Michelle Obama evening dress sparks race row over 'nude' description

[FarCenter]

From the moment she stepped into the limelight, Michelle Obama was feted as the 'First Lady of Fashion'.

By Anita Singh, Showbusiness Editor
Published: 10:00PM BST 19 May 2010

One dress, however, has sent ripples through the fashion world for rather different reasons. Mrs Obama's choice of gown for a State dinner has sparked a debate about race and the delicate matter of whether one can call a dress colour 'nude' when it really depends on the wearer.

The dress in question, which Mrs Obama wore to meet Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the White House, was described by the designer as a "sterling-silver sequin, abstract floral, nude strapless gown".

That simple description has now caused a stir. "We talk of nude now and there is no one colour. It's politically incorrect," said Gale Epstein, founder of the US lingerie brand Hanky Panky. "There is a wide range for skin tone colours. Human skins tones are a whole colour palette unto themselves." Miss Epstein prefers to use a range of names, from "light chai" to "espresso", to describe her wares.

The Associated Press news agency was compelled to revise its reference to the dress colour from "flesh" to "champagne" after one fashion editor objected, asking: "Whose flesh? Not hers."

Pamella Roland, the eveningwear designer, also weighed into the debate, saying: "Nudes are a group of elegant shades, but there are a lot of specific shades. I can't describe a single specific colour for nude."

The row must be baffling for the designer in question - Naeem Khan, who was born and raised in Mumbai and now works in the US. He declined to comment yesterday but previously spoke of his delight at being chosen to make the dress for Mrs Obama.

<SNIP>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/michelle-obama/7741032/Michelle-Obama-evening-dress-sparks-race-row-over-nude-description.html

[WeDidIt]

1. Some times the damnedest things become controversial

I think she looks nice in the dress.

[xultar]

10. I don't think that is the point is it. It is a race issue. Taking a colour

and making it the standard of nude like that.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

30. People are trying to make it a race issue and looking pretty damn stupid in the process

[gratuitous]

2. Ohmigosh! Nude!

I hope the First Lady was wearing an extra pair of undies and bra so that she wouldn't be nekkid under her clothes. What a tizzy we'd all have to have then.

[blondeatlast]

3. FFS. Besides, even on my lily-whiite body, that wouldn't be "nude."

Where were thse nitwits when Laura Bush wore the ranch's living room couch?

[RC]

16. ROTFLMAO!

Good one! :rofl: :thumbsup:

[TorchTheWitch]

40. same with me

It would just emphasize how much I tend to glow in the dark. Lovely material though. It would look like shit on me seeing as I'm lily-white and blonde - I'd look like "A Study In Bland". Looks great on someone darker skinned with dark hair though.

[babylonsister]

4. I can't really think of anything more ridiculous to argue over.

It's baffling to moi!

[xultar]

7. As a woman of colourthough I will tell you that white people taking a colour &

making it "nude" pisses me off.

I've discussed this with the black women in my family and friends...we all have similar reactions to the colour "nude".

From my perspective it is the AP's fault for calling it nude. Who is so high and mighty that they can take a colour like that.

[ljm2002]

12. As a pasty white woman, I totally agree with you! n/t

[TorchTheWitch]

41. another pasty white here and totally agree

"nude" pantyhose is 200 shades darker than I am and just emphasizes my glow in the dark skin tone.

I'm so envious of darker skinned women for all the colors they can wear that on me look like crap.

[bobbolink]

42. I've also always been envious of all the bright colors a person with a more generous skin tone can

wear!

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[proud2BlibKansan]

57. Wow. You're making quite a splash.

Hope you like pepperoni!

[SidDithers]

58. That didn't take long...

Sid

[proud2BlibKansan]

59. Pretty obvious troll

Several posts all focusing on racial issues.

[Name removed]

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[blondeatlast]

13. As I said upthread, it sure as hell wouldn't be nude on me, and I'm REALLY white.

As in, pale. "Nude" is a stupid way to describe it, period. somehow, I think fashion writers might have more descriptive terms at hand--yanno, like the ones I had for Laura Bush's upholstery--er, suits.

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[babylonsister]

18. I'm sorry, xultar. I had no idea this was a touchy subject.

Not a clue here; now I know. :hi:

[Name removed]

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[Luminous Animal]

19. I'm not excusing the AP but they did get the description from the designer.

It seems as though the designer needs a bit of education.

[xultar]

24. I think we all do, panty hose, lingere, bandages...all say their stuff is flesh or nude

It pissed me off since I was a kid that what people feel the correct colour of flesh and what is proper nude didn't match me.

I remember a black man started a company of bandages for us...but they folded.

I just don't think it is fair for people to consider their flesh or nude colour the ideal.

[Name removed]

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[Tailormyst]

67. You should be pissed off.

Nude and flesh are not colors.

[pokercat999]

5. Sweatshirt or evening wear there is no question our First Lady

is a knockout.

[goclark]

8. No question at all ~ none nt

[Kahuna]

6. These people need to get over themselves. Sheesh. nt

[NOLALady]

9. OMG!

ROTFLMFAO:rofl:

[Warpy]

11. "Nude???" Call it CREAM, stupid!"

There, controversy settled.

Honestly, the brainless drones we share this planet with will do just about anything to create something to chitchat about with pursed lips.

[Name removed]

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[DebbieCDC]

14. Looks more like French Vanilla to me

or maybe beach sand color

The point is: who gives a sh**? It's a nice dress. She looked great in it. End of story.

[Radical Activist]

15. My friends and I were up all night debating it.

:eyes:

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[Blue_In_AK]

17. Whatever...

She looks dazzling.

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[pipi_k]

20. Oh, for Petes sake!!!

It looks like silver and orange sherbet!



Probably "nude" on John Boehner, though

[Rex]

21. I know exactly why Repuke/Baggers hate the Obamas

they are a good looking couple that shows intended/unintended class and dare I say, RESPECT for the office held? Lurkers, give it up those two have you guys running around in circles like dogs chasing their tails.

[demosincebirth]

33. Thats one good reason!

[undeterred]

22. Remember the 'flesh' colored crayon?

It was definitely caucasian flesh.

[daleo]

23. I think it's called peach now.

Flesh colored was a stupid way to put it.

[undeterred]

29. Yeah, it was stupid.

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[xultar]

26. I hated that crayon. I'd always break it and throw it away when my mom got my school

supplies.

[msanthrope]

39. There was a famous "Bloom County" strip about that....

turns out Crayola had taken out the 'flesh' color years before....but kept in 'indian red' until Opus pointed it out.

[Blue_Tires]

43. I do remember the "flesh" color as a kid back in the 80s

i thought it was strange even then...

[eppur_se_muova]

44. Wow, they had "flesh" back in the 80's?? I thought it was "peach" in the early 60's.

They should have just given it a simple descriptive name, like "hemoglobin-infused collagen".

[msanthrope]

45. Now you can buy skin-toned Crayolas in a separate pack--

Crayola Multicultural Crayons


My kid's school has them.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

65. Um, "indian red" is named after a clay rich soil found commonly in India.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laterite

I would have expected a comic artist to have known that.

[spanone]

25. such silliness

[xultar]

27. So it is silly that black people have had to put up with the Flesh and Nude

bullshit?

[blaze]

31. Interesting though, that the deisgner is from India

Not exactly a white guy himself.

I totally get how offensive this could be to people of color (pasty white here) and would hope to see the term removed as a descriptor for color.

That being said, if a fashion designer from India uses the term nude to describe a color, I'm guessing that there must be some sort of accepted "industry standard" of what "nude" describes.

Perhaps this will be a jumping off point for getting "nude" out of the fashion industry's lexicon.

But DAMN she looks good in this dress!!!

http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/michelle-obamas-nude-gown-sparks-controversy-20100517-v7bc.html

[xultar]

36. India has the same thing with colour and class...so it doesn't surprise me

that the designer is Indian.

[marshall]

38. India, China, don't these folks know how to use non-racist English?

<>

[Lucian]

28. Of all the things to bitch about...

they pick this.

:eyes:

"Nude" can mean a whole host of colours. I don't see how it's a black issue vs white issue.

[Motown_Johnny]

32. her popularity is way to high, they will attack her for absolutely anything at all

[demosincebirth]

34. "Making mountains out of mole hills."

[Name removed]

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[gleaner]

35. How petty can people be?

I went to the link. It is a beautiful dress and she looks beautiful in it. She is a very classy, elegant woman who carries fashion well. Why not just say that she is wearing a lovely, striking dress that compliments her and leave it at that?

[greencharlie]

37. what a stupid reference to color... it's a lovely dress but not NUDE!! nt

[SidDithers]

56. Here's the dress...

Sid

[NYC_SKP]

60. What the hell is that on Felipe Calderón's head???

:P

Here's another pic of the dress:



:patriot:

[Name removed]

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[Karenina]

68. I'd call it "Silver Sand."

It's a BEAUTIFUL dress!!! I WISH I could try it on just to feel the drape of the fabric. But I couldn't wear it, I'm MUCH too short. And of course there's that bear arms thingy. Or did I mean bare arms... :evilgrin:

[Blue_In_AK]

69. I think i probably would have called that "champagne"

rather than nude.

[Tailormyst]

66. I think it brings up a great point.

Nude and flesh as the names of colors should have been done away with long ago. The dress and the first lady are stunning, no matter what they call the colors!.

[SoxFan]

70. Life imitating DU

God help us if she ever has lunch at an Olive Garden.

[Javaman]

71. Sometimes I think I live in the dumbest damn country. nt