Mrs. O Sparkles at Governors' Dinner
Sunday, February 22, 2009 at 3:33 PM 
Photo credit: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images Tonight the Os will welcome the National Governors Association to the White House, hosting their first black tie dinner at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. As we mentioned earlier this week, Earth, Wind & Fire is slated to play, which will surely make for a fun evening. From the White House press release:
"The White House is the place where our bond as Americans is strengthened," said Desiree Rogers, White House Social Secretary. "We look forward to welcoming the nation’s governors to celebrate our democratic ideals, our diversity, our shared values and the best of the American spirit."
We're curious to see how Mrs. O will interpret black tie attire at the White House - a cocktail dress or a formal evening gown? (Of note, the reference to "black tie" came from Lynn Sweet's very reliable column for the Chicago Sun Times.)
Update: This afternoon Mrs. O spoke with a group of culinary students from L'Academie de Cuisine in the White House kitchen before the Governors' Dinner. The Huffington Post has a slideshow here. The dress is a cocktail length cobalt blue gem from Jason Wu's Spring 2009 collection (runway image here). As many have already observed in the comments, the dress is quite similar to the white Jason Wu dress that Mrs. O wore for an interview with Barbara Walters in November. We imagine the materials and construction - raw silk with hand embroidered rosettes - are the same. Lynn Sweet at the Chicago Sun Times also has the scoop on the menu, china and flowers for tonight's event, which can be read here.
Update: Mrs. O has changed dresses! The First Lady is wearing a sequin, strapless gown by Peter Soronen paired with a dramatic multi-strand necklace of pearls and crystals by Tom Binns. The dress is the "twilight gown" from Peter Soronen's Fall Winter 2008 collection. As is Soronen's signature, the top part of dress is a corset, with a long bias skirt, all in sequins. The color, we're told, is actually a deep purple / ink blue. With her hair pulled up, our First Lady Mrs. O is the epitome of style and glamour this evening. The Huffington Post's "The Other Red Carpet" slideshow is a must see.
Jason Wu, Peter Soronen, Tom Binns in Outfits
Reader Comments (267)
first time commenting. long time reader. ditto to the accolades on this dress. wish it was the inaugural.
Vicci~
There has been criticism about the lack of AA designers. Interestingly, Ikram (Mrs. O unofficial stylist) has suddenly asked up & comer Tracy Reese to send designs. So we'll see if we start seeing her stuff show up in O's wear.
http://michelleostyle.blogspot.com/2009/02/is-michelle-obama-wearing-tracy-reese.html
Lovely and out of the box approach as usual...
This lady sure knows how to bring modernity and a fun, bold twist to fashion.
It is always uniquely her and what a thrill...
She surprise me. Beautiful. I will so happy if she can loose 5 to 10 kilos. Fashion match well with low weight.
Ma, I don't see it. Lose 10 to 20 pounds? Why? She's got a stunning figure.
Whatever. She's not a model, she's a normal woman, so she doesn't have to adhere to someone's cracked-out notions of what "matches well" with fashion.
The 200th post just for Mrs. O :)
Ma--- http://michelleostyle.blogspot.com/ compare michelle and the model where the same dress.
Is this what you call fashion?
She looks stunning, it's the best she's ever looked. I even like it better than the too-innocent inaugural gown. This was is elegant, mature, sexy and vivacious.. I love it great pick!!!
Her accessories, makeup and hair are on-point too, I think it will be hard to beat this night overall.
To the person hoping Mrs.O take off 15 pounds for fashion, I just have to say.
This woman is our First Lady. She is not a model, not an actress. she is not playing or auditioning for a role.
She IS the wife of the President of America, the mother of Malia and Sasha, the daughter of Mrs. Robinson and my (as well as millions of people's) personal hero.
She can put on weight or take off weight, whatever SHE wants to do. Just like she wore a gorgeous princess dress on inaugural night, because She WANTED to.
{lease stop saying how she should be. either embrace or critique nicely but please don't try to CHANGE her. she is amazing the way she is.
I am so dissapointed in everyone's perception of Michelle Obama. I'm sick of hearing how "beautiful" she is. If the truth is told, she is not beautiful, and she needs a stylist to help her poor wardrobe decision making. I think everyone is afraid to say bad things about her because they will appear racist, but as a Black woman, I have no problems saying that Michelle is not a representation of a beautiful Black woman - she's average looking with a big jaw. I know far prettier and better dressed Black women than Michelle.
toi22
Thank you, people WANT TO CHANGE HER JUST LIKE HER HUSBAND. The First Lady wears what the hell she wants becuase SHE LIKES it. I pray that she does not change who she is to please people. SHe got were she is today being Michelle LaVaughn Robinson, she needs to remain that person.
Truth Palabra --
DON'T HATE!! THis comes from an Indian girl!! Who loves the Goregeous first lady.
true palabra, CLEARLY lying about her identity, please keep it on moving to fox news!!!
(and enjoy the next 4-8 years of pure obama deliciousness)
That's it! Michelle Obama has turned me gay. God, this woman is SO HOT! Those hips are just slammin', and obviously, she's intelligent, graceful, accomplished, etc., etc. (But those hips......DAMN!)
truthpalabra-why would you come to a blog named Mrs. O and (Michelle Obama Fashion and Style) which is clearly dedicated to her fashion and style btw, and state you are DISAPPOINTED in everyone's perception of her??? I mean, did somebody MAKE you wander over here?
Stunning!
@ Truth Palabra...
Nobody said Mrs. Obama was the most beautiful black woman in the world--she is beautiful among women of any race, but the subjectivity of beauty being what it is, one can argue about any beautiful woman (regardless of race) that there are even more beautiful women out there. Moreover, unless the person in question is one of the handful of almost inhumanly beautiful model-types out there, chances are such a statement would be very obviously true. But the point isn't to assign Mrs. Obama a ranking; it's to appreciate what she, as a unique individual, brings to the table. I and many others think that she is beautiful, period (which is especially appealing in conjunction with her gracious and "real" personality, etc), and whether there are people out there who are even MORE beautiful is beside the point.
However, it seems like maybe your point (or I've at least heard this expressed by some) is that people's amazement at Michelle Obama can sometimes suggest a certain amount of surprise at finding themselves thinking a black woman is attractive and appealing, as if they haven't had the experience before. I can understand how it can seem that way, and obviously it's a horrifying and embittering idea. While this may in fact be the case for some people (though Jesus, I hope it is not), I think that most FLOTUS fans are just genuinely impressed by her among all women, especially first ladies. (As far as I know all of the first ladies have been fundamentally good people, though of course we all have flaws, but Michelle has found a way that none before her really has of relaxing in and inhabiting that role in a way that allows people to feel like they're seeing "the real her." So, among first ladies, she seems truly remarkable.) To the extent that race plays a role in people's fascination, I think most of it is just that many, many Americans, of all races, are truly excited to have a black first couple at last, and so we (yep, I'm definitely included) have an extra store of good will for Mrs. O.
Anyway, sorry this is so long; my point is really just that I can understand at least some reasons why people's fixation on Michelle might seem troubling, but I don't think it's as sinister as all that. And while there are enough beautiful women (including enough beautiful black women) in the world that she is undoubtedly not the most beautiful among them, there is much to admire regardless.
@rachel
What is your point? Why should people callinh her beautiful be "troubling." Is it because she is not fair skinned with flowing hair!!! Everyone has their own opinion which is great, but its pretty strange to me when I hear from other women that she should not be considered beautiful. If Halle Berry is considered the protype of black beauty why is Michelle not. I never hear people says don't call Halle beutiful or don't call Angelina Jolie beautiful!! I just find it extreamly odd that Michelle's beauty has to be explained.
Michelle will defiently change the notion of what is beauty. Modeling agencies are already looking for black girls that look like Sasha and Malia. Maybe one day we will all see beauty in multiple eyes. Also, don't act like the "standard" of beauty is not used when people look at Michelle. The European notion of what is beautiful. I see it everyday in the Indian community. I watched a report on ABC newas about African women bleaching their skin, so a certain look is excepted in society.
@ Sass
Sorry, I guess I wasn't clear. I'm NOT saying it's troubling--not at all! I was responding to what some OTHER people have said. That is, some journalists etc have said that people act like Michelle Obama is the only pretty, smart, etc black woman in the history of the world; for this reason, these journalists etc find the fixation on her troubling (they think the fixation is really just a sign of racism). My response is that I DON'T think it's troubling and DON'T think it's a sign of racism -- I think people just like her for her and that doesn't mean anything about who else they think is pretty and so on. I was just trying to respond to Truth Palabra's statement that there are prettier black women out there -- my point was that whether there are or aren't is beside the point. Sorry if I was confusing.
she is NOT pretty or gorgeous...she is attractive, thats all.
I don't know why people go over board trying hard to say she is beautiful ...she is NOT. There are millions of black women who are gorgeous, all you have to do is to visit Africa. so this is NOT about being racist, I am half black, it's about the fact.
Michelle is lucky that she is tall and that is part of her attractiveness.
Namboo Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! Just because you think she not gorgeous doesn't make it fact. It's just your opinion! OK!!
Surely, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What is the point of debating if someone is beautiful??
For example, I think Jennifer Anniston is truly hideous. I have nothing against her, at all, but I don't find her attractive. Yet millions of people think she is gorgeous. My boyfriend regularly says that Sarah Jessica Parker is incredibly ugly, and yet I find her so charming and endearing--and beautiful. And I am one of millions who think so.
Why argue with someone else over whether or not Mrs. O is beautiful? To ME, she is very beautiful, and that extends not only to her looks but to her personality. If you do not agree with that perception of her, this is simply not the site for you.
Why bother trying to convince people that you know better than their own eyes? You will never succeed. So just move on.
Very few women in the world are born with the perfect features to be called naturally beautiful. Knowing this, most of us have learned to see beauty as a combination of many factors--not just having the ideal measurements or perfectly proportioned features, etc. I agree that Michelle Obama has her share of physical imperfections as does EVERY woman in the world, but I consider her a beautiful woman because of the combination of intelligence, love and devotion to her family, personal success, charm, graciousness, and a host of other qualities which are far more important than the "accidents" of having perfect physical features. But most important, she is currently the wife of our country's president; and I believe that so far she is using that platform to spread love, patriotism, appreciation for culture, and yes, an excitement for fashion. And there's nothing wrong with having a place to express our appreciation to her for the good things she's doing in this very important role. Thank you, Mrs. O!!
I wish some of the people would stop trying to segregate Michelle Obama and trying to put her into just one category. In my opinion it is fine to highlight what makes Michelle a beautiful 'woman' or a beautiful First Lady, but all of this talk about what makes a beautiful 'black woman' this or that or comparing her to women in Africa is ridiculous. She does not represent 'only' black women. Michelle is the First Lady of ALL of America and represents ALL women of all races, ethnicities, religions, etc. She is not in a beauty contest running for Ms.America or Ms. World.
Michelle Obama is a beautiful 'person' inside and out.
Here's a video link from CNN of the White House dinner event:
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2009/02/23/moos.black.tie.cnn
It's great! It shows Michelle walking in her gown and also the back of the gown!
Amen Leah!!especially the part obout putting her in a box of "blackness" i.e. representing black women. I, for one, a black woman myself, wish color did not have to drip from everyone's lips each time they talk of Michelle. They didn't call Laura Bush White!
The first lady of these United States Michelle Obama is sexy, incredibly gorgeous, simply stunning and with a fashion instinct and oodles of great sense to boot...
She is the complete package!
So, SUE US "Truth Palabra" and "Namboo"...
It was me that said Michelle Obama was one of the most beautiful women in the world.
That's my opinion. I'm entitled to it.
Truth Palabra doesn't think so, and is entitled to that view also.
I'm not right. Truth Palabra isn't right. We just have different opinions.
Michelle Obama is at home getting on with making the world a better place, while being the best person that she can be, whether we're looking or not. She's probably closer to right than either of us!
But, why TP would want to come here and spend SO much time yelling about how many other much prettier black women she knows, I don't get. I've seen a lot of pretty women of all ethnicities in my 20 years living and working in London. But they weren't role models for me. I might have liked the way they wore a certain type of skirt, or how they'd parted their hair, but they weren't First Lady. So I'm here appreciating something that makes a difference to the way I live my life. I've applied to be a volunteer teaching adult literacy because of what I see the Obama's doing. What are you doing Truth Palabra? To make your country a better place for someone less fortunate than you? Other than being short tempered with me for being happy?
Michelle is the WIFE of the President, she is the FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES. She will get attention from that alone, but she also possess a physical attractiveness which she knows how to emphasize in her dress, a calm dignity about herself, a loving and demonstrative personality (ever seen a couple (Michelle and Mr. O so touchy feely in a nice way?a), a loving and devoted wife and mother who sacrificed so much for her husband and children and grace. And if you doubt it Mr O doesn't appreciate, look at how Mr. O looks at her and how happy he is in that pic. It's not about black, etc. I don't want her to rep one race either.
I think she's beautiful and I'm entitled to my opinion.
Posh Tater - It's nice that you are inspired to give back because of the Obamas, I have started volunteering my time too because of them.
I hate to say people are jealous, but in some comments, I detect an bit of jealousy from some posters. And it's to be expected since Mrs. O embodies what many of us women try to achieve - balance between being a force on our own, yet having a strong and loving family life at the same time.
In these trying times, it is exciting to have a First Lady who is embracing her difficult role and flourishing.
Bravo, Posh Tater!!!
Mrs Obama looked beautiful, I just think the necklace had a few too many strands of beads.
I just watched the cnn clip of this event. Our fist lady is just beautiful and everybody looks nice just as in the pictures.
@ Truth Palabra… I really want to see how you look. No body is prettier than anyone on earth, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I am an Africa and in Africa thin women are known as to the least attractive.
At least Michelle has a husband who really loves and respect her, can you say that about all the so called prettier black women you are taking about?
I personally think that Michelle is beautiful; she has great skin, high cheekbones, and a radiant smile. I know that she is not like the traditional beauties we see in magazines, but I find that refreshing.
Beauty also emanates from within. I've known men and women who were attractive on the outside at first, but their attitudes and personalities just made them ugly after some time. Truth Palabra, you probably fit into this category.
As an African lady living in the UK it is both encouraging and inspiring to be able to pick up newspapers,watch the news and read magazines and see someone like Michelle Obama, before you claim that she is not beautiful what do you look like do you live with pride and grace like Michelle.
She is a lady who is a beautiful person on the inside and out just because she is not a size 2 model or light skinned which is the true reason that even some black women may be jealous of her.
IVA I completely agree with you about the jealousy.
My feeling is that oftentimes, we see a media image of one individual that makes their life look effortless. And I think for some people, the Obama's look like they've been handed this on a plate... or people think that having designer clothes makes Michelle's life easier.... or that the "image" can't be real ...
I get that. I have fleeting moments when I think "I wish I had a chef to cook dinner so that I'd have more time". But you know what? If I want to use all of my time productively, I will. And I don't! Very few of us do, if we're honest. It's when I look at all the stuff I could achieve if I really tried...? That's when I get mad!!! (But I get mad at me, not at a nice lady in a great frock!)
The point is that The Obama's have worked inCREDibly hard to get to this point. And all the haters just don't want to see that. They don't want to think about the organising that it would take to get children off to school AND look immaculate AND travel across the country AND speak in public without notes AND sort out childcare, phone calls, school lunches, playdates, shopping, gymn sessions, book dinner, dry cleaning, research where you're going and who you're going to speak to, schedule press interviews, TV appearances, organise clothes for that, get prepared for a meeting at work, brief a colleague, get home at 1am so that you're there to start the next day with the children, catch up with your mother so you know what's been going on and what's in the fridge. AND be an attentive wife? Who looks fabulous? And go on dates looking like you care? Hello? This is easy????!!!!
THIS is what makes Michelle Obama beautiful to me. She had, as she has said, a nice life. This life in the White House may look glamourous, but it's not the life she originally built with her husband. This is what she gave up her nice life FOR.
Anyway, (God I always seem to be ranting on here!!) I came on to say that The Huffington article about the clothes on Saturday.... I thought they picked some really odd outfits as their top picks. There are some women in that slide show who could do with some good advice on a decent bra! My top picks would be Mrs Obama, Valerie Jarrett and Desiree. They looked fabulous, and the lady in the green dress who has already been mentioned. (Sorry can't remember.) And the two ladies in the same red dress looked good but one of them definitely hit a ten with it and the other one just looked really nice!
I'm really looking forward to seeing more black tie nights if this one was a taste of what's to come!
Let's not get too wound up over a few trolls. No one has to explain their taste. If someone is tired of hearing people call Michelle Obama pretty, this would seem to be the wrong place to visit, but, whatever.
I was talking with my mother about this dress, and she was noting how it looked very dark blue to her on television, but it still reads silvery-gray to me in the photos. It makes me wonder if some of the "issues" with Michelle Obama's clothing choices is because she's not yet entirely used to choosing clothing based on how it will be photographed.
For example, the Jason Wu inaugural gown was full of amazing detail when you saw it close up (and I assume, in person.) But in photos, I'm not sure if that came through.
It was somewhat the same with the Toledo inaugural day dress -- close up, I just couldn't get over how amazing that lace was; it was really exquisitely made. But in far away pictures, perhaps the color came through more than the construction.
The election night Narciso dress is a clear example, IMO, of not necessarily thinking how a dress would appear to cameras. In person, I'm sure it looked perfectly fine -- on camera, not so much.
Anyway, this is not to say that her clothing choices are wrong. I just think that, unlike a Hollywood starlet, she's dressing for the people in the room, not for the "audience at home."
The question I have is, was there a blog on what Laura Bush wore, or did anybody even commented on her cloths as much as Michelle's. Laura Bush was not the most beautiful woman but I thought she was classy and such a lady and so does Michelle.
Jay, I'm not aware of such a blog, but it doesn't mean that there wasn't one, or that no one can start one. Laura Bush didn't have a reputation as being on the cutting edge of fashion, but that doesn't mean she's not a good, classy and attractive person, etc.
Christina's 11:46 am post is one of the most insightful I've read since I first visited here. I believe that Ikram Goldberg is selecting her clothes and it is possible that she is thinking how they will look "in person" rather than in still photographs or videos. Mrs. Obama is now a public person. Ikram should consider this in her selections for her.
Christina - maybe you did not finish reading my comment.
Wow, she looks gorgeous! Though I agree that there probably could have been a couple less strands to her necklace(s)...
Kristan
http://jbu.phuzzymath.net/
Mrs.O is the best dress First Lady in history. I admire her because I am tall and she is too. She dressess very well. I don't think she should ever change her style. As the Bible clearly states"stand firm and take your position" Michelle. May God continues to Bless you and family.
Aman to that!!!!!!!!! Lorra Jones
I do understand that this blog is about fashion, but guys, dressing up lavishly like this doesn't go well with the whole state of the country, where jobs are shattered, people are literally living on the streets, and some may even struggle with high prices of food. Shame on Washington.
The first lady and the president should be the first 2 humble and understanding individuals in the US. If it was me, I would have planned for a low key dinner for the governors rather than everyone dressing up like celebrities in Oscar.....Washington is NOT hollywood you know!!! Or at least it's not supposed to be.
WOW! I don't know what has happened to bring all the haters to this site but its very unfortunate.
I do not understand what makes a person go to a site that is dedicated to Michelle Obama and then proceed to make unflattering comments about her... why waste the time or effort?? If you don't like the POTUS or the FLOTUS why come to this site???
Truth P I honestly have no words and I won't waste my time on your ignorance.
The FLOTUS looks stunning. I love the dress, jewelry, hair,and the make-up. Fashion is not about rules, that's what's wrong with fashion right now, too many people telling others how to dress. Even when I might not like every outfit she chooses, I like that she brings her own personality to the clothes. She seems to like accessories and that hasn't changed. I find her and her style refreshing.
Truth Palabra, I wanted to take a little while to digest your comments, because it's sometimes the case that when people criticise others harshly, they are putting out there stuff that may have been directed at them, at one time or other, that they then internalise and throw back out there.
A part of me has some understanding of where you may be coming from, even as I completely disagree with you.
Dark skinned, black women are not the standard bearers for beauty or desirability in Western society. It is our just as lovely, lighter skinned black sisters who've been viewed whether on the screen, in print or out in the real world as the beauties and, sadly, at times this has skewed the way we see and treat ourselves, one another, and project on to women who remind us of ourselves. This has been centuries in the making, and has many of its tangled roots in the notion that white and European is superior to black and African.
So, often our lighter skinned black sisters by dint of being less African-looking have been put on a pedestal by society while just as lovely less European-looking black women have been relegated to the second division. This has taken a heavy toll on us emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
That we now have a glowingly dark skinned, black woman, clearly of African descent conducting herself so gloriously on the world stage in the light of this, is almost too much for many of us to absorb, comprehend and come to terms with at this point. And, I understand that. It is truly mindblowing, in the best possible way.
I said that I disagree with you, and nothing changes there. Beholding that picture of the First Lady, in that dress, so clearly comfortable and at home with herself and who she is, and looking so devastatingly gorgeous while doing so, I hope you get to a place where you feel as comfortable with yourself, too.
First, I think Mrs. O looks absolutely gorgeous and does the nation proud.
Second, all the people who criticize the money spent on the White House dinner forget that a lot that money goes to supporting local businesses. Evidently the critics haven't read that one of the things that contribute to a recession is the lack of consumer spending.
Third, what kind of a message to the country and the world does it send if the First Couple are in sackcloth and ashes? Sure, we're going through hard times, but we'll recover and be better than ever, and I think people like to see the White House showing optimism and a positive attitude.
I'll admit that at first I was a little unsure about Michelle Obama, but after getting to know her I now think she'll turn out to be one of our greatest First Ladies and I love seeing what she's wearing. She's tall, elegant, fit, and looks great in whatever she's wearing. I'm looking forward to EIGHT years of great White House fashions!