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,...