LONDON – Michelle Obama was in the news again this week for an unusual ensemble she wore to Westminster Abbey with her daughters in London. The outfit, while colorful and interesting, was a bold step for the First Lady who is most often noticed for her fashion choices.

French First Lady and former supermodel Carla Bruni was quoted in Le Monde as saying, “If she wants to put looking good aside in favor of focusing on time with her daughters, I can respect that.  I wish I had the courage to go out in public looking like that.”

Incensed, Michelle Obama immediately challenged Carla Bruni to a Walk-Off.

Both First Ladies agreed to compete in a best of five Walk-Off to see who could wear their clothes best.  A complete media blackout was maintained as this was a non-UN sanctioned event.

Michelle Obama, a lawyer by trade, wrote out the agreement stating they would follow old-school rules.  Also included was a clause stating that Bruni, a well documented immortal, could use none of her mystic powers during the competition.  The document was signed and Michelle Obama utilized her sleeveless summer dress by flexing her guns to intimidate the French head of state.  Mrs. Bruni showed only indifference before flying to her dressing room.

Heidi Klum, Yves Saint Laurent, and David Bowie were tapped to be judges.  Tim Gunn, who happened to be there at the time, was allowed to officiate.  The two powerhouses of politics and fashion went head to head in their best five outfits to a select crowd of London’s elite.

The audience was stunned at the elegance and grace both women brought to the runway.  Summer, winter, and formal fashions showed refined taste, and the poise of competing world leaders.  In the final round Michelle Obama pulled into the lead with a fashion forward Jackie-O inspired ensemble.  Carla Bruni attempted to come back with a gold Roman-inspired evening gown.  However her sheer top clearly violated the international nipple rules.  David Bowie disqualified her immediately.

Impressed by each others poise and abilities Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Bruni have since made amends.  The two remain Facebook friends and most political scientists consider them strong “frenemies”.

NEW YORK, NY – It’s Fashion Week in New York City and some of the world’s greatest designers have descended on Bryant Park to show off their work.

Because of the current state of affairs, a global recession and millions without jobs, many designers are looking to the future for inspiration, making their clothes a reflection of our collective wish for brighter tomorrows.

Jean-Paul Jacqueti started off Monday’s festivities with his Space Age influenced line.    Reflective materials, velcro, and fully encapsulating suits took center stage in his morning show.  Jacqueti’s line focused mostly on eye-catching evening wear and outfits that provide insulation from temperatures between -48° and 250° Fahrenheit.

Donna Karan stunned critics with her line focused on Retro-Futurism.  Karan presented a vision of the future as it was seen in the 1970s, with articles inspired by David Bowie and the Jetsons.  Clothes intentionally didn’t fit right, a reaction to our dreams never matching up with what we actually need.  Also, the clothes are intentionally distressed to look like they were created in the 70′s, which the artist says is because the hopes of yesterday have worn out and need to be replaced.  The highlight of this show was the Ziggy Stardust as a barista ensemble.

Thakoon Panichgul’s Post-Apocalyptica line was created as a reaction to the trend in looking forward. His message being that focusing on the horizon can leave today’s problem’s overlooked.  The standard motifs of leather, face paint, and mohawks have been reclaimed for day to day office wear.  Being a favorite designer of the Obama administration, we may see blazers with matching eye-patches or Blackberry-ready gun holsters on the first family.

Missy Von Lichtenstein amazed fashionistas with her line: Post-Post-Apocalyptic.  Loin cloths and animal pelts abounded as models strutted down the catwalk.  A message that going too far forward can take you back to the beginning, Lichtenstein’s green alternative is American made and fully sustainable.  The mink and fox hide 3 piece suit won over reluctant critics.  At the end of the show, Von Lichtenstein came out on the runway to take her bow, and doused herself in red paint.