Michelle's Pricey Sneakers Raise Eyebrows

First Lady's $540 Sneakers By French Designer Sparks Controversy

(CBS)  Our fashion cost-conscious First Lady Michelle Obama has been seen sporting some pretty pricey sneakers lately.

Are they worth the price? Or the uproar? Early Show co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez took a closer look.

While volunteering Wednesday at a Washington, D.C. food bank, the first lady topped off her J.Crew ensemble with some very stylish $540 Lanvin sneakers.

The sneakers are drawing a lot of controversy and some are mad that she has been wearing them.

"She used them to walk the dog," Rodriguez said. "I think she's worn them - she says she wakes up at 5:00 in the morning to walk her dog. And her response to all this was, 'they're just shoes,' but they're expensive shoes."

According to Daily News Fashion Editor Amy Diluna, "these sneakers - suede, with grosgrain ribbon laces and metallic pink toe caps - are made by French design house Lanvin, one of fashion's hottest labels."

Diluna says the sneakers, which are a "cult favorite among fashionistas," come in denim and satin versions, and have been "a brisk seller all spring."

"A week ago, Michelle shoveled dirt at a tree planting while wearing the line's chiffon tank," Diluna noted. "Dresses and strappy pumps cost upward of $1,500, while tops go for $400 to $1,000."

Other celebrity fans of Lanvin sneakers include Ellen DeGeneres and Kanye West.

[sreggie]

Of course Michelle Obama can wear whatever kind of shoe sneaker she wants.

However, how sensitive is it to be doing charity work in such expensive duds? Is it necessary to wear such costly footwear when helping the needy and you know you're going to be photographed?

I can only imagine the "she just doesn't get it" comments had the former First Lady done something similar.

I'm so glad the Obamas get it.

[katg21]

TEABAGGERS always whine and complain about everything to do with the DemsPosted by toldyouso29

You're an idiot. Teabaggers...I mean really, get a new one already. Some lefty news broadcaster drilled that term into your head...grow a brain DRONE. Not that you care to understand, because you are a drone, but the tea parties were protests against raising taxes and the growth of government. You must really like high taxes huh? And, you actually put your trust in our government to run everything? Remind me again what the approval rating of congress is...somewhere around 20%. Sure...I want them running our banks and healthcare system...they really knowwhat they're doing (har, har). You are a mindless drone...SNAP OUT OF IT ALREADY!!!

[batchitcrazy]

Hey-Leave her alone. She is finally "proud to be an American" and she has buff arms.
Obamanation
Posted by wtlibs at 6:06 PM : May 4, 2009
--------------------------------
Still riding that dead horse are we? Hey sparky.. google this "Cindy McCain, Proud"
You will find comments hauntingly similar to those of the first lady which were spoken by Cindy.... where's the outrage now?

[bwlewis1964]

Do you really know her well enough to make an opinion? Just food for thought.

[Karladesi]

Does it really matter about her sneakers and how much she paid for them. I really don't care just like I did not care when Hillary was wearing St. John or Laura Bush her ultra conservative suits. These things are not relevant to the masses. She has stated in the past if they don't buy it they don't wear it. When you are paying for something you can wear whatever your heart desires.

[dragyn30]

Give us a break folks!!! She is a well educated career woman herself, no doubt she supports herself (or can support herself) quite well - she is a lawyer! I work with folks who have similar indulgences. LEAVE HER ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pat_MiCrotch78]

More double standard BS. Leave Michelle alone. She can spend like she wants...blah blah blah. If she really wants to spend that kind of money she could do it better ways. You guys are a bunch of elitest.

[toldyouso29]

Oh really, Reagan paid for his renovations with his own money. By the way no other President had shady Real estate deals that saved him thousands. Oh Really, Stop b.s with unknown false statements bozo
Posted by dhutch88 at 5:46 AM : May 5, 2009


No he did not. Nancy Reagan ran afoul of the public when it was revealed that she totally overhauled the WH private quarters AND bought new China to the tune of over 250K. Later, Nancy offered to purchase the China from the WH-- but the renovations remained done at our expense.

[toldyouso29]

When the McCain campaign tryed to help the fashion industry by putting Gov. Palin in highend fashion she was ridiculed. But if Mrs. Obama does the same, we need to ' leave her alone". Sarah Palin should have had the right to show other women what is fashionable without being bashed. The McCain campaign tryed to help the fashion industry during this recession, only to be criticised.
Posted by bassinapple at 5:57 AM : May 5, 2009


Palin did not spend her own money to dress--she did it with campaign contributions, and she campaigned on being 'ordinary' and everyday. Obama is using her own money (as far as we know) and she was never running for office. You should note that while McCian was running, cindy McCain routinely dressed in clothes that cost thousands and her gown at the convention was reported to be over 10K--BUT who really cared? Cindy McCain bought her own clothes and she was NOT the one running for office or campaigning on a platform.

Try giving Michelle the same lee way. HER MONEY? she can spend it as she chooses. The President works for us--but we do not OWN him or his family--everyone should handle their own business and stop trying to mind everyone else's.

[toldyouso29]

Republicans are now sounding like Communists---wanting the wife of the leader of our country to dress and spend like everyone else in the Proletariat. LMAO Too funny.

[toldyouso29]

aryder, the Obama's are REGULAR people, regardless of their recent or current salaries. THEY WORKED HARD to amass what they have. By the way, instead of using the allotted budget to redecorate the People's House, i.e. The White House, the Obama's are using THEIR OWN FUNDS! taryder and the rest of you judgmental folks , complain about that!

This complaint and the rest of the ridiculous complaints about Michelle Obama need to stop! Remember, when you point your finger at someone, THREE are pointing back at you!
Posted by busbus5 at 3:03 PM : May 4, 2009


TEABAGGERS always whine and complain about everything to do with the Dems. We KNOW it is not about the money--because these same people defended Sarah Palin, Halliburton, the missing 900 million in Iraq, the lavishness of Cindy McCain, etc. They are not complaining because Michelle is spending 500 dollars of her money--they are 'sniping' because they are hurt, frustrated and jealous to be out of power and like bitter, spoiled brats, if they can't have something, they want that something (America) to be destroyed rather than let anyone else have it.

Pity them. This is all they have now.........................LOL

[toldyouso29]

Certainly glad she is using the shoes to impress because that ugly scary face and those bow legs will never be fashionable no matter what she does.
Posted by seriousinusa at 7:48 PM : May 4, 2009


..and just think....no mater how pretty YOU are or how gorgeous YOUR legs are or how fashionable YOU are...YOU will probably never have her money, her fame or EVER be first lady...so go on HATERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! WE FEEL YA. lmao

[toldyouso29]

The sneakers are drawing a lot of controversy and some are mad that she has been wearing them.

"She used them to walk the dog," Rodriguez said. "I think she's worn them - she says she wakes up at 5:00 in the morning to walk her dog. And her response to all this was, 'they're just shoes,' but they're expensive shoes."


who CARES how much her shoes cost? She paid for them out of her own pocket right? Who complained about condi's Ferragamo and Fendi shoes (400 to 900 a pop) of Nancy reagan's China? 1200.00/ place setting, or anyone else's expenditures? Our leaders are not supposed to be Walmart shoppers. As long as they use their own miney for purchases, it is absolutely NONE OF OUR BUSINESS. Obama gets 400K as President? Then I think Michelle can afford 540.00 shoes. Michelle shops at J Crew for the value not the cost--and because she like that style--but with bracelets at 150 to 300 dollars and most tops and sweaters starting at 70.00 and going up to over 300.00 J. Crew is NOT a cheap oe cost conscious store by stretch of any imagination except the wealthy. Most Americans cannot afford to shop J. Crew or Anthropologie, or Max Azria, or furla, or Kate spade, or Saks, or Neiman Marcus, or Marc Jacobs or Hollister, or A & f...so J. Crew is NOT the barometer for everyday Americans.

If we wanted a first lady who was a K-mart shopper--we would not look at people who are already in Politics. No lawyer who is successful in politics and who makes over a million/year is shopping at Walmart.

I make a lot less than the Obamas (stratospherically less and I buy --at least twice a year---purses that cost between 900.00 and 1200.00 EACH. C'est la vie. LOL

[bassinapple]

When the McCain campaign tryed to help the fashion industry by putting Gov. Palin in highend fashion she was ridiculed. But if Mrs. Obama does the same, we need to ' leave her alone". Sarah Palin should have had the right to show other women what is fashionable without being bashed. The McCain campaign tryed to help the fashion industry during this recession, only to be criticised.

[dhutch88]

Our country has an intelligent, attractive, and youthful in appearance First Lady, and we discuss the sneakers on her feet.
Posted by JackGarvey


WHERE

[dhutch88]

Oh really? Well what other president EVER paid for the private quarters ofr the WH to be remodeled by their own PRIVATE money? None. What for president paid for his own food bill in the WH? NONE!

Think before you speak! You'll preserve your reputation.
Posted by Stuart2560 at 5:08 AM : May 5, 2009
+ report abuse + permalink
Oh really, Reagan paid for his renovations with his own money. By the way no other President had shady Real estate deals that saved him thousands. Oh Really, Stop b.s with unknown false statements bozo

[endurorob]

I hear Obama talking about making sacrifice. Does not look like his family is making much in the way of sacrifice.

[abbe91]

....whether it's our money or their money.
Posted by itsjustathought at 6:40 PM : May 4, 2009

Maybe that's the point. She doesn't rob the country like others did.

[abbe91]

265 days and counting>
Posted by bsmule at 5:41 PM : May 4, 2009

Explain your math ... I'm just curious.

[JackGarvey]

Our country has an intelligent, attractive, and youthful in appearance First Lady, and we discuss the sneakers on her feet.