Michelle Obama is locked in a media-fueled “fashion showdown” with Peng Liyuan, the stylish and much-loved wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The first lady, who is visiting the country to promote education this week, sparked a blog-centric face-off with Peng, who also boasts fierce fashion trend-setting power.
Bloggers took to the Web to post photos of the women side by side, sporting similar outfits, after Obama’s arrival in the country this week. Captions read: “Long coat showdown!” and “White top showdown!”
Chinese people are so obsessed with the story that the term “Michelle” was a top-10-most-searched term on Sina Weibo, the country’s most popular blog platform, on Friday.
Obama is visiting Beijing, Xi’an and Chengdu to promote education this week. Peng, a famous singer, is playing host by introducing her to guests and showing her around local middle schools.
Chinese fashion buffs gushed over Obama’s outfit on Friday — fitted black pants and a white blouse — calling it “intelligent and also fashionable.”
Peng, who wore high heels and a long blue skirt, won even more praise.
“Our lady Peng is a true fashionista,” one user posted on Sina Weibo, according to Huffington Post.
“Wearing high heels for a stroll around the Forbidden City? I salute you!”
Another user posted, “I really like Michelle. I get a good feeling from the way she looks really intelligent and also fashionable … Even though she doesn’t fit eastern standards of beauty, when she stands next to her husband she doesn’t look at all out of her league. She almost looks just a little bit stronger.”
Peng, who became famous for singing patriotic songs before she met the president, is beloved by many Chinese women because she doesn’t shy away from the spotlight.
Peng sang in China’s People’s Liberation Army in the 1980s.