"Glossy fashion mags are great in their place (as far as I’m concerned, at the hairdressers’ or in the doctors’ waiting room, but each to her own), but not everything can be viewed through the lens of the fashionistas."
—

Some people need to lighten up a little?
Are we all supposed to walk around as stone-faced as this woman evidently does 24/7?  Michelle Obama seems perfectly comfortable with her status as a contemporary fashion icon, and who is Heather Stewart to pooh-pooh those who take notice and delight in the beautiful clothes she decides to wear?

If Ms. Stewart wants to be an economics editor, that’s fine and who’s to say it’s not?  I just don’t appreciate when people like to act holier-than-thou about other interests and professions in the world—namely the creative world—as if it’s totally insignificant.  It really worries me that some people do not have any ability to visualise what the world might be like without creative influence.  First off, it would be near-impossible.

She also takes the feminist approach to this “issue”.  How observing the First Ladies’ fashion choices is harmful to the empowerment of women is beyond me.  Besides, is First Lady of France Carla Bruni not a former model herself?  Why yes, yes she is, Heather.  And finally, the concept of marriage seems to get a little lost on serious Ms. Stewart.  Why might powerful, independent women choose to go overseas on international diplomatic affairs business with their husbands—whose own business it is in the first place—instead of staying home?  Because-hopefully-these women love their husbands (and vice-versa) and want to lend their warmth, support, and company to them.  Teamwork and love is what marriages are about, Ms. Stewart.  There’s nothing anti-woman’s rights and frivolous about either of those things.