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Maria Pinto Closes Chicago Boutique. What's Michelle Obama to Wear? (M's designer goes bankrupt)
The StyleList ^ | February 15, 2010 | Lesley Kennedy

Posted on 02/15/2010 2:00:37 PM PST by Stoat

Maria Pinto Closes Chicago Boutique. What's Michelle Obama to Wear?

by Lesley Kennedy  Posted Feb 15th 2010 at 4:26PM

 

(Image not included due to Free Republic rules pertaining to Getty Images)

Even designing dresses that turned Michelle Obama into a fashion trendsetter couldn't keep Maria Pinto in business.

The designer has closed the doors to her Chicago boutique, reports the Chicago Sun-Times, and she is expected to seek bankruptcy protection this week.

Pinto tells the Sun-Times "economic challenges and soft buying trends at the top end of the apparel market" contributed to her business woes. 

''I am confident that the 'Maria Pinto' name will not go away, but will merely take a break, before emerging in a new form," she tells the newspaper. 

"I plan on using the next several months to explore different avenues and opportunities for business, as economic conditions improve."

In addition to dressing Obama (see the purple sleeveless sheath dress she wore for the final primaries?), Pinto's customers also included Oprah Winfrey and several Chicago socialites and civic leaders.

Pinto studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and New York's Parsons School of Design and Fashion Institute of Technology, and worked for Geoffrey Beene in her first fashion job. In 1991, she launched her own line, which was carried in stores including Bergdorf Goodman, then she opened her Chicago boutique in 2008, according to the paper.

And, if there's any debate on Michelle Obama's style power, here's a look at her first 100 days of fashion.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: boobbelt; closes; fashion; fashionpolice; flotusmichelle; hideousfashions; mariapinto; michelleobama; nobama; obama; pinto; sasquatch; store; wookie
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To: dfwgator
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121 posted on 02/15/2010 3:53:15 PM PST by ETL (ALL (most?) of the Obama-commie connections at my FR Home page: http://www.freerepublic.com/~etl/)
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To: Ezekiel

Actually, those two are pretty nice. Especially the turquoise. Michelle is an ungainly woman, but the turquoise one actually makes her look elegant.


122 posted on 02/15/2010 3:54:56 PM PST by lady lawyer
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To: ronniesgal
she always looks so pissed off.

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Image and video hosting by TinyPicImage and video hosting by TinyPic

123 posted on 02/15/2010 3:55:57 PM PST by ETL (ALL (most?) of the Obama-commie connections at my FR Home page: http://www.freerepublic.com/~etl/)
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To: proudofthesouth
The orange socks and crocs HAVE got to be photoshop...THERE is no way in hell she would have been THIS stupid to wear something so atrocious!!
124 posted on 02/15/2010 4:06:15 PM PST by RoseofTexas
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To: ForegoneAlternative
BINGO! These "up and coming" designers "provide" high profile persons with clothes and write it off as advertisement. It's usually a pretty good system. I suspect it didn't work for Ms Pinto because the model was less than.....shall we say......attractive?

I've been thinking about the first couple and studying their pictures, and I have come to the conclusion that theirs is a lesbian relationship. He is the wife and she is the butch. (I'm naughty)

125 posted on 02/15/2010 4:12:08 PM PST by WVNan (I hate the liberal news corpse..)
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To: mojitojoe

Pumpkinhead of the United States!


126 posted on 02/15/2010 4:13:24 PM PST by PA Engineer (Liberate America from the occupation media.)
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To: dfwgator

LOL.


127 posted on 02/15/2010 4:14:20 PM PST by PA Engineer (Liberate America from the occupation media.)
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To: ronniesgal
she always looks so pissed off.

Agreed.

It used to be that our Nation wasn't represented in such an ugly and disrespectful way. There was a time, not so very long ago, when we had an honorable First Lady who truly loved our Country. It seems such a long time ago now.....

Laura Bush

Laura Bush 2

 

Bush Family

128 posted on 02/15/2010 4:17:53 PM PST by Stoat (Sarah Palin 2012: A Strong America Through Unapologetic Conservatism)
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To: maggief

OMG, No more boob belts or short waisted full bottomed dresses and too small sweaters.


129 posted on 02/15/2010 4:34:30 PM PST by freekitty (Give me back my conservative vote; then find me a real conservative to vote for)
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To: Ezekiel

Poor dear. A long skirt hides a multitude of flaws, I’ve found.


130 posted on 02/15/2010 4:37:43 PM PST by Tax-chick (Sarah Palin is a thing of beauty and a joy forever.)
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To: Stoat

I still want to be Laura Bush when I grow up.


131 posted on 02/15/2010 4:38:26 PM PST by Tax-chick (Sarah Palin is a thing of beauty and a joy forever.)
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To: Vasilli22

She really does not dress in the right colors. I never see her face because of the colors she wears. Michelle, stay away from bright colors.


132 posted on 02/15/2010 4:47:27 PM PST by freekitty (Give me back my conservative vote; then find me a real conservative to vote for)
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To: Stoat

133 posted on 02/15/2010 4:48:02 PM PST by Bassfire (Barack Obama, the Presidency is above your paygrade)
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To: Bassfire

I know that’s photoshopped. 0michelle is flatchested and bigger in the rear. I would not be suprised if she wore something like that, though.


134 posted on 02/15/2010 4:53:32 PM PST by little jeremiah (Asato Ma Sad Gamaya Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya)
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To: mojitojoe

She just has a wide stance.


135 posted on 02/15/2010 4:54:57 PM PST by little jeremiah (Asato Ma Sad Gamaya Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya)
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To: Stoat

Laura Bush was the prettiest First Lady ever.


136 posted on 02/15/2010 4:55:54 PM PST by Palladin ("We are the loyal opposition"~~Sarah Palin)
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To: Tax-chick
I still want to be Laura Bush when I grow up.

An admirable, honorable and virtuous goal :-)

It's unfortunate that M.0. wants to be Grace Mugabe, known locally as "Zimbabwe's First Shopper"

Grace Mugabe

 

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace just before the recent, disputed election run-off

 

Picture exclusive: The tyrant and his bride...a 'liberal' Mugabe at his wedding in 1961

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2041381/posts

 

Grace Mugabe

 

Grace Mugabe

137 posted on 02/15/2010 4:57:51 PM PST by Stoat (Sarah Palin 2012: A Strong America Through Unapologetic Conservatism)
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To: Stoat

I’d figured ‘Chelle was after being Winnie Mandela.


138 posted on 02/15/2010 5:03:06 PM PST by Tax-chick (Sarah Palin is a thing of beauty and a joy forever.)
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To: Bassfire

OH LAWDY...that is just amazing...WOW! :-)


139 posted on 02/15/2010 5:03:30 PM PST by Stoat (Sarah Palin 2012: A Strong America Through Unapologetic Conservatism)
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To: lady lawyer

It’s photoshopped. Another FReeper did it and I can’t recall who it was to give them credit. However, my guess is her feet are about a 12-13 based on comparing hers next to Jill Biden’s whose look to be a 6-71/2.


140 posted on 02/15/2010 5:06:49 PM PST by mojitojoe (“Medicine is the keystone of the arch of socialism.” - Vladimir Lenin)
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