Since her husband's inauguration in 2008, Michelle Obama has maintained that she does not use a stylist.But it seems the U.S. First Lady is not without help when it comes to her fashion-forward - if sometimes controversial - style.
Political bloggers have named White House aide Meredith Koop as the sartorial secret weapon behind Mrs Obama's look.
Stylist? Meredith Koop pictured leaving the White House with Barack Obama's assistant Reggie Love. The aide is said to be behind Michelle Obama's fashion choices
According to Politico.com, the 28-year-old plays a 'pivotal role' in the President's wife's clothing choices, and is believed to be behind the controversial Alexander McQueen dress worn by Mrs Obama to a state dinner earlier this month.
Little is known about the redhead, who works in the East Wing of the White House. The site was alerted to the aide's involvement in the First Lady's wardrobe by a hairstylist who has worked with her.
Miss Koop is not the only person to have been tipped as an unofficial stylist to Mrs Obama, though she is the first based in Washington.
Controversial: Mr and Mrs Obama at a State dinner earlier this month, for which she wore a design by late British designer Alexander McQueen, rather than a gown by an American designer
Chicago boutique owner Ikram Goldman was long credited with helping Mrs Obama with her style, and many of the First Lady's outfits were purchased at her store.
Both parties remain tight-lipped about the matter, though Goldman confirmed that Mrs Obama has shopped at her store for years.
But the Mrs O blog believes that Mrs Obama has stopped working with Goldman in recent months as she has started wearing a different array of designers, not available from the Chicago retailer.
Confident: Speaking on Good Morning America, Mrs Obama defended her choice of dress and urged women to wear what makes them feel comfortable
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Mrs. Obama's repertoire of designers has expanded drastically in recent months, to include new names such Dries Van Noten, Marc Jacobs, Roksanda Ilincic, and even vintage Norman Norell,' it read.
It speculated that Miss Koop is the influence behind this change.
'Why the move away from Ikram?' it continued. 'Logistics and location are one possibility. It may simply be more convenient to have someone Washington-based at the helm of Mrs Obama's complex wardrobe.'
Style icon: Mrs Obama with designer Jason Wu, whose white, off-the-shoulder chiffon gown she wore at her husband's inauguration
Elegant: Mrs Obama wearing an Isabel Toledo dress for her husband's inauguration in 2008
Famously supportive of emerging fashion talent, financial analysts say that Mrs Obama has boosted the economic value of the brands she chooses to wear by $2.7billion.
Criticism: Oscar de la Renta believes that Mrs Obama should wear more American designers to State occasions
But the First Lady hit headlines earlier this month when she wore an Alexander McQueen dress to a State dinner rather than a gown by an American designer.
Fashion designer Oscar de la Renta, told Women's Wear Daily: 'My understanding is that the visit was to promote American-Chinese trade.
'American products in China and Chinese products in America. Why do you wear European clothes?'
Diane Von Furstenberg, president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, told the same publication: 'Our First Lady Michelle Obama has been wonderful at promoting our designers, so we were surprised and a little disappointed not to be represented for this major state dinner.'
But Mrs Obama hit back at her critics on Good Morning America, insisting that she will continue to dress in the clothes that make her comfortable - regardless of the label.
She said: 'Look, women, wear what you love.
'That's all I can say. That's my motto. I wear what I like because...I gotta be in the dress, so...'
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