Tuesday
Nov242009
Desiree Dares in Comme des Garcons
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 5:00 PM 
Image by Jonathan Ernst / Reuters
While we don't often cover Ms. Desiree Rogers on this blog, we do greatly admire the Social Secretary and her style. For the first state dinner, Ms. Rogers made a particularly daring choice, wearing an avant garde dress by Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcons. The dress, featuring layers of sheer pink and creme fabric and loops of pearls, is from the house's Fall 2009 collection, as seen here. When speaking with Style.com about the collection last March, Ms. Kawakubo described it as "Wonderland," continuing, "where nothing is as it seems."
tagged Comme des Garcons
Comme des Garcons
Reader Comments (104)
The dress is beautiful. She's hot, sexy, daring, . Desiree know clothes. Haters. And she has a great body.
Bouh, I hate that! It's really horrible!
I agree with Posh Tater totally!
I have not seen nearly enough coverage of Desiree to even know how this outfit fits in the context of her style. The dress itself I do feel looks like it simply does not fit properly but she looks very happy and comfortable so that's all that matters.
@Me
Ooh, you're hitting where it hurts with that Ann Taylor and J.Crew statement! :-) As a D.C. resident, I wish I could say you were wrong, but you're not.
I went to the Style. com website to check out pix from the whole Comme Des Garcons show from Fall 2009. I wanted to see how this gown fit in. It's very interesting...the designer seemed to be playing with textures and the idea of "wrapping" the female form. I personally feel that it looks much better on Desiree. She fills it out better, to my eyes.
There's someone earlier who posted that Desiree is like Michelle's alter fashion-ego. I was getting the same idea! If nothing else, this gown is part of a consistent image that Desiree has created for herself as a person who appreciates the avant-garde.
Quite right OpFan, well said. The whole event is beautifully put together. The colours, the flowers, the table styling. It's just lovely. Michelle chose the best person for the job, for sure.
I thought the tent idea was inspired. Michelle Obama has often commented that the White House is impossible for large events becasuse there isn't one BIG room for a banquet so you have to split things up or keep it small or keep it cramped. So to have a marquee - and what a marquee! - was a great idea. It leaves the event totally separate to the White House and therefore disrupts the House as little as possible. As they are open to the public certain days of the week I would imagine that lessens the amount that visitors are impacted.
As well as being able to do great justice to the State Dinner. Brava Desiree and Michelle.
IM SORRY I DONT LIKE THAT DRESS ITS MAKE HER LOOKED OLD AND SHE WAS NOT TO HAPPY ABOUT IT BECOUSE I SAW HER FACE WHEN SHE WAS WALKING IN SHE WAS NOT HAPPY. AM GLAD MRS O DIDNT WEAR THAT DRESS.
Posh - there was lots of coverage on the morning shows over here, of course. The thing that really struck me was how much space there was between tables. There was lots of room to navigate between courses, and also enough distance so guests could see other guests (and their clothes!) as they walked by. The president and prime minister were shown making the rounds from table to table.
They never could have pulled this off for this number of people in the White House. The tent really was a good call.
I saw her briefly last night on Cspan and could see that it was sheer in some spots and the color. The glance intrigued me and now that I see it I love it. It's not traditional, but I agree with some of the other commentors--it's fresh, it's modern, it's risky and I love that she went for it. I love the colors and the beading. It is more of "fashion risk" choice, instead of something that just made her look pretty, however I love it when people take those risks.
As for the comments that she's not 20 so why is she wearing this, that is a laugh. Obesity is epidemic in this country--most American women her age are fat and out of shape. If one is slim and fit they can wear anything, no matter what age they are. Congrats to the President, the First Lady and most of the Black women in the administration for being FIT. It is an example to all of America of what eating well and exercise can do for you.
I adore Desiree's style and grace, but I really think this dress is a rare misstep for her. It may be fashion forward, but for this occasion I think she should have chosen something more elegant. The dress looks messy and just plain off.
The color choice doesn't bother me in that it is close to Mrs. O's, dress. But I don't think it's a flattering color on her either.
Tha tis one ugly dress. Sorry.
Love the dress and LOVE the Louboutin's! This is the height of fashion!
Honestly, this dress could have been a spectacular creation. Instead, it looks like a badly sewn and ill-flattering apron. Sorry, maybe I just don't have couture smarts.
I don't understand Ms Rogers' choice. It is not very flattering on her. This was the opportunity of a lifetime to show one's style! I think she blew it! This was a state dinner to honor a country known for its wonderful colors and fabrics. Indian colors are so brilliant and dramatic.... Something really colorful was called for. Think of those beautiful Indian women in their colorful silk saris. Oh well.....
The fortunate thing for Desiree is that it's not really the opportunity of a lifetime -- it would be for me! But for her, this is just one of many, many high profile events that she attends. So she gets to experiment where maybe the rest of us would play it safer.
OK, perhaps I was being harsh before when I first posted the WTF is she wearing? comment yesterday and the comparison to Lady Gaga (but you have to admit this is exactly something Gaga would wear with a few more outrageous accessories. Sarah, so true about the McQueen pumps and funny mask). I really like Desiree. I think she's smart, beautiful and looks ridiculously good for 50 years old, but I still do not think this was the time and place to be this outrageous. I can respect that she respects avant-garde designers, because I do too, but she could have worn this at another time when it was her time to shine. Perhaps at some other social function outside of the white house but not when your working overtime for your boss, the First Lady, at the biggest event of the year on an international stage.
I've actually seen her in a similar dress to this in black with out the pearls underneath, but it was at a function outside of the white house. I can see why she chose this but like I said before, there is a time and place.
Hehehe. I can remember a teacher saying that to me at school once - "there is a time and a place" and she removed my arm from my boyfriend's waist. I put it back and said "yes, there IS, and I decide, not you, thank you". Sometimes it's time to rewrite the rulebook. I love that she wore it, I just don't like it. It looks like sausage wrapping to me, or a bad zombie/mummy costume for Hallowe'en.
I'm curious - are there any pictures of Valerie Jarrett at last night's event? She always looks good too.
You know, the more I look at that dress, the more I like it. I think that my initial negative reaction has less to do with the design of the dress and more to do with the fact that it doesn't seem to fit her properly. See how it bunches at the waist, and seems tight in the bust and hip? Had she gone up a size (which is not a sin, ladies!), it would have been much more flattering.
Both my husband and I found the dress simply stunning. There is a fabulous photo of it in the Washington Post. It is actually a sheer peach colored chiffon overdress, and the multiple pearls are sewn onto the ivory under layer. We thought it was daring, yes- but we also felt it to be a smashing success!
Yuck!
The front white part looks like an apron, and other than that 'white' is the color of mourning in India. I like the bottom part but that's about it.
She should send it back to the designer have have two separate dresses constructed: one creamy feminine one and a white beaded sporty one ;)
Major FAIL.
She is good looking indeed, but this dress is not! It's not a matter of beeing avant gard, wearable art or whaterver we may call it...It seems it would NOT fit or enhance ANYone's figure!
Take your chances.
If she likes it, I love it!!!
Rashmi, I was surprised to find out she was 50 yrs old as well. She definitely looks like she is 30 or something.
I like the shoes!
OH my Gosh! The colours of this gown are so soft and feminine. She is just glowing and she wears it
well. I would however compliment the gown with high heel sandals. She does not look as awful as some comments indicate. You rock this gown Desiree!!
Desiree takes fashion chances, and bravo, but in this case, I agree that the dress was wearing her. BUT every aspect of last evening sounds like it was perfect. Great to have someone with flair and imagination who has made the WH the hottest place in Washington again. Keep it up!
I like her hair, make-up, and shoes, but this dress is horrible for this occasion.
Two thumbs down!
I follow this site out of deep respect and admiration for Mrs. Michelle Obama. Wanting to observe her style and fashion bring me to this site. I'm not interested in seeing Desiree Rogers.
In the past, other women have been featured here because, I thought, Mrs. O was keeping a low profile and no pictures of her were available. But this was not the case yesterday evening. If the purpose and content of the Mrs. O site have changed, I, for one, would like to know.
Mrs. T, I know this is your site and mean no disrespect. You have every right to put on here whatever you want and I thank you for allowing us to share it with you.
Avo -
You can always skip the posts that don't interest you. That's what I do.
I think this dress is absolutely fabulous, and not at all inappropriate for a state dinner. As for the upstaging Mrs. Obama, IMPOSSIBLE.
Too fashiony for me. Give me a beautiful dress like Mrs. O's anyday.
Wow...Avante garde, more like guard your eyes. It is not an attractive outfit.
Earlier I saw footage of Desiree in this dress and after getting a look at it in motion, I must admit that I like it. The dress looks to be a 3 part creation. The outer layer is a seperate dress from the white silk front panesl with the pearls.Then there's the flesh tone foundation that pulls it all together.I know some think that if it has to be explained, then why bother, just dismiss it. That's the beauty or essence of fashion, be it conventional or avnte garde. She was not our Michelle's bridesmaid that had to wear a standard issue, pre-selected and pre-approved gown.The fact that this woman is 50 (really?) yet looks like a fresh faced college grad makes me respect her more and is quite inspiring to me. She's my age ,and I thought FLOTUS was an inspiration...well add Desiree Rogers to that list. She did a phenomenal job last night, I'm proud of the Obama Administration. Don't get me started about those Loubou's! This woman is hot!
I'm not really sure about this dress...but considering that official DC for many years has been, fashion wise, for as long as I can remember, dominated by the likes of St. John, Chanel, Liz Claiborne, Anne Taylor and other designers of a similar vain, it's fun to see someone, especially Desire Rogers, mix things up a bit. For that I'd say "you go girl", have fun! But it does sort of remind me of some of the bad chose dresses one sees at the Oscars or the Emmy awards from time to time. Oh well, in the long run it's Michelle's look for the evening that is the one that will be remembered.
I am clearly in the minority on this post, but I was rendered speechless when I took a look at Desiree in this fantastic gown! I love the color on her and the Louboutin pumps finish the ensemble off very well. It's truly haute couture and not for the average person, but Desiree pulls it off with individuality, flair, grace, and her typical beauty. Well done!
Putting aside her choice of clothing, I think a more pressing matter for Desiree might be how two people managed to crash the state dinner, as described in this article. Even though these interlopers were apparently just harmless fame whores, this strikes me as a huge breach of security, and something that her office is at least partially responsible for. Nobody is paying attention to see if the "guests" are really guests?
Yeah, I saw that on Yahoo News this morning. First point is, Desiree isn't Head of White House Security, she's Social Secretary, so it's the responsibility of whoever was in charge of checking the guests in! Plus, I noticed in the article that I read, that the couple said they HAD been invited, and someone ELSE said they hadn't. Could be a news article about nothing. Let's wait and see.
JEB, there's a big difference between working Washington and evening Washington. Women who work in D.C. are almost obligated to dress conservatively for daytime, because you deal with people from all walks of life and you need to make the matters at hand centerstage, not what you're wearing. You also spend ample time in meetings and hiking across town, in cabs, on the Metro, etc., so your clothes need to wear well. That's where a smart suit is your best friend. St. John is perfect, so is Donna Karan and Escada. But in the evening, people can have more fun and take risks.
I really like this dress!
The comments here are really beginning to concern me. It seems this is an attempt to pit Mrs. O against Ms. Rogers...so TYPICAL.
SMH
Posh Tater,
Well on the news they said that if the Secret Service has a problem with who is supposed to be on the guest list or not they ask the Social Secretary's Office - and apparently Desiree had her 'young' assistant at the gate with a clipboard of names. So, it looks like this will probably come back to bite Desiree in the butt.
Desiree should have been at the gate taking care of business instead of prancing around and smiling for the cameras ;)
I wouldn't say she was prancing around and smiling for the cameras -- I've been trying like the dickens to see if there's another shot available of her in this dress (because I just wanted to see another angle) and I haven't been able to find one. So either she just wasn't interesting enough for the photogs, or she wasn't where they were shooting.
That said, this sounds like a failure of both her office (as the ultimate holder of the guest list) and security (as the people who should be making sure that everyone who gets in is a guest.) There's a lot of moving parts to organizing an event like this, and mistakes happen, but uninvited guests are downright dangerous. Whoever's fault it is, I hope it doesn't happen again.
Christina in the video where Barack and Michelle are greeting the Indian PM and his wife when they arrive for the State Dinner.... after they walk into the WH from the steps it shows Desiree inside of the WH pausing in the doorway looking out and smiling for cameras.
I can't remember how clearing you can see the dress in the shot, because I wasn't paying attention to the dress at the time -- I was aghast at her basking in the spot-light once again ;)
Poor thing... I don't think there's any way that Desiree could pull the focus off of Michelle, because she looked stunning. In fact, I would argue that in the pantheon of great First Lady moments, Michelle's look that night is in the top three. But... what was Desiree thinking? She's usually so polished and put together, and this thing is the fashion equivalent of a slow-moving train wreck.
Leah, I'm not sure where your bile against Desiree has come from but frankly I'm too busy watching Mrs O to be gathering ammunition against another lady - who is doing her job really well. Even after reading your post I can't be bothered to go looking for the video you mention. And what does it matter if she was smiling at the camera's? There were over a hundred photographers out there! Who cares what she was smiling at.
At the end of the day, Mrs O is still First Lady, the event is still a conspicuous success, the visit has gone well. Which IS what matters.
Sorry, but I refuse to get sucked in to a row about gate crashers or Desiree Roger's fictional plans for world domination. I already have Pinky and the Brain for that.
I hate to say this, but it's looking as though Ms. Rogers' failure
to assign someone from her staff to the gate is partially responsible
for the gatecrashers getting in. Perhaps she was focusing too
much on her costume and not enough on the serious aspects
of her job?
Posh,
I am not gathering ammunition against anyone and I think no one else is either.
It was Christina that mentioned she'd like to see another view of the dress and my comment about the 'video' with Desiree wearing the dress in the vid was posted to be a help to her find one ;)
When I saw this dress on the live streaming Tuesday evening I thought it looked terrible, but having seen Desiree's fashion choices in the past, I reserved judgment. In this photo the details of the dress can be seen. I love the pearls covered by sheer fabric. On a runway model this would be a loose dress and the model would disappear. On Desiree, the dress fits her body in the right places and she wears it with confidence. It may be fashion-forward, but it isn't inappropriate because of the delicate color. I think I would like it even more if I could see it in person. There's a big difference between TV, photos, and real eye contact.
I think she looks cute in it and she's young enough. DC is uber unfashionable
That dress is really awful. I thought shw was wearing and apron and misplaced pearls. The dress looks wrinkled and not put together. How unfortunately for her to be wearing this when Mrs Obama was looking sooo good!
Not a good choice, not at all!
I wrote under a different picture tonight about Rogers and her dress but realize I should have placed it here. My concern is not strictly fashion so perhaps my comment will not be included but here it is. Dress aside, what bothers me is that Rogers didn't have a staff member at the door of the White House to assist the secret service identify invited guests -- a job that is always included at such events. As a result, our first family was potentially in mortal danger, though it was lucky the lunatics who crashed were only interested in fame. Nevertheless, it could have been far more serious. I still await an apology from Rogers for this failure but her only comment so far, when asked by reporters if she or one of her staff was stationed at the gate to assist with identifying invited guests was, "we were not". She not add, "but we should have been." The secret service stepped up to the plate and took responsibility, but the truth is, they shouldn't have to do it by themselves which is why other administrations made sure they worked in synch with the social secretary who knows intimately who is on or off that list. Had she not been a guest herself, concerned about her designer dress, she could have been the social secretary she was hired to be and done the job she was hired to do. No other social secretary in the history of state dinners has been invited to the event she is running. I realize it's difficult to be a friend and an employee at the same time, but that was Michelle's choice to hire her (or rather Valerie Jarrett's), so it is now up to one of them to make it right by either changing her view of her job, teaching her the job, or replacing her with someone who puts the family of the president first and foremost: that's the job description. I suspect she may not last the term. Their safety has to be the most important priority for everyone who works there or what's the point?
Here in Chicago we are used to D wearing high end unique pieces.
While I don't care for the dress....I say bravo.
She Rocked IT!.
Comme des Garcons is the best clothing line out there. Rei Kawakubo is always challenging the boundaries in fashion. No one else today is doing that. Most designers are just a bore!!!
I admire her for wearing this.
Those who say this is a hot mess obviously know little about high fashion or interesting fashion at that.