An Open Letter To Oprah….

Dear Oprah,

I am moved to write this letter to you on Election Day because it was through your show that I was first introduced to Barack Obama.  Never before have I been in awe of a man that I had no personal connection to.  From the moment I heard him speak, I knew that he was called for something great!  Throughout the months of following his campaign (something that I’ve never done before), I kept feeling the need to stay connected.  Although I have always voted since I was of age, I’ve never felt more empowered or proud than today, when I reached over and pulled that lever back.  Just to think, with less energy than it takes to get out of bed, I made a difference.

I voted for Senator Obama because to me, he represents something that I’ve always believed in; the importance of positive role models in my community.  Everyday I make an effort to show the young men of my community positive examples of strong black men.  It was something that I was exposed to growing up, ad I know how much of an impact it had on me.  My only remorse is that as involved as I am, I can do but so much, and there are still others who aren’t exposed to such leaders.  For many of them, true success, without the ability to perform or play sports, was not a reality.  Thanks to Barack Obama, these young people have an opportunity to dream with their eyes wide open!

If you ask anyone who knows me, they can probably tell you how active I am in my community; how I’ve always been positive and optimistic; how much I try to encourage others to make the right decisions/choices.  Barack Obama inspires me to want to do more.

In a few years, I (a single man) will take on the challenge of guiding three of my seven godchildren through their teenage years.  I chose to do so because I want them to learn, first hand from a man, what it takes to be a man.  Barack Obama, no matter what the outcome of today’s election, has just made my job a little easier.

Thank you again Oprah, for the introduction.  Thank you on behalf of my godchildren.  Thank you on behalf of my family and friends.  Thank you on behalf of the young people of every organization that I volunteer with.  Thank you on behalf of every child whose future just got brighter.

Sincerely yours,

Spry Lee Scott

Lady Obama’s Inaugural Style

Since it’s my job to keep people looking their best, many people have reached out to me, to get my opinion on Michelle Obama’s wardrobe choices for this historic day.  I honestly had to sit back for a while and just watch footage of her over and over again.  After hours of deliberating, and countless conversations/facebook discussions, I have come to the following conclusion(s).

First, let’s look at why Michelle is considered to be such a fashion pundit.  If I’m not mistaken, it started around the time that she visited the set of “The View”, wearing the black and white dress by Donna Ricco.  She received rave reviews for choosing to wear this particular garment.  Yet, if we really take a look at it again, I’m sure that most of us would agree that it was just “a nice dress” that fit her well.  Not trendsetting; not outside of the box; not over the top - just nice.  What got her so much attention is that never since Jackie Onassis Kennedy, has a presidential candidate’s wife so boldly worn her arms out.  Not to mention that she had a well enough fan-base to send the designer’s dress sales through the roof.  So, toned arms in a “nice” dress, coupled with this particular garment flying off store racks, is what started folks to talking.

From that point on, the world began to watch our soon-to-be first lady’s clothing selections with an eagle’s eye.  What she wore to a debate, led to our own debates around water coolers and on blogspots everywhere. Her looks were always conservative, while the colors never failed to compliment her skin tones.  With the exception of a couple of missed targets (everyone will have their own opinion), Mrs. Obama would normally do quite well in the fashion department.  We must agree that she tends to understand what colors work for her, and she appropriately dresses her body type.

For one of the most important days in her husband’s (and her country’s) life, Michelle Obama understood that all eyes were on her, and what she would wear.  For her day look, she chose to wear a color dubbed as “lemon-grass” by the dress designer, Isabel Toledo. Her outfit was both classic and timeless; a look that will exquisitely exist alongside the garbs of first ladies that preceded her in The Smithsonian.  The two-piece wool lace dress and coat, proved once again, that Lady Obama is in tune with what compliments her own body.

Our First Lady’s evening gown probably received the most mixed reviews since the O.J. Simpson verdict.  Her decision to wear a Jason Wu original was both shocking and, to many, utterly disappointing.  Although I did win the dress pool amongst family and friends (I guessed a white, one shoulder gown), this ensemble was far from what I expected.  My first reaction was one of “WTF???”.  However the more I watched, the more I realized that, once again, she dressed her body.  With one shoulder out, she proved that she can show some skin, and still be elegant.

More importantly, what I think was missed by many is that in her dress choices, Mrs. Obama made a statement that rang louder than the liberty bell; one which proved to be far more significant than pleasing fashion critics. Although she had the privilege to choose from the world’s most sought after designers, like her husband, she paid attention, and gave a voice to the lesser known.  Instead of easily adorning herself with designers that flood the pages of Vogue, In-Style, Essence and more, she allowed new talent, who are just as deserving, an opportunity to shine. As a stylist, I would have selected something a lot more sleek, accessorized differently, and gave more glamorous suggestions for hair and makeup.  Nevertheless, I can’t (for a lack of better terms) hate on her.  In this case, I put aside my own selfish critiques, and I applaud her efforts.  Once again, I am awed by an Obama.  Of course, I feel that there are some improvements that could be made, but I do believe she’s on the right track.  With a little guidance from the world’s best kept fashion secret (Spry, of course), my president’s wife will easily slip into her role as not only the best first lady this country has ever had, but the most fashionable one as well.

*Please excuse me for tooting my own horn, but you know I had to throw it in there.