The Man Who Accompanied Michelle Obama to London.

Here we go...again.


THE STRIKING PRICE [link to online.barrons.com]
The Queen of J. Crew
By STEVEN M. SEARS | MORE ARTICLES BY AUTHOR
Monetizing the First Lady's fashion sense.


WHEN PRESIDENT OBAMA RETURNS TO WASHINGTON from his first official international trip, don't be surprised to hear him quip that he's the man who accompanied Michelle Obama to London.

He may have played a leading role in shaping the Group of 20's decision to deploy $1.1 trillion to help the world's economy recover from a recession, but he was overshadowed by his wife. Mrs. Obama captivated London in a way that was reminiscent of how Paris swooned over Jackie Kennedy when she accompanied her husband during a presidential trip in 1961.

Much was made of Mrs. Obama's fashion, and even more of her putting her arm around the Queen in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. The Queen responded in kind, though London's Daily Mail called the physical touch a breach of centuries-long protocol.

All of this leads to J. Crew Group (ticker: JCG), one of Mrs. Obama's favorite clothing companies. The investment thesis is simple.

If the First Lady likes J. Crew, and reports indicate she wore one of its green silk skirts and embellished cardigans in London, it is likely that J. Crew sales will benefit because lots of women will be inspired to emulate Mrs. Obama's style, as they once did with Mrs. Kennedy.

Already there is evidence that Mrs. Obama is attracting shoppers to J. Crew. The retailer's Website reportedly crashed in January in response to Mrs. Obama and her daughters wearing J. Crew apparel to the inauguration.

In October, Women's Wear Daily reported J. Crew's Website traffic increased 464% the day after Mrs. Obama mentioned on Jay Leno's Tonight show that she was wearing a J. Crew cardigan, tank and skirt. More at posted link...