On January 20, 2009 everybody across the United States was glued to their television sets to see the first inauguration of the now re-elected American President Barack Obama, held in Washington. But along with him, millions also noticed his better half Michelle Obama, who looked classy in a creamy yellow dress with a matching overcoat. Not many knew that Isabel Toledo was the creator of the First Lady’s much-admired dress.
Who’s Isabel Toledo and How Did Her Association with Mrs. Obama begin?
Cuban-American Isabel was an ardent sewer since a young age. She has been designing over the last 25 years and is famous in fashion circles for her impulsive sense of fabrics, patterns and fits. After a brief stint at Anne Klein as the creative director, Isabel has been designing clothes under her own name.
Toledo says that Michelle Obama bought clothes designed by her from a retail outlet without her knowledge. She was invited to a fund raising event, where she was pleasantly surprised to see Mrs. Obama dressed in one of her creations. Being impressed with her fashion sense, the First Lady asked Isabel to design a yellow and lime dress for the swearing-in ceremony, which was appreciated immensely.
Payless Asks Isabel to Design an Exclusive Shoe Line
Soon after, Toledo became an international household name and was approached by Payless ShoeSource, an American retailer popular for offering fancy footwear at discounted prices, to launch a collection of womens shoes that was unveiled in September 2010. The Toledo range was available at Payless stores across United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Philippines, Russia and nations in the Middle East.
Isabel Toledo described her range of shoes for Payless as sophisticated, chic and modern. The chief inspiration for the designer was to create a shoe line that she could wear on a regular basis and at the same time make a bold fashion statement. The shoes, which include a blend of square heels, flats, pumps in colours like black, brown and red, are stylish yet reasonably priced.
Sticking to Payless’s objective of providing trendy and good quality footwear at discounted amounts, none of the shoes in their collection are over US$60. Isabel Toledo has done an incredible job in creating designer shoes at affordable prices and catering to the masses. And she certainly owes it to the First Lady!
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| Michelle Obama in Isabel Toledo's Suit |
Who’s Isabel Toledo and How Did Her Association with Mrs. Obama begin?
Cuban-American Isabel was an ardent sewer since a young age. She has been designing over the last 25 years and is famous in fashion circles for her impulsive sense of fabrics, patterns and fits. After a brief stint at Anne Klein as the creative director, Isabel has been designing clothes under her own name.
Toledo says that Michelle Obama bought clothes designed by her from a retail outlet without her knowledge. She was invited to a fund raising event, where she was pleasantly surprised to see Mrs. Obama dressed in one of her creations. Being impressed with her fashion sense, the First Lady asked Isabel to design a yellow and lime dress for the swearing-in ceremony, which was appreciated immensely.
Payless Asks Isabel to Design an Exclusive Shoe Line
Soon after, Toledo became an international household name and was approached by Payless ShoeSource, an American retailer popular for offering fancy footwear at discounted prices, to launch a collection of womens shoes that was unveiled in September 2010. The Toledo range was available at Payless stores across United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Philippines, Russia and nations in the Middle East.
Isabel Toledo described her range of shoes for Payless as sophisticated, chic and modern. The chief inspiration for the designer was to create a shoe line that she could wear on a regular basis and at the same time make a bold fashion statement. The shoes, which include a blend of square heels, flats, pumps in colours like black, brown and red, are stylish yet reasonably priced.
Sticking to Payless’s objective of providing trendy and good quality footwear at discounted amounts, none of the shoes in their collection are over US$60. Isabel Toledo has done an incredible job in creating designer shoes at affordable prices and catering to the masses. And she certainly owes it to the First Lady!
