The “Michelle Obama Shoe”
The “Michelle Obama Shoe” will become the newest addition to the Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach Presidential Suite’s wall of shoe art in January, putting the new First Lady in the company of other influential and powerful women in history.
As a cornerstone of the beachside Ritz-Carlton’s recent $130 million transformation, the expansive two-bedroom Presidential Suite features a new sleek design concept. Its unique shoe wall houses illuminated glass display cases of handcrafted pieces of artistic footwear. Created by Miami designer Robert Tabor, the collection of lady’s pumps, wedges and sandals pay tribute to past First Ladies and other worldly, historical dignitaries.
The Michelle Obama shoe will be introduced to the Presidential Suite’s wall of shoe art on January 17, the First Lady’s 46th birthday and just three days before the Obamas’ first anniversary in the White House.
The bright, high-fashion shoe is a sleeveless style silhouette of lemongrass colored lace with a velvet and jeweled bow and Obama ’08 campaign button on the toe, all inspired by Mrs. Obama’s dress at the Inauguration of her husband, President Barack Obama. The shoe’s heel features a White House architecture inspired column, with a graduation cap and Princeton University and Harvard Law School logos. Mrs. Obama is a graduate of both institutions.
The columned heel also includes an Obama family portrait and the now famous “family first” quote – highlighting the importance she places on family values – finished with a red, white and blue ribbon and Mrs. Obama’s First Lady campaign button.
In the shoe wall, Michelle Obama joins women including Jackie Kennedy (whose ‘60’s style square toe shoe is covered in pink wool boucle and a jeweled-trimmed JFK political button on the lapel, while the heel reflects her signature hair style and pill box hat) and Barbara Bush (with a classic orthopedic wing tip in signature blue fashion with a red ribbon tie, topped by her famous three-strand pearls), as well as Hillary Clinton, Betty Ford, Evita Perón, Imelda Marcos, Margaret Thatcher, Marie Antoinette, Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth.
The 2,693-square-foot Presidential Suite at The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach consists of two executive suites, aptly named the Commander and the Chief. The oceanfront space with views of the Atlantic Ocean has two bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms.
One suite features a billiards room flanked by a bar and sitting area. The glowing under lit onyx bar, the focal point of the room, is complete with a trompe-l’œil image of stunning legs in high heels and fishnet stockings, presenting a grand three-dimensional optical illusion.
A raised dining table commands striking views of the Atlantic during the day and the glass bubble chandelier enlivens the gathering space for evening dinner parties. Leather couches and chairs compliment light fixtures adorned with feathers, and red tones from the area rug and chair fill the room. The frosted glass wall in the foyer defines a shower on the other side, allowing for shadowed viewing when in use.
The other half of the Presidential Suite has a gentler appeal. Furniture and fixtures, such as mirrored drawers, reflect light and focus on the sweeping ocean panorama. A red crocodile chaise contrasts the capiz shell textured walls, and the bedroom presents a sensitive, sheer-covered canopy bed.
The Wellness Room just beyond the bedroom centers around health, well-being and beauty and will be set up according to guest specifications with private service options including spa treatments, yoga or training classes, or a salon. Modern, woven furniture adorns balconies that wrap around the entire suite.
