Maria Pinto, The American Fashion Designer

Michelle Obama and Maria Pinto

If it's one thing Michelle Obama cannot be accused of is being selfish, as she has taken not only herself but a string of fashion designers to the white house with her. Maria Pinto is just another American fashion designer who has benefited from Michelle Obama's iconic fashion sense.

Obama started wearing Pinto's designs back in 2004 when her husband was running for the senate. Pinto's big moment came when Michelle Obama choose to wear a turquoise dress designed by Pinto to give her speech at the Democratic Convention in Denver at the Pepsi Centre on August 25, 2008.


Accessories and Michelle Obama

This turquoise dress was simple but elegantly made to closely silhouette Obama's shape. With a slanting V neckline to the shoulder, this simple dress was dramatically accessorized with a large brooch or ornament (in the same colour) fixed to the front of the dress at the neckline. This look is a testament to the way in which handcrafted accessories or statement Jewellery can lift an outfit.

The woman who makes Michelle Obama look good

Pinto has been labeled the "Woman Who Makes Michelle Obama Look Good" by Linda Lowen on about.com women's issues.

Who is Maria Pinto?

Pinto 51, is a Chicago based designer and has been in the fashion industry for 16 years. She was forced to close her business in 2002 due to bankruptcy. This was further compounded by a bout of ill health. Despite these adversities, Pinto re -emerged even stronger in 2004. In June 2008 she opened a boutique in her home town Chicago in the West Loop at 133N. Jefferson St.

Maria was always keenly interested in fashion and at age thirteen was creating and sewing her own designs and even sewed her own high school prom dress. Pinto worked in the family's Italian restaurant business until the age of 30 when she enrolled at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Pinto also studied at New York's Parson's School of Design and the Fashion Institute of Technology. Subsequent to this she worked with fashion icon Geoffrey Beene, in New York before branching off on her own.

Pinto's design and fashion accolades

Pinto's website states that, "She has received many prestigious design and fashion accolades throughout her career, including the opportunity on two occasions to design seductive costumes for the Joffrey Ballet's Recorde Per Due (2002) and Age of Innocence (2008); the Best of Fashion Award, Chicago Magazine (2000); and the Gold Coast Fashion Award, previously won by Anne Klein, Donna Karan and Bill Blass (1998). In 2009, Maria Pinto will be honored by the Anti-Defamation League as the recipient of their Women of Achievement Award, and the School of The Art Institute's Legend of Fashion Award." (As published on Mario Pinto's website)

Mario Pinto is yet another rising star in the american fashion design scene thanks to Michelle Obama. Michelle Obama with her unique accessories and individual exotic designs is fast becoming a conversation with style which starts "where did she get that"? - Because when Michelle Obama dresses that's what people are asking. Especially since her off the rack choices make it affordbale for the masses to follow her style of dress and keeps her in touch with society.

This article was written by Arline James-Thomas for Munique Fashion - muniquefashions.com. Munique brings you unique, quality handcrafted fashion and accessories from artisans around the world. These exotic designs communicate rarity and say something about you the wearer.

Our simply stunning collection of funky unusual jewellery, handbags and sandals are specially selected for their uniqueness and are not available on the high street. We are sure to find something special from our range of Ethnic jewellery and gifts. Buy online and start that conversation with fashion that begins "Where did you get that?"