Karl Lagerfeld and first lady Michelle Obama. (Photos: Getty Images)
The First Lady Michelle Obama speaks during the children’s concert at the Washington Convention Center to celebrate military families on January 19, 2013 in Washington, DC. The U.S. capital is preparing for the second inauguration of U.S. President Barack Obama, which will take place on January 21. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
First lady Michelle Obama waves as the presidential inaugural parade winds through the nation’s capital January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. Barack Obama was re-elected for a second term as President of the United States. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama wave to supporters as they walk the inaugural parade route down Pennsylvania Avenue January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. President Obama took the oath of office earlier in the day during a ceremony on the west front of the U.S. Capitol. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama dance during the Public Inaugural Ball at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. President Obama was sworn in for his second term earlier in the day. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
President Barack Obama (L) and first lady Michelle Obama speak to volunteers at Burrville Elementary School January 19, 2013 in Washington, DC. The first couple spent about an hour staining a bookshelf prior to addressing volunteers as part of the National Day of Service, the first official event of the 57th presidential inauguration weekend. (Photo by Martin H. Simon-Pool/Getty Images)
In this handout images provided by The White House, first lady Michelle Obama greets David Hall, one of eight Citizen Co-Chairs for the Inauguration, in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House on January 17, 2013 in Washington, DC. The U.S. capital is preparing for the second inauguration of U.S. President Barack Obama, which will take place on January 21. (Photo by Lawrence Jackson/The White House via Getty Images)
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama participate in the National Prayer Service at the National Cathedral, on January 22, 2013 in Washington, DC. President Obama was sworn in on January 20 for his second term as President of the United States. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
Karl Lagerfeld has recently chimed in on Michelle Obama’s headline making bangs. His verdict? The new look, which the first lady debuted in conjunction with her 49th birthday on January 17, are “not a good idea,” said the designer.
While making an appearance on France’s Canal Plus last week, the creative force behind Chanel was shown before and after photos of Mrs. Obama pre- and post-bangs. “I don’t understand why she changed her hair,” Lagerfeld commented on the evolution.
“I love Michelle Obama,” he elaborated, but concluded that the sharply-cut brow fringe makes the first lady look like a news anchor — or “une speakerine de LCI,” he said in French. (LCI is a French television news channel.)
Nearly universally, Michelle Obama’s bangs have been praised by people as varied as fashion bloggers and the president himself. “I love her bangs,” President Obama famously said about his wife’s new hairdo.
Even Lagerfeld has praised Mrs. Obama effusively — in previous statements.
The opinionated fashionisto has referred to himself as “a big fan of Mrs. Obama” in the past, even saying of her face, “I think, [it] is magical.”
His positive assessment does not extend to her latest hair look. “Frankly, the fringe was a bad idea,” Lagerfeld was also quoted as saying.
While it is likely that the first lady is not regretting what many see as a vivifying coiffure move, celebrity style watchers had some words of comfort for her.
“[O]ur fashionista FLOTUS shouldn’t feel too bad about Lagerfeld’s cheveux critique,” opines E! Online. “Pippa Middleton and Adele have also been targeted by the outspoken 79-year-old.”
Infamously, Lagerfeld has publicly panned Middleton’s face and Adele for being overweight.
Follow Alexis Garrett Stodghill on Twitter at @LexisB
