Maria Pinto Closes Chicago Boutique. What's Michelle Obama to Wear? (M's designer goes bankrupt)

The StyleList ^ | February 15, 2010 | Lesley Kennedy

[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.

[Tax-chick]

Ouch, that was truly painful.

I’m sure there will be plenty of Maria Pinto outfits in the thrift shops for years to come.

[ETL]

[Petronski]

[ETL]

I lifted that off of here a couple of months ago. I have no idea where it originally came from or who did the photoshop.

[ETL]

[maggief]

MO fashion designer to go boob-belt, er, belly up!

Michelle Fashion Police Alert Ping!

FReepmail GOP_Lady if you want on or off this ping list

[RanGreHad]

Just a personal note—I worked with Valerie on “One Day at a Time” early in her career. She was not only pretty—but a really nice person!

[PA Engineer]

[proudofthesouth]

First of all the shoes and socks are *bleeping* ugly and don’t go with the dress (and anything except maybe the grungiest of clothes). As for the rest of the outfit, it looks like something I would have worn in elementary school.

[ForegoneAlternative]

Hasn’t anybody figured *this* out by now?

Shelly hasn’t paid her *bill*!!!

Yet another Obama administration mobster-bustout of a formerly thriving business. Right outta “Goodfellas”, this crowd is. “Guy was prolly a degenerate gambler, or sumptin’”, says cousin Tony...

Geddit? “bust”out??? Heh.

[tioga]

Perhaps she can go into business selling a Michelle Obama™ brand of Boob Belts.

hmm, isn't that what put her OUT of business?

[ETL]

[Victoria Delsoul]

LOL! Michelle just keep backing winners, huh? For the first time in my adult life, I’m really proud of Maria Pinto.

[ETL]

[freeangel]

I’m sure the first lady will simply add her to the paid staff at a salary that is much more than most of the “little people” who voted for her husband.

[Stoat]

I lifted that off of here a couple of months ago. I have no idea where it originally came from or who did the photoshop.

I'm sure that the original artist will be delighted to know that his or her efforts are so greatly appreciated :-)

[ETL]

If I knew, I would have definitely given him or her the well-deserved credit.

[LostInBayport]

Ok, now THAT’s funny.

[REPANDPROUDOFIT]

I like to think that I keep up with what’s going on. But, something must have escaped my notice. I don’t remember hearing anyone crowing about Michelle wearing such expensive clothes. I would never complain about a First Lady wearing designer brands, but I thought the “other side” found it distasteful, even shocking!

[RipSawyer]

I was talking to an acquaintance who is 84 years old, a WWII veteran and learned that he has actually had some bit parts in movies and he said that his favorite actor that he had ever worked with was Valerie Bertinelli.