Malia Obama: A New Tweener Fashion Role Model?
 Biscotti Inc., David Katz/Obama for America |
Does America have a new tweener fashion role model? If the rush to buy Malia Obama’s election night dress is any indication, we may have four years of middle school fashion to look forward to. Just as the internet was atwitter about her mom Michelle’s Narciso Rodriguez dress, everyone wanted to know what the 10 year old was wearing in Grant Park that historic night. Though mom made some minor changes to the dresss, such as adding a matching cardigan like she and Sasha wore and replaced the jeweled belt with a decidedly more low-key velvet one, Malia rocked the Precious Jewels Christmas Party Dress with Bubble Hem ($110) from Biscotti Girls.
Currently available in limited sizes from Nordstrom (where Michelle bought the dress), Denim & Daisies, Neiman Marcus, and The Best Dressed Child, the dress is quickly selling out and the manufacturer has no more in inventory. However, the company has located the fabric to make additional dresses and will have them back in stores within 3 weeks, just in time for Christmas!
Sasha’s black bow dress is by Gerson & Gerson Inc. under their Iris & Ivy and Bonnie Jean labels.
For more behind-the-scenes images from Election Night, visit Flickr.
Source: Wall Street Journal’s Heard on the Runway Blog, Preppy Princess Blog
Update: Image of dress replaced.
- Posted on Nov 10, 08 at 7:30AM
- Permalink
- 36 Comments
November 10th, 2008 at 8:56 am
That’s a really cute special occasion dress, they’re adorable girls, I can’t wait to watch them grow up!
November 10th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Oh please, leave them as long as possible alone! Poor kids. I guess it is hard enough to live in the WH with all the security around you whereever you go, where a nation tries to determine which puppy you get, where the crowds discuss which school you should be sent to etc. So let a ten-year-old wear whatever she likes to wear and do not judge her!
November 10th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Elli, I don’t think anyone is judging her. It’s a cute dress and I don’t see the harm in someone wanting to get it for their own daughter. A good percentage of the posts on here are where to get the clothes the children of famous people are wearing, the only difference in this situation is that her father is a politician instead of a singer or an actor. The children of U.S. presidents have always been held under such scrutiny. It may not always be fair (i.e. the nasty comments about Chelsea Clinton’s appearance) but I think publicizing where her dress came from is a fairly innocuous thing.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:41 am
I totally agree Elli. Unfortunately, the media spotlight will only get bigger over the next four years. The Obama girls will continue to be photographed and posted on magazine covers and websites like this one. The glare will not go away because people (including myself and others on this site) continue to visit sites that feature pictures of “celebrity” children and enjoy hearing cute stories about them (i.e. Suri Cruise and Violet Aflec). I also think Malia and her sister dress adorably and age appropriate. Maybe the two of them can inspire a generation of girls that are more content with wearing pieces of cloth than real clothes.
November 10th, 2008 at 10:09 am
I don’t think that is the dress or they must have done a lot more alterations than the ones in the post.
The dress is beautiful though and she carries hersef very nicely too.
November 10th, 2008 at 10:30 am
can i just say that i LOVE that michelle dresses herself and her girls in ready to wear… I LOVE THAT….
i’m sure as she has to do more “stately” events that may fall to the wayside… but i love how unpretentious she at least, DRESSES… i think it lends… nevermind i dont want to get political… i just wanna say that i love that pretty much anyone can dress the way she does… even on a regular middle class budget…
November 10th, 2008 at 10:38 am
I love the Obama girls and it will be great to see them growing up over the next 8 years. That being said I do hope the they will not be overly deluged by the media and can lead a mostly private life.
November 10th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Fay,
I agree, I love that the First Lady to be shops off the rack. I think that it might change when she hits the WH because everyone wants her to wear their clothes. I read earlier this year that she even brings her own clothes to photoshoots which is really cool.
November 10th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Malia looks gorgeous and I love that she and her sister are both age-appropriate and “trendy.” However, I agree that those two dresses look nothing alike?
Regarding the “media” coverage of the girls. Fair or not, it comes with the territory and my favorite thing about this site is that it is a nice place where celebs can come and read POSITIVE comments when it starts to seem as though the other outlets are “out to get you.” When Malia starts discovering “news” about her clothing choices I sincerely hope somebody directs her here to see how real people who love children view her and her adorable looks.
November 10th, 2008 at 11:20 am
according to that same blog, little sasha’s dress is flying off the racks as well. they’re both completely adorable, and i wish their whole family all the best; they seem like a really close knit family & they’re going to continue to need each other. so far it seems their parents have done a wonderful job with them.
November 10th, 2008 at 11:23 am
and yes the above photo is of the wrong dress, the WSJ post has a different picture that is a much better match to what malia wore.
November 10th, 2008 at 11:48 am
I hope they’ll be able to keep them out of the spotlight as much as possible. The media as been cruel to White House children this far. I read and article about it recently and felt particularly sad for Amy Carter and Chelsea Clinton.
November 10th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
They are cute kids as such but will never be role models or the like for my nieces they have other more appropriate people to look up to .I dont think the media should force the girls into that position.So please media leave the Obama kids alone.They already have it hard enough.
November 10th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
I think Barack and Michelle will keep the girls best interests at hand and help them lead as normal of lives as possible over the next four years.
Of course the paparazzi will hound them, but unfortunately, that’s to be expected. All we can hope for is that they’re able to maintain stability and be kids for as long as possible.
On a side note, I thought the girls’ dresses were very classy and age appropriate.
November 10th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
If you want to be president and have small children, you need to expect they will be in the spotlight. America wants to see the children, and all of you who were leaving these comments, are visiting these sights because you want to see them too. If you would want to support them to be kept out of spotlights you wouldnt research the sites like CBB and others hoping to catch a glimpse
November 10th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
She shops off the rack but from which store? The emphasis on hers and Palin’s clothes was not necessary at all. I am sure the men had some help also. $110.00 for a dress for the daughter is not cheap.
November 10th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
I see your point Jade, and I agree that the media was particularly cruel to Amy Carter and Chelsea Clinton. That said, I am almost certain the Obama girls will not receive the same scrutiny. Whereas Amy and Chelsea were more awkward, Malia and Sasha are obviously very poised and self-assured. That air of confidence they both have is what will protect them from much if not all of the scrutiny Amy and Chelsea received, as well as the fact that they are better groomed. Because honestly speaking, a lot of what Amy and Chelsea got picked on for were their looks-Amy’s glasses, Chelsea’s hair, etc. Malia and Sasha don’t compare in that regard, though they will likely go through some stage of that sort during puberty, which is when the comparisons could surface.
Regardless, I absolutely loved Malia’s outfit and venture to say it is the best outfit I have ever seen for a child that age. Pure sophistication and class. Sasha was dressed wonderfully as well. So nice to see girls their age dressing in trendy yet tasteful clothes. If nothing else I hope their outfits set a different standard for clothes for girls their age.
November 10th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
I love both girls dresses. Its nice to see age appropriate clothes on children. And like it or not the girls will be role models. I think the Obamas know that. If you are in the public eye. You can’t control if you’re a role model or not.
November 10th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Who are those two people standing behind her?
November 10th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Shawny Swan – who’s more of an appropriate role model? The Obama girls are well behaved, dressed appropriately, and very confident. I would much rather children look up to them than Hannah Montana or Hillary Duff.
Anne – the expense for nice clothes is purely relative. $110 may be expensive for Joe Six Pack but not for the President-Elect. Not to mention, it was a historic occasion. $110 for a school outfit may be a bit much, but $110 dress for your father’s presentation as the first Black President of the United States – priceless!
November 10th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
@Anne,
JCrew, H and M, Nordstrom. That is OFF THE RACK!!
November 10th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
@Nikka,
Those are Barack and Michelle’s niece and nephew.
November 10th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Aitch, the Office of the President is only held for 4 year terms…not 8. Barack will run for reelection in 4 years…it’s not a given.
The girls looked cute that night and their dresses were adorable and age-appropriate. I’m sure they felt wonderful! They seem to like the spotlight!
November 10th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Stop saying Tween/Tweener, whatever. It’s disgusting.
November 10th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
They really are cute kids. So photogenic.
November 10th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
The girls looked much better than their mother. That dress should have stayed on the rack. The girls looked very sweet last Tuesday night; their smiles lit up the screen and gave me goosebumps and I didn’t even vote for their father!
)
November 10th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
I love Sasha. She’s a little livewire who’s going to bring serious laughs to the staff. I saw the news today say the Obama girls will be in the bedrooms John John and Caroline had, and I just think it would be so great to read that she told them about being a little girl there. Corny I know, but it’s so nice to be excited about a first family. I’ve read how much through the years how the Kennedy kids were so adored and I think the country has a similar effection for Sasha & Malia.
November 10th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Where does she get the money to buy those clothes from? our tax dollars? I guess so since we are paying Obama’s salary. Way to throw away money and my school can’t even afford a higher paper budget…And people were criticizing Palin for borrowing expensive clothes to look presentable. Sometimes I’m ashamed to be an American.
November 10th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
And for those of you saying they shop “off the rack” that’s absolutely ridiculous seeing as Michelle’s clothes are obviously not. Nordstrom’s is expensive and those of us who actually work for a living dont’ appreciate our hard earned money being taken out for their clothing when I can’t even afford Nordstrom’s and I’m a teacher! There has to be someone else willing to pay his salary.
November 10th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Well said jLin. I’d love for my students to look up to them rather than miley cyrus – and the difference between michelles clothes and palins is simply that she bought them herself!
November 10th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
For such a relatively young man to run for President, he and his wife are knowingly taking away their daughters’ ability to grow up out of the public eye.
Obviously they considered that and will have factored that into the decision, so it’s a little disingenuous to wish for the girls to have privacy.
I don’t want them to have to be role models – I hope they just have as much of a carefree and happy time in the next few years as they are able to.
November 10th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Michelle seems to be a genuinely hands on mom, who would much prefer to do things for her daughter, rather than have someone else do it. i think that dedication will help keep the girls grounded and still provide that sense of security, even if they do now have to grow up in the public’s eye.
That being said, Malia and Sasha are just too precious.
November 11th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
I agree with everyone’s hopes that the Obama girls will have some privacy over the next four years, but I see nothing wrong with a post like this. I don’t always like to see the shots of celeb kids at the park or on their way to school, but this is a photo released by the Obamas’ official photographer, from a public event. I definitely don’t think it’s an invasion of the girls’ privacy to post more pictures of them from events in the future.
November 16th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
She’s a very pretty girl with a nice sense of style, but I do wish the media would leave her alone and let her live a normal life to the best of her ability.
January 25th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Malia is a gorgeous girl and she has an awesome sense of style. i really wanna meet her one day!
April 18th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
HEY, I THINK THAT DRESS IS TOO CUTE ON HER AND THINK IF YOU PEOPLE WERE WEARING IT. COME ON. I WOULD BE WEARING THAT RIGHT NOW. I KNOW IT’S OPINIONS BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN COMMENT NASTY ON THAT DRESS THE PRESIDENT’S DAUGHTER IS WEARING. I LIKE IT ON YOU. SHE IS THE PRESIDENT’S DAUGHTER AND SHE IS ONE OF THE PRESIDENT’S DAUGHTERS AND SHE COULD DO WHAT EVER SHE WANTS WITH ANYTHING. SOMEONE GET MY POINT HERE. HEY, YOU LOOK VERY BEAUTIFUL IN THAT DRESS.