In celebration of Chelsea Clinton's weekend nuptials, a photo retrospective of the designer's greatest White House hits. - Story by Feifei Sun
Friends in Fashionable Places
Fashion guru Oscar de la Renta has reportedly designed a dress for Chelsea Clinton's wedding, but his relationship with First Family women is far from nouveau. Since outfitting Betty Ford, his East Wing legacy has only grown. And in the sharply divided world that is politics, de la Renta is that rare figure that transcends partisanship -- he has dressed Nancy Reagan, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton (and says he voted for each of their husbands, too). Hillary Clinton accompanied de la Renta to the 2002 Council of Fashion Designers of America gala in a floor-length, pouf-sleeved ensemble.
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Dazzling Duo
Laura Bush and Cindy McCain opened the 2008 Republican National Convention in style when they both chose de la Renta numbers. McCain opted for a mustard colored dress, while Bush wore a white two-piece suit.
Golden Girl
After her 1993 gown received not-so-flattering reviews, Clinton chose a gold de la Renta dress for the second go-around. In 1997, she danced the night away in a floor-length gown (shown above) that boasted a sheer bodice and Victorian-style neckline.
Svelte in Silver
Perhaps taking a cue from her predecessor, Bush also chose de la Renta for her second inaugural gown in 2005 -- the sparkly, silver tulle dress came with a matching satin coat.
One in Four
Bush chose a red embroidered suit for the 2006 Kennedy Center Honors. The look was so popular that three other women showed up to the event in the same outfit, and the First Lady changed attire halfway through the evening.
Here Comes the Bride
The First Daughter married Henry Hager on May 10, 2008 in a sheer, sleeveless organza gown adorned with beautiful beading.
Birthday Suit
Clinton donned a chiffon leopard print gown to Nelson Mandela's 85th birthday party in Johannesburg, South Africa. Desmond Tutu, Oprah Winfrey, Bono and her husband, Bill, were also in attendance.
Lady in Red
Nancy Reagan wore a red, lace de la Renta dress to a 1988 Presidential dinner.
The Blue Period
Clinton attended Barack Obama's inauguration in a blue coat, a signature color from her 2008 campaign. When the former First Lady canceled a Vogue photo shoot for fear of looking too feminine, the magazine's editor Anna Wintour slammed her decision, writing: "This is America, not Saudi Arabia. It's also 2008: Margaret Thatcher may have looked terrific in a blue power suit, but that was 20 years ago. I do think Americans have moved on from the power-suit mentality." Clinton would eventually pose for Vogue's December 2009 issue in -- what else -- a blue suit.
SOURCE: TIME Magazine
