion icon, etc. But if I did, I would figure the flip side of that is being open to criticism from those who disagree. I would gladly leave alone the entire issue of Michelle's appearance if the "news programs" would do the same.
You are totally correct. That seems to be the price for being
April 23, 2009 - 19:58 ET by pahuberopen on that level.
I think there's a
April 23, 2009 - 20:01 ET by QueenMumI think there's a difference between criticizing the media coverage and criticizing the woman herself. Besides, I don't recall hearing anyone in the media speculate as to how Mrs. Obama looks without her clothes.
Civilization is the progress toward a society of privacy. The savage's whole existence is public, ruled by the laws of the tribe. Civilization is the process of setting man free from men. - Ayn Rand
Well, someone had to be
April 23, 2009 - 20:07 ET by sherylsimsWell, someone had to be first I guess. But it was really PopTech's fault.
~Well
April 23, 2009 - 20:09 ET by choselife3xThey were speculating about something.
That high-pitched scream you hear is the troll under my heel.
Hey, THANKS!
April 23, 2009 - 20:14 ET by sherylsimsI totally forgot about that!!! Of course you took away my "firsties" but I forgive you for that.
Okay, sheryl. Would you
April 24, 2009 - 10:50 ET by QueenMumOkay, sheryl. Would you also be willing to agree then that since Miss California "put herself out there", the things that Perez Hilton had to say about her were perfectly acceptable?
Civilization is the progress toward a society of privacy. The savage's whole existence is public, ruled by the laws of the tribe. Civilization is the process of setting man free from men. - Ayn Rand
~Either tell us
April 24, 2009 - 10:59 ET by choselife3xHow
PopTech
April 23, 2009 - 19:44 ET by sherylsims
I could not have said it better myself. (Although I could have lived
without the visual of that particular queen with no clothes...)
<Brrrr>
Equals "stupid b!itch" and "c**t" or cease and desist from your attempt to scold sheryl.
That high-pitched scream you hear is the troll under my heel.
chose... I'm not
April 24, 2009 - 16:57 ET by Jerchose...
I'm not defending Hilton the ignoramus, or his inexcusable comments. But, in the interest of accuracy, I believe he used the term "c-word" and not the full four-letter vulgarity you imply. Who knows, maybe he meant "(c)lassy". Well, maybe not.
Jer
Pahuber's a real name? Is
April 23, 2009 - 20:29 ET by Another Dead KennedyPahuber's a real name? Is that Dutch-Romanian?
??? What does that mean KDW? I was openning up my heart
April 23, 2009 - 22:15 ET by pahuberto you. What do you mean?
pahuber
I'm sorry. I was having a
April 23, 2009 - 23:25 ET by Another Dead KennedyI'm sorry. I was having a hard time pronouncing it so I figured is was some sort of fun moniker. No hard feelings?
Check my Bio
April 23, 2009 - 19:49 ET by PopularTechI already did.
Obama: "Cap & Trade Will Cause Electricity Rates To Skyrocket"
I for one totally respect you despite our one disagreement :)
April 23, 2009 - 20:00 ET by pahuberTake care my friend.
Ouch! I hear the owner's
April 23, 2009 - 20:20 ET by Another Dead KennedyOuch! I hear the owner's of that Ferrari you crashed are pissed!
Ferrari, are pissed? LOL wtf? You are like funny & crazy.
April 23, 2009 - 22:20 ET by pahuberOk, send them to me for "insurance" info... OK?
PS... are U i...n... S...A...N...E...?
No, not insane. Nope. I
April 24, 2009 - 11:09 ET by Another Dead KennedyNo, not insane. Nope. I was just referring to Pop's photo he posted on his profile - it's Fabio! Last week or the week before he crashed a borrowed Ferrari in California. It probably didn't make the national news.
The countdown to no ratings
April 23, 2009 - 18:21 ET by Richard RomanoThe countdown to no ratings has begun...buh bye CNN.
Parade magazine asked this
April 23, 2009 - 18:36 ET by DRTNParade magazine asked this past weekend “Do we still need royals?” Their answer was generally NO.
Since BO and MO are getting similar treatment, then it would seem the answer is in fact YES.
Sad, I thought we had moved beyond the idea that a leader was a direct descendant from the supernatural and the political leaders were important for their actions not their attire (or words).
I don't get it. A
April 23, 2009 - 18:54 ET by QueenMumI don't get it. A comparison to Jackie K. is pretty far-fetched. Jackie was a woman who had a graceful way of carrying herself. Anything she wore was just the icing on the cake, so to speak. Mrs. Obama has an athletic build and isn't particularly graceful. This is not meant as a criticism of Mrs. Obama's overall style. I just don't see that her wardrobe is anything special. Mrs. Bush was always well-dressed in what can be described as a manner suitable to her position. But I wouldn't say that she was any sort of trend setter either. Now Condi Rice - that's a different story.
Civilization is the progress toward a society of privacy. The savage's whole existence is public, ruled by the laws of the tribe. Civilization is the process of setting man free from men. - Ayn Rand
Bells and a seater
April 23, 2009 - 19:12 ET by 10ksnookerWho would have thought of that as some fashion statement. Oh forgot, my 2 year old daughter loved to dress up and hang bells on herself.
um
April 23, 2009 - 19:15 ET by katainkentwhy do they let teenage girls run the newsdesk?
I love to help the helpless but I'm not gonna help the clueless ~Dennis Miller
A natural progression from
April 23, 2009 - 21:17 ET by RR GOPA natural progression from a few years ago when they were yucking it up on their high school's morning TV show...
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 61% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory (yep...approval for Congress now at 39%...do you believe that!?).
Gushing over Michelle is nauseating
April 23, 2009 - 19:20 ET by KrisCho's and Chetry's sickening display of gushing over Michelle Obama is all too common with them. I can't count how many segments they've done on this subject. But I know why they're so jazzed over Michelle's choice of dress-Who better to push the extreme pro-abortion agenda than the stylish, hip and oh-so-smooth Michelle? She'll make everything that is horrific and evil seem acceptable and desirable. These tv news babes are such pro-aborts-they will follow dear Michelle like a lost puppy. What losers.
Hippocrisy
April 23, 2009 - 19:32 ET by slickwillie2001So while liberals assail MacDonalds and the rest of the fast food industry for making Americans fat, they are also promoting M'chell's big-butt body style and designers are changing their clothes to accommodate the big butt? Hypocrisy you need a D-9 to move around...
WTF
April 23, 2009 - 21:31 ET by ShanghaiRayKDW:
1) Who the hell died and made you in charge of telling people what they can/cannot post here. Michele is a public figure and is fair game for anyone. If you insist on your indiotic position then, I suggest that you;
2) Post your IQ and educational credentials before posting anymore idiotic and pointless comments that sarcastically denigrate other users.
IMHO Michele has zero fashion sense and is bugly (i.e. butt ugly) and if you don't like that, then, refer to item 1 above. This whole over-the-top Michele adolation is just plain stupid. Frankly, her being goodlooking or ugly has zero to do with the health and future of this nation.
"Muse"?
April 23, 2009 - 21:41 ET by Lizzard88Oh, sorry, I thought she said, "moose". Honest mistake. Those are hard to dress, too.
What?
April 24, 2009 - 00:07 ET by NorthCoasterWhat style does she show? Someone is dressing her and painting here face for her, OMG!
what a crock
April 24, 2009 - 07:57 ET by SickofLibs"We’ve seen first ladies’ styles be admired"
Really? Other than Jackie, name one instance. Here's the list of the other recent fashion icons:
Eleanor R; Bess T; Mamie E; Lady Bird J; Pat N; Betty F; Rosalyn C; Nancy R; Barbara B; Hildabeast; Laura B.
Trendsetting babes all.
How does one dress to apologize?
April 24, 2009 - 16:24 ET by Chris NormanOn the recent 2009 Apology/Groveling Tour, Michelle Obama wore J Crew, while her husband Barak wore sack cloth and ashes.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
even if Michelle were one step further down and wearing The Gap.
April 24, 2009 - 22:40 ET by bpjameven if Michelle were one step further down and wearing The Gap....the media would still pretend that The Gap was suddenly stylish and not just the place where people who are colorblind go to buy clothes after having lived in the Amazon for 20 years and having no contact with civilization.
Of course, it's hard to find clothes for a 6' tall woman who has the body of a linebacker. Not like it's her fault. But we also don't have to pretend that she is somehow pulling off these outfits or has any idea whatsoever what she is doing with her wardrobe.
You'd think that with all the famous people who are tripping over themselves get become acolytes in the Obama cult there would be some people in the fashion industry who could volunteer some time and clothing to make Michelle look more like a woman and let like a.....well, more like a woman.
OH BROTHER.
April 25, 2009 - 01:55 ET by rbosqueOH BROTHER.