On Wednesday, Michelle Obama conducted a photo op at a Washington DC food bank while wearing sneakers that cost $540 (link):

These sneakers - suede, with grosgrain ribbon laces and metallic pink toe caps - are made by French design house Lanvin, one of fashion's hottest labels. They come in denim and satin versions, and have been a brisk seller all spring... Michelle has stepped out in Lanvin before while getting down to business. A week ago, she shoveled dirt at a tree planting while wearing the line's chiffon tank...

In the second photo she might be rebuilding her larder in case the White House has to be quarantined due to the swine flu they're ignoring, but that's just a guess.