TOOLS of the TRADE:Michelle Obama Purple

Purple (my favortie color) has long been neglected and Michelle Obama reminded the world just how flattering it can be.


Now everyone's suddenly got a bit of regal Michelle purple. The purple shift began when she wore this dress, by Maria Pinto, in Minnesota in June when her husband won the Democratic nomination and she, famously, did the fist-bump with him.

It is no exaggeration to say that this dress caused near hysteria. It prompted the New York Times to write an adoring piece about her wardrobe under the headline "She Dresses to Win." The paper said that the color was "symbolically rich, even if its message may have been so subtle as to be subliminal."

First Lady Michelle Obama will grace the cover of Vogue's March issue. Mrs. Obama is only the second to grace the cover. She appears wearing a magenta silk sheath dress (still in the purple family) by Jason Wu, who also designed her inaugural gown.


You can even get your very own Michelle Obama purple button!


Michelle Obama has already brought purple back from the cold. Who knows what other shades she might redeem.