Mrs. O Sparkles in Naeem Khan
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 7:08 PM 
Image by Nicolas Kamm / Getty Images
Image by Nicolas Kamm / Getty Images
Official White House Photo / Pete Souza
First Lady Mrs. O has debuted her ensemble for the state dinner, wearing a gown by Indian-American designer Naeem Khan. The strapless gown features hand cut sterling silver sequins sewn on champagne silk chiffon, which create an abstract floral pattern. The dress is entirely handmade, requiring three weeks of work by 40 people, completed in Naeem Khan's family workshop in India. The custom, one-of-a-kind gown was made by the designer with the theme of Mrs. O's first state dinner in mind. The evening honors the stateside visit of Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, and his wife, Gursharan Kaur.
Mrs. O accessorized her ensemble with oversize Bochic drop earrings, featuring a fleur de lis at each ear and tear drop shapes made of gold and purple stones. Mrs. O completed the look with a dramatic stack of gold and diamond bangle bracelets on her left arm, a coordinating champagne-colored wrap, and her hair swept into a loose, romantic updo.
Earlier today Mrs. O hinted that she might turn to an Indian-American designer for her gown this evening, when she chose a skirt by another Indian-American designer, Rachel Roy, for the state dinner preview event. This is Mrs. O's first time publicly wearing a Naeem Khan design and what a debut! Mrs. O is bringing a modern brand of glamour to the White House, the likes of which we've not seen before.
For those who want to watch the coverage live, Politico has a livestream here. The White House will also live stream beginning at 8:15PM EST, here.
As a sidenote: Naeem Kahn is scheduled to be panelist on Larry King Live tonight at 9PM EST. Perhaps Larry will ask about the dress?
Update: We just watched Mr. Naeem Khan on Larry King Live. Of interest, both the designer's father and grandfather designed for Indian royalty in their careers. Mr. Khan relayed that he designed 3 or 4 gowns for the event, which were coordinated through Ikram Goldman in Chicago. The brief had been "Indian, chic, simple, but very glamorous." With that, Mr. Khan chose the color, embroidery, cut and all other aspects of the gowns. He called the moment of seeing the first lady in his design, "So joyous," continuing, "For me to be part of this historic occasion, being Indian, it is beyond amazing. It is an incredible moment for me."
Read more about the Naeem Khan's perspective (and the Halston influence beyond the state dinner dress) in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, here. Thanks denisegirl!
Official White House Photos by Pete Souza
Bochic, Naeem Khan
Reader Comments (246)
OMG, she looks absolutely STUNNING! GORGEOUS dress and jewels!!!!!!!
She looks RAVISHING!!!!
(dies)
She looks amazing
.................and sparkle she does. My heart jumped in my chest when she stepped through those doors. That dress is absolutely beautiful and no heavy jewellry needed just perfect elegance. America has royalty in the form of the Obama's.
Mrs T, I'm hooked. It's 12.15am. I have to go to bed. I'm up in six hours but I'm hooked.
someone post a link! QUICKLY!!!
I nearly fell off my chair when I saw Mrs. O! Stunningly beautiful - the dress, the hair, the makeup, the bangles, the earrings - everything looked amazing.
Wowza! That dress is...jeez, words fail. She looks amazing.
She went daring with her hair, s-t-u-n-n-i-n-g. I didn't even notice the dress. This Lady is something else.
Who's on Politico Livestream ? I'm hooked.
You guys are killing me here! Link please????
SHE LOOKS PHENOMENAL!!!! Hair, makeup & dress. Probably one of her best looks.
I have to say, I am completely unimpressed with 90% of the guest's dresses this evening. Mrs.O however was a golden ray of light tonight. Sexy, sophisticated and beautiful.
AO, at this stage, I have to say that NOTHING comes close to this look. EVERYTHING is completely flawless. I really need to see her hair close up. I'm hyperventilating with excitement. I'm sure Michelle knows she's lucky to be married to the President but Mr President must be bursting with pride tonight.
It's after midnight over here. I must go to bed but I can't.
Where is this being shown? I'm on C-Span now and nothing's going on.
The White House will also be streaming live starting at 8:15pm ET
www.whitehouse.gov/live
I don't know what to say really, I'm at a loss of words, STUNNING is an understatement, PHENOMENAL, BEAUTIFUL, RADIANT I don't know someone help me find the right word lol
Thank you, Jesus. I just saw Blair Underwood and Alfre Woodard arrive. They seem so happy to be a part of this wonderful evening. I know I'd be.
What is with all of the women in the tacky pant suits? The problem isn't that they're wearing pants, but they're bad, too casual pants. Ugh...
Um, what color was the dress? Latecomers are feelign left out!
You guys can check out Politico's live stream of guests arrivals Here or cnn's live stream Here There's also the white houses live stream that Mrs.T linked to.
You missed her first entrance and welcoming of the PM and I guess it will be a minute until photos are up on getty or yahoo, but I'm sure you will see her dress again when the dinner officially begins at 8pm.
@ Town
She wore a strapless gold embroidered dress with a matching light gold shawl, dangly gold earrings and a stack of gold bangles with her hair up.
I agree with you, Ari some of the outfits have been quite unimpressive but some of the ladies sari's are beautiful. The mayor's wife looked nice. Is Ashrirya Rai attending tonight ?
@zile, no photos yet, but I snagged this from the livestream: http://twitpic.com/qt978
They must be having their apertifs now..........kir royale, anyone ? Must be nice.
O-so amazing!!!
Hair,earrings,makeup, skin, on point
http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?contractUrl=2&language=en-US&family=editorial&p=barack%20obama&assetType=image#
here u go
Are those the earrings that Michelle wore on election night ?
I am so THRILLED watching the live feed. Michelle's dress is an OMG OMG OMG!
All the colorful sari's are beautiful. Alfre Woodard & Blair Underwood - WOW-her dress was so lovely. Nancy Pelosi also looked impeccable. One observation, some ladies who do not appear to be of Indian origin are wearing saris-probably to honor the Indian president-but it sort of seems unnecessary to me.
If you haven't seen a photo, refresh the page. A pic is up, now.
so beautiful and poised!
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//091125/480/d70bfce853514c8bb92cd857d58b1039/
look at this side view of Flotus she looks like she belongs in a vogue magazine
thankyou Mrs. T
Excuse me while I step outside and howl at the moon...
Gasped when I saw her. Beautiful.
Two things:
1) Can anyone comment on the appropriateness of non-Indian women wearing Saris? Is it polite or too costume-y?
2) Does anyone think there is at all a chance that Mrs. O is pregnant? I thought she looked like she had a little belly earlier when she came out for the preview and they showed a side shot. Then when they were on the steps she kept her hands and/or wrap in front of her stomach the whole time. I also thought she looked very stressed. Did anyone else think that?
Wonderful... she is representing us very well!
Geez, she's the First American Beauty, stunningly gorgeous!
She does look FAB, so regal!
OMG! I can't stop looking at her! She looks so Gorgeous and the President, i think, has fallen in love all over again! :)
sidenote: I do hope she can breathe! :))
Wow - this is my favorite evening look ever!! Stunning and so appropriate!
Breathtaking
Nice dress...Michelle looked wonderful
LOOK AT OUR FIRST LADY....AMAZING, SIMPLY AMAZING!
OMG! She looks fabulous. I think I like this gown better than one she wore for the inauguration. The gold complements her skin tone perfectly. Mrs. Obama had nothing but fashion homeruns today. Fabulous.
I am speechless. She looks more amazing than I could have imagined. She looks so hot!!!!
"Can anyone comment on the appropriateness of non-Indian women wearing Saris? Is it polite or too costume-y?"
It's not INappropriate or anything. But I (as an Indian woman) always find it sort of cheesy. That said, Mrs. O looks gorgeous! I love that she went with Naeem Khan.
Pure perfection. I was hoping for a bright Indian inspired color but this gold is even better! I didn't even think of gold as an option! Way to throw us a curve ball, Mrs o!!
The dress is just stunning. It translates so well in this photo so you just know it's gonna look amazing on tv and I can't imagine how beautiful it is in person. The fit is pure perfection. It's a simple column dress, but the perfected fit and the pattern adds such drama and pure elegance. It's just made for her and she looks amazing. And then the makeup is so pretty and the updo is fabulous. Really, she looks perfect.
I think this may be her number one look. She's has some great looks, but I think overall, this one tops them all.
This is a 10!!!!! The dress, the hair, the make-up, the jewelry, her flawless skin, all equal...perfect!!! WOW!!!!! Score another for the O-team!
She looks absolutely fabulous !!!!!!!
Gor-freaking-geous! Loves it!
Perfection!
NICE NICE NICE MRS O LOOKED GREAT AND ALSO HER HUSBAND LOL.