New York, Jan 8 : US President-elect Barack Obama has yet to step into office, but his wife Michelle Obama has already been seen as the promoter of high fashion in America by fashion experts.

The would-be First Lady made a big impact with the clothes she wore throughout the campaign, leaving behind a message that clothes not only make a person stand out but also show a his/her temperament.

"My perception is that she's already had an extremely potent effect on the business," the New York Times quoted Hamish Bowles, the Vogue editor who was curator of `Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years', a 2001 show of Kennedy's style at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as saying.

"Just looking at the designers she's been drawn to, you can see she's shown astute sartorial judgment.

"She has also made clear in her choices that thoughtful and intelligent American designers are perfectly capable of creating clothes that have an impact on the world stage," he added.

Michelle Obama's choice of attire is being seen as a godsend for the American designers.

"There is something timely about celebrating American fashion and American designers," Stephanie Solomon, the fashion director of Bloomingdale's, said.

"Mrs. Obama is, first of all, very elegant and has wonderful taste.

"But she also recognizes the value of beautiful dresses and not big prices. She dresses like taste doesn't necessarily have to do with brand or status, but with what looks well on your body and makes you look glamorous, bottom line.

"It is very refreshing and appropriate for this period," she added.

Steven Kolb, the executive director of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, said that American fashion liked other industries needs a big boost at the moment.

Further adding that even though trying to revive a faltering industry might be too much even for her, she was still expected to use her position as the First Lady to promote American goods. (ANI)