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Desiree Rogers's fashion flair

The departure of White House social secretary Desiree Rogers has the fashion industry practically in mourning, we look at her style choices during the first year of the Obama administration.

Departing White House social secretary Desiree Rogers, left, shares a prime seat with Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour at Donna Karan's runway show during New York's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in February 2009.

Wintour has wondered aloud whether Washington is intimidated by a high-profile "good-looking and stylish woman" who is not afraid to dress for center stage, Post fashion columnist Robin Givhan writes.

Andrew H. Walker-Getty Images for IMG

Rogers arrives at the Nov. 24 White House state dinner in honor of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh -- the same one crashed by Tareq and Michaele Salahi -- sporting an ivory dress by Comme des Garcon.

Rogers arrives at the Nov. 24 White House state dinner in honor of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh -- the same one crashed by Tareq and Michaele Salahi -- sporting an ivory dress by Comme des Garcon.

Bill O'leary-TWP

Rogers attends the February 2009 Governors' Ball, one of the Obama administration's first big social functions, in a black evening gown.<br>
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"When the Obamas announced that the New Orleans native with the platinum resume and the knack for glamorous style would be the White House's first African American social secretary, the fashion industry practically swooned," writes Givhan.

Rogers attends the February 2009 Governors' Ball, one of the Obama administration's first big social functions, in a black evening gown.

"When the Obamas announced that the New Orleans native with the platinum resume and the knack for glamorous style would be the White House's first African American social secretary, the fashion industry practically swooned," writes Givhan.

Pablo Martinez Monsivais-ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rogers on the job, walking around the White House grounds on Dec. 4. During her first year in the East Wing, Rogers posed for flattering photo shoots in Vogue and WSJ, the Wall Street Journal magazine.

Rogers on the job, walking around the White House grounds on Dec. 4. During her first year in the East Wing, Rogers posed for flattering photo shoots in Vogue and WSJ, the Wall Street Journal magazine.

Larry Downing-REUTERS

Rogers prepares in casual clothes for the Nov. 24 state dinner.

Rogers prepares in casual clothes for the Nov. 24 state dinner.

Bill O'leary-TWP

Rogers wears a long, belted coat to the Creative Coalition's ninth annual membership meeting at New York City's HBO Terrace on June 18, 2009.

Rogers wears a long, belted coat to the Creative Coalition's ninth annual membership meeting at New York City's HBO Terrace on June 18, 2009.

Stephen Lovekin-Getty Images

Rogers attends a tribute luncheon for Eunice Johnson at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Jan. 11.<br>
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"I think it would be sad if we all decided to bury Washington fashion now that Desiree's left town and to conclude that every ambitious woman inside the Beltway should just pull on her pantsuit and her sensible shoes from here on out," says Glamour editor-in-chief Cindi Leive.

Rogers attends a tribute luncheon for Eunice Johnson at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Jan. 11.

"I think it would be sad if we all decided to bury Washington fashion now that Desiree's left town and to conclude that every ambitious woman inside the Beltway should just pull on her pantsuit and her sensible shoes from here on out," says Glamour editor-in-chief Cindi Leive.

Andrew H. Walker-Getty Images

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This Story The sacrificial ma'am? Article \| MILAN The fashion industry did not create the public persona of White House social secretary Desirée Rogers. And it did not deal the decisive card that caused her to trade in Washington for Chicago and a return to the private sector. But fashion's mythmakers certainly did their part in shaping t... Desiree Rogers's fashion flair Julianna Smoot brings an insider's perspective to Obamas' inner circle		Network News X Profile View More Activity TOOLBOX E-Mail This Reprints		More on washingtonpost.com • More Photo News » washingtonpost.com
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