As we read before, there's something much larger than a loud, constant buzz out there right now wondering just who Michelle Obama will pick to design her inaugural ball attire. And who better to hit up again than Maria Pinto, the Chicagoan who designed several of Obama's outfits for big stops during last year's endless campaign (even though she got snubbed on election night when the soon-to-be-First Lady went with Narciso Rodriguez's controversial fiery little number). Of course, Pinto isn't leaking any details of whether she's in the running or not, but it's another interesting look at one of Michelle Obama's favorite designers, who we continue to like thanks to her commitment to staying in Chicago:

After selling her garments and accessories to upscale stores such as Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys New York and Takashimaya, Pinto opened her own atelier and boutique on Chicago's West Loop last summer and she has no plans to uproot to Washington, D.C., or to New York, the capital of style.

"Chicago seems to be working for me at the moment," she said.

Though "at the moment" seems to always be what people say right before they leave town, so we'll keep our tender little hearts guarded should that pan out as such.