Sure, the Oscars are about the best movies of the last year. But so much of the buzz last night was focused on the fashion.
Best dressed? Worst dressed? Who wore the biggest designers? Of course, America wants to know?
CNN's Alina Cho has a recap of Oscar night's biggest hits and misses, and finds that Old Hollywood style was the theme of the night.
On Monday and estimated 800,000 gathered at the National Mall to celebrate the second inauguration of President Barack Obama. Crowds both in Washington and across the globe also gathered to see the navy silk coat by American designer Thom Browne worn by the First Lady Michelle Obama. The coat was accessorized with gloves, shoes and a bejeweled belt from American retailer J.Crew – an Obama family favorite. The Obama’s eldest daughter Malia wore a J.Crew coat during the ceremonies.
This morning CNN National Correspondent Alina Cho and J. Crew executive creative director Jenna Lyons join “Starting Point” to discuss J.Crew’s part in American history.
After receiving a flurry of emails, texts and phone calls on the First Lady’s choice to dawn J.Crew accessories for a second inauguration, Lyons says yesterday turned out to be “an exciting morning.” On the business side Lyons says it’s difficult to equate the First Lady’s impact on her company into dollars. Mrs. Obama “shops like every other American… often times we don’t know that she’s going to wear it so it may no longer be available, it may be on sale and so for us it’s not about getting the sales from the actually thing,” Lyons says.
Lyons, who has never met the Obamas, says her sense of connection to the First Family is through the pieces they wear.
“People feel connected. They can have maybe the actual coat that Malia’s worn,” says Lyons.
Members of the U.S. Olympic team will be dressed head to toe in red, white and blue when they walk in to London's Olympic stadium in two weeks. Some lawmakers, however, are saying the China-made clothing is anything but patriotic.
The uniforms were designed by American fashion designer Ralph Lauren, a private sponsor of the Olympic team.
Senate Marjority Leader Harry Reid (D- NV) said Thursday, "I am so upset that I think the Olympic committee should be ashamed of themselves. I think they should be embarrased. I think they should take all the uniforms put them in a big pile and burn them. And start all over again."
Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY) and Sen. Kirsten Gilibrand (R-NY) penned a letter to the United States Olympic Committee Chairman Lawrence Probts that reads in part, "As American fans cheer for our Olympians, we should also be cheering for the American manufacturers and laborers reflected in the red, white and blue on their uniforms... We look forward to seeing the all our uniforms saying Made In America at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia."
Soledad O'Brien speaks with Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY) on CNN's "Starting Point" this morning about the Olympic team uniforms. "This is the country that landed a man on the moon," Rep. Israel says. "We should be able to manufacture clothing for our Olympic athletes in London next month."
Rep. Israel, like Sen. Reid, says the uniforms could be manufactured again, on U.S. soil, and be ready for the London games. He adds, "This is a big deal. "Made in America" is not just a label, it is an economic solution."