Why potential first ladies must wear black

NEW YORK: For her first official meet-and-greet with New York's fashion industry, Michelle Obama adhered to the cardinal rule of style - she wore all black.

At a June 17 fund-raiser in her honor, Obama chose to wear a black ensemble by Isabel Toledo, accented with a striking costume necklace by Tom Binns. The potential first lady arrived promptly to the reception at the Sikkema Jenkins & Co. gallery in Chelsea, minutes after hosts Andre Leon Talley, Anna Wintour, both of Vogue, and Wintour's significant other, Shelby Bryan. Once inside, Talley introduced her to the crowd, which included fashion designers Catherine Malandrino, Erin Fetherston, Cynthia Rowley and Thakoon Panichgul, who had paid either $1,000 or $2,300 to attend. And, according to one source, the crowd was "pumped" by Obama's presence, in spite of the soaring temperatures inside the venue.

A number of designers spoke out in favor of Obama. "I'm excited for Obama becoming president," says Zac Posen, who was wearing a "Yes, we can" T-shirt emblazoned with Barack Obama's face under his suit. "I think it's always great for someone who represents our country to look good, but most important is for the values of our country to be in place."