Beautiful Michelle Obama has impeccable style, and flaunted her taste in well plucked cardigans, A-line and pencil skirts, and flattering dresses while on a recent trip to Europe. Let’s take a look:

Michelle arrived with a splash, stepping off Air Force One in a chartreuse silk crepe Jason Wu dress and black cardigan, cinched with an Azzedine Alaïa belt. She continued her fashionable reign for a visit with Gordon and Sarah Brown in London…

… blessing the occasion in a fresh, practical J.Crew ensemble accented with her signature pearls . She kept her pearls on as an accent to her Isabel Toledo dress for a meeting with the Queen at Buckingham Palace:

…and of course let them complement her teal Jason Wu dress and Junya Watanabe asymmetrical cardigan for a G20 spouses meeting at the Royal Opera House in London:

Leaving for more fashionable pastures, Michelle opted for a Thakoon coat and floral jacquard dress for the NATO Summit Arrival Ceremony at Palais Rohan:

Then chose a dramatic Azzedine Alaïa Black Cocktail Dress, cardigan, and pumps for a cultural event in Baden-Baden :

She stayed with the classic, confident black for a stroll with Carla Bruni-Sarkozy in Strasbourg:

And finished off this Sunday in a black Michael Kors Skirt, Moschino Bow Top and Azzedine Alaïa belt:

Give your wardrobe its own stimulus package with these 16 first lady like items under $100:

*In a recent WWD article by Bridget Foley called Dressing Michelle: Major Designers Wait for First Lady’s Call, the writer asks “Where in the world are Donna, Ralph and Calvin?” and quotes designers like Oscar de la Renta who decry Madame O’s wardrobe choices, saying, “You don’t go to Buckingham Palace in a sweater” and, “I don’t object to the fact that Mrs. Obama is wearing J. Crew…But there are a lot of great designers out there. I think it’s wrong to go in one direction only.” Vera Wang adds, “I love seeing young designers and their vision…On the other hand, of course, I wish she would consider some of us, because I think we also have contributions to make.”
You certainly can’t please everyone!
*If you want minute by minute updates on Michelle Obama’s fashion forays, check out the blog Michelle O. Style.
Source & Source

Hey!

So today we’re having a contest sponsored by Chick Downtown, a hot cyberstore that carries brands like Black Halo, Diane von Furstenberg, and Alice and Olivia! They’re giving away this $135 Peace Fold Over Clutch by Moyna:

…to the Fashion Bombshell with the best site search skills.

We receive lots of  e-mails from enthusiastic Fashion Bombers, but a large majority ask questions we’ve already answered! So today we’re going to reward the reader who searches the site the best by using the search box at the top of the site, as well as the different categories and topics.

The first person to answer these five questions will win the prize!

Here we go:

1. Who designed Keyshia Cole’s Chateau Marmont strapless dress?

2. What is the name of this Real Style Subject’s Jewelry line?

3. What’s the best way I found to get rid of static cling?

4. What models did Adriana meet at the Vogue/BMW event?

5. Where did Vuitton get his new denim jacket?

E-mail your responses to thefashionbomb@gmail.com.

Happy Searching!

* Check out and stand out in Alice and Olivia Dresses from Chickdowntown.com

Stacey Bendet, a New York native, always loved pants – from the skinny and slim to the belled and bell bottomed. While studying at the University of Pennsylvania, she garnered herself quite a collection of denim. To quote Stacey, “stacks and stacks of it.” But denim’s ubiquitous blue kept Stacey searching for that perfect pair of pants. So, after years of vintage shopping, tweaking, tailoring, snipping and sewing, she set out to make her own pants. Something unique. Something different. Something Stacey. And with that, alice + olivia was born.

This video always reminds me of NYC:

Totally makes me nostalgic for summer! I’ll be visiting soon, stay tuned.
Until then, Enjoy!

Go to StefaniBags.com for cute totes, scarfs, and clutches like this $299 Cortina Clutch by Alexis Hudson:

Love! Enjoy an extra 20% off your purchase by entering BOMB20 at checkout!

Michelle on another cover. Ok this is getting to be a bit much:

Though it’s cute to see her mom.
See behind the scenes photos at www.Essence.com.

Hey hey!
So today we have a Fashion Bomb Exclusive Interview with…

…Brooke Crittendon!

The Harlem Heights spitfire is a certified fashionista who keeps it splashy with an arsenal of hot makeup and fashion finds. A Baltimore native, Brooke is a self described “denim freak” and once spent $5,000 on jeans in one shopping trip! Not one to hold back for style, Brooke took some time to reveal a few of her favorite fashionable things:

She says, “My look is a blend of 80’s, thrift, comfort and convenience. I definitely dig the ‘single of a pair’ movement of the 80’s, one glove, one earring, one legwarmer etc. I don’t wear a lot of heels because I don’t believe in walking around with my feet aching for fashion (or corns for that matter)! I tend to wear a lot of flat boots and gladiator sandals.”

A girl after my own heart!

She continues, “ I don’t like trends, so I shop for pieces at vintage and thrift shops to guarantee that I’m not in a place where someone is wearing what I have on. I keep a funky haircut and take liberties with my makeup, so it makes it easier for me to dress simply and not overdose on being fashionable. My favorite designers are Buddhist Punk, Betsey Johnson, and PINK. I have a lot of black in my wardrobe, because I think black is classic and timeless…and easy when you need to get dressed really quickly!”

She confesses that she stocks everything from hoodies to statement bags in her closet. “I love my “No Autographs Please’ hoodie because the arms are long and skinny…it’s hard for tall girls to find fitted tops where the arms are long enough! I also adore my ripped jeans. I had been looking for a pair ( I have thick thighs so I didn’t want them to fit tight) and found a perfect pair for $49 at an Intermix Warehouse Sale! Another must: my gray booties. I’ve had the same pair of gray suede flat ankle booties for the past 4 years. The sole is worn to pieces (when I wear them in the rain my feet get wet!) but they fit so perfectly, they are worn in to the shape of my foot, and they add a hint of sass to a simple outfit. “

She goes on, “My cinch belts add swag to a simple shirt and accentuate my small waist and full hips. I love my Louis Vuitton Mahina XL bag– I had been waiting to purchase a classic black leather purse, and when it came out last year I had to have it! It’s a perfect ‘city’ bag–I can dress it up or down and it can fit all my stuff. My gold Swatch big face watch never leaves my arm–it was $150 but looks like a Rolex! I also can’t live without my black leather jacket, gladiator sandals, and my two small cross necklaces. I wear a gold cross and a diamond cross together around my neck. They are very dainty and small, and are cute accents to my tops:“

Brooke brings it with the makeup, so shared a few beauty tips as well, “In my makeup bag, you’ll find Givenchy mascara, Shu Uemura loose finishing powder and liquid eyeliner, Ambi face moisturizer, and Chanel red lipstick. With perfumes, I prefer body sprays from Bath & Body Works or this oil that I get from a guy on 125th street!”

Very cool. Though Brooke definitely has a stronghold on fashion, she admits she still learned a lot from Harlem Heights Stylist (and Fashion Bomb friend) June Ambrose. She says, “June and her team definitely gave me a broader understanding of clothing and putting things together. They taught me how not to be matchy matchy with colors, how not to overdose on trends, and most importantly how to work with my body. I definitely stepped my style game up for Harlem Heights, but also gained an appreciation for laid back casual style when I’m not on camera..after those shoes and clothes I was happy to throw on a hoodie and some Nikes.”

See more of Brooke’s fabulousness on Harlem Heights, tonight at 10pm/9c on BET.

If you’ve ever drooled over a hot pair of red soled heels, Wednesday is your chance to get a pair of your own!

The Gilt Groupe (www.gilt.com) has joined with Christian Louboutin to host the mother of all sales this Wednesday. You’ve got to check it out!

If you’re not a member of Gilt, join courtesy of The Fashion Bomb at www.gilt.com/thefashionbomb.

Power couple Beyonce and Jay-Z hit up New York hot spot Pastis this weekend for a fashionable lunch:

They looked cute and casual in jeans, jackets, and sharp accessories.

If you want Beyonce’s look for less, go with these options (all under $100!):

Get Jay-Z’s swagger with these:

“Easy Breezy” was the theme of the weekend as the fashionable kept it lax and loose for early spring, with a few notable exceptions. It felt like the old school showed the new school a thing or two about coming fashionably correct for an event–what say you?

Reverend Run and Justine Simmons donned their Sunday best for Run-DMC’s long-overdue induction into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame. Mrs. Simmons kept it elegant in an A-line maize silk gown with matching satin underpinning, while the Rev rocked a dapper deacon suit and his customary clerical collar. A very adult contemporary hot!

In L.A., the I Heart Ronson collection launch attracted quite a few Bomb celebs, including “Idlewild” beauty Paula Patton. Mrs. Robin Thicke sported a grey suede mini-dress with cut-out shoulders and a demure splash of studs, along with matching bronze-hued accessories and brown leather open-toed pumps. Love the clutch and her makeup is gorgeous, but I don’t think the dress flatters her wonderful shape and would have liked to see her with a more imaginative hairstyle, Hmm…

“I Love You, Man” star Rashida Jones also showed up in cut-out shoulders to support good friend Charlotte Ronson. This blue gingham sundress is typical of her boho-chic style, as are her black opaque tights and chunky platform peep-toes. Like Paula Patton, Rashida’s a natural beauty whose face can light up the dreariest of ensembles but this comes off as a bit too frumpy even for her laid-back steez, Hmm…

Sanaa Lathan redeems the I Heart Ronson red carpet a little, though, working a flirty little sweetheart floral number with funky strappy sandals and a classic Chanel quilted shoulder bag. Kind of sassy and hot!

Fashion Bomb friend and über-stylist June Ambrose dipped into Veronica Lighty and Keesha Johnson’s dual b-day celebration in NYC wearing a fantastic shimmery puffer vest in cordovan with fitted blue jeans and a sheer black blouse with satin trim. As an architect of the Urban Fabulous aesthetic, Ms. June knows how to keep it simultaneously hip-hop and glam: hawt!

Finally, ’80s icon Jennifer Beals popped up at an awards event in Pacific Palisades, CA looking beautiful in a kind of Hippie-By-Way-of-Takashimaya look that suits her quite well. Would have loved to see pumps or strappy sandals in place of the tall suede boots but as a “Flashdance” stan, I’m just glad Ms. Beals is on the scene!
~Adri

Reader Tammy recently wrote in asking for the scoop on Rihanna’s handbag:

She says, “I need an electric blue bag for the summer and would love to know who designed this one!!“
As a Gucci spokeswoman, it’s only natural Rihanna is rocking the brand! She’s wearing this $3,350 Gucci Spring 2009 Darwin Backpack:

Saks and Barney’s only carries the bag in black, but you can find a blue version at www.gucci.com.
$3,000 too much for you? Try these blue beauts:

PS If you want another splurge, Rih Rih is also wearing these $675 Louis Vuitton Evidence Shades in White:

Visit www.louisvuitton.com for store locations.