J.Crew capitalizing on Obama girls?

Posted: Wednesday, July 08, 2009 10:53 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Norah O'Donnell, Barack Obama

From MSNBC's Norah O'Donnell

J.Crew today is flashing on the front-page of its crewcuts section, "The famous coats you've been waiting for."

When you click the link, you can pre-order the peach and purple coats Malia and Sasha Obama wore to their father's inauguration in January.

The preppy clothing line is already taking heat for trying to profit off the Obamas' decision to sport their clothes. Yesterday, a spokesman for J.Crew insisted they never sent out a press release touting all the details on the trench coats and ballet flats the first daughters wore in Moscow.

Instead, J.Crew said it only responded to media inquires. The First Lady's office tells NBC News, "We do not believe the girls should be used for marketing purposes."

It should be noted that J.Crew does not mention the Obama daughters' names on its Web site.

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Comments

Everything is for sale in the Obama family. They're kind of like the Jackson family in that regard.

Joe Jackson, Indiana (Sent Wednesday, July 08, 2009 11:01 AM)

This isn't really that unusual for first-family clothing styles to find their way into the open market. Nonetheless, be ready for the rightie-rantings on this one.

(From another post)
Jawillie-I tried to post this yesterday-there seemed to be a problem with posts in the afternoon. The post to which I referred referenced Michael Steele. If it was someone posting in your name, that person should be ashamed. Whoever posted it, I stand by my words. Thankfully, the moderators pulled it after my post.
no joe, no bo, nj (Sent Wednesday, July 08, 2009 10:02 AM)
=========
In which case I stand corrected for a response I posted in another blog entry (which may or may not have made the posting window) where I thought you were referencing something that I actually DID post. My advanced apologies for jumping the gun on this one.

http://jawillie.blog.com

jawillie Philadelphia, PA (Sent Wednesday, July 08, 2009 11:03 AM)

Well well capitalism comes to the Obama White House, but in a good way. It's good that the Obama Girls are fashion models pumping up the fashion industry. J. Crew is smart to take advantage of their popularity to push a new line of clothes. Notice that J. Crew isn't dumb enough to try to use Caribou Barbie and her pathetic choice of clothes to push a new line. Quitter Palin will never have the style and grace of Michelle Obama, nor the intelligence and honesty.

Just Say Yes to the Obama Fashion Craze!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Wednesday, July 08, 2009 11:03 AM)

You just know there is a back room deal contract between the Obama's and J.Crew. There will be tens of millions of dollars in Obama's bank account when he levaes office in 2012. Obama won't have to work another day in his life, just as long as he keeps getting the kiddies out front and center for the cameras.

Layne R., Plano Texas (Sent Wednesday, July 08, 2009 11:04 AM)

Oooooo, "Coat Gate" . . . . can we get a congressional hearing?

Slow news day folks?

Nashville_fan (Sent Wednesday, July 08, 2009 11:06 AM)

Leave the Obama girls alone. They did not run for public office. Their father did...and won. As much as possible, the girls deserve a normal life.

Ron Indiana (Sent Wednesday, July 08, 2009 11:12 AM)

MSNBC - nice to see something from Nora, have missed her smiling face during the day!

cindy, las vegas, nv (Sent Wednesday, July 08, 2009 11:14 AM)

I believe Michelle is pimping out her children.

Keep the Change (Sent Wednesday, July 08, 2009 11:16 AM)

Oh sure Layne, because they need the money right. Be serious. Sarah Palin won't have to work another day in her life, just as long as she keeps getting the kiddies out front and center for the cameras!

cindy, las vegas, nv (Sent Wednesday, July 08, 2009 11:21 AM)

Kind of a non-story...

Can you really blame J. Crew in this economic environment for trying to capitalize on the popularity of the Obama girls? And of course, their parents are going to stress that they want their girls to be out of the spotlight as much as possible.

Telling tween-age girls that "Hey, if you liked Malia's outfit, you can get it at J. Crew" doesn't seem all that harmful. If J. Crew can maintain this balance without crossing the line, then they stand to do well.

Suburban Mom paying attention, IL (Sent Wednesday, July 08, 2009 11:24 AM)

Market the Obie kids. Market them day and night.

They are going to have a lot of explaining to do concerning their old man when the get older.

Bad Chihuahua (Sent Wednesday, July 08, 2009 11:25 AM)

Joe Jackson, Indiana (Sent Wednesday, July 08, 2009 11:01 AM)
Everything is for sale in the Obama family. They're kind of like the Jackson family in that regard.

**************************
Joe Jackson,
I don't know who you are so I will call you empty headed. Sales increase are good for the economy.
Jackson family records are also sales increases

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Wednesday, July 08, 2009 11:28 AM)

ummm so what. They wore coats that were affordable and accessable to anyone who cares. I do not see how Obama is profitting from that and who cares if JCrew does? I think it is kind of cool that Ms. Obama and the kids wear some fashions that are not ridiculously priced or only designer labels. I believe Michelle has worn Banana Republic also.

Pthomas Louisville, KY (Sent Wednesday, July 08, 2009 11:36 AM)

The only surprise to me is that it took J. Crew this long to capitalize on the girls' clothes.

And to Layne R., Plano Texas (Sent Wednesday, July 08, 2009 11:04 AM)--

Quit being ignorant - President Obama already has money from the sales of the 2 best-selling books he wrote. What, didn't you know about the books?

Sharon IL (Sent Wednesday, July 08, 2009 11:36 AM)

All celebrities profit $$$ from wearing designer clothing or jewelry just by mentioning the name. Nothing new here. Michelle and her girls preferred wearing J. Crew prior to the White House.

Natalie, WA (Sent Wednesday, July 08, 2009 11:41 AM)

Steeler Fan Pittsburgh PA (Sent Wednesday, July 08, 2009 11:53 AM)

This isn't really that unusual for first-family clothing styles to find their way into the open market. Nonetheless, be ready for the rightie-rantings on this one.

----------

Really? So what suits did Geroge Bush wear? We know Obama gets his suits from Hartmarx - they just went bankrupt and were sold to a British company.

What cloths did Laura Bush wear? No one knows. We know what Michelle wears, it's in all the magazines.

What cloths did the Bush's daughters wear? No one knows. We know what the obama daughters wear though.

It's just an Obama thing. He's more celebrity then he is President.

E Entertainment (Sent Wednesday, July 08, 2009 11:56 AM)

Natalie, WA - All celebrities profit $$$ from wearing designer clothing or jewelry just by mentioning the name.

You got it right, when you said "celebrities". Too bad we we're looking for a President.

Celeb One (Sent Wednesday, July 08, 2009 11:57 AM)

Nothing new. Fashion designers cash in on celebrities wearing their stuff all the time. The fact that JCrew happenes to use Obama's girls for their gain is despicable. Children, especially those whose parents specifically forbid such things, should not be exploited in any way, shape, or form.

eagle1776 (Sent Wednesday, July 08, 2009 11:57 AM)

Conservative trolls in the comments are sure quick to criticize without even finishing the story.

J. Crew is USING the Obama kids to sell clothes. Get it. Quite simple.

But no, you trolls go right ahead and twist it up in your little minds all you want. Sure, Obama is selling this. He doesn't get enough from book sales. No, he's got some backdoor deal with J.crew.

Whatever works in your tiny, twisted little worlds conservatives. Have fun.

Allen F (Sent Wednesday, July 08, 2009 11:58 AM)

Joe Jackson,
I don't know who you are so I will call you empty headed. Sales increase are good for the economy.
Jackson family records are also sales increases

Beverly in Chicago

Then Obama should do a car ad next. Note to the Democrats though, make sure it's with GM.

General Matters (Sent Wednesday, July 08, 2009 12:00 PM)

Hey, Layne R.-check the aluminum foil on your head-some alien transmissions might get through. How about thinking that the Obamas are letting their daughters wear affordable clothes from US companies? There isn't anything more to it than that.
Steeler Fan Pittsburgh PA

Lots of affordable cloths are made in maerica. Why do the Obama always end up with J.Crew?

Layne R., Plano Texas (Sent Wednesday, July 08, 2009 12:03 PM)

What cloths did Laura Bush wear? No one knows. We know what Michelle wears, it's in all the magazines.

What cloths did the Bush's daughters wear? No one knows. We know what the obama daughters wear though.

It's just an Obama thing. He's more celebrity then he is President.
E Entertainment (Sent Wednesday, July 08, 2009 11:56 AM)

Dear E -- nobody gave a crap what the Bushes wore - why would they - she looked like the librarian she was (nothing wrong with that) and he was an idiot who strutted around like a banty rooster. The only clothes people would usually wish to emulate are stylish clothes.

However, I do remember a very big hoopla about the very expensive designer inauguration gown Nancy Reagan wore, and then there was Jackie O.

Sharon IL (Sent Wednesday, July 08, 2009 12:14 PM)

Shame shame to those who could not resist the oppportunity to bash two little girls. They deliberately wore those clothers for profit? Seriously? Whatever brand they choose would result in the same risk.

J. Richter (Sent Wednesday, July 08, 2009 12:45 PM)

Too bad Michelle can't endorse a clothing company for her kids that actually make the clothing in the U.S.

Wally (Sent Wednesday, July 08, 2009 1:01 PM)

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