Mrs. O in Alexander McQueen
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 6:32 PM 
Image by Saul Loeb / Getty Images
Image by Jewel Samad / Getty Images
Image by Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP Photos
First Lady Michelle Obama wears a red petal print silk organza off-the-shoulder Alexander McQueen gown to tonight's state dinner at the White House. The color, red, is not a complete surprise, as it symbolizes good luck and happiness in Chinese culture. The choice of design house is more unexpected, as many had speculated that the first lady would wear a gown by a Chinese-American designer. If we've learned one thing about Mrs. O's style, it's that it never fails to surprise. The gown is a daring, high-glamour choice for the occasion.
It is also a wonderful honor for the house of Alexander McQueen. The work of the late designer has long been a staple in the first lady's wardrobe. Booth Moore of the L.A. Times reports that this gown, in fact, was designed by Alexander McQueen's successor, Sarah Burton. Indeed, the dress appears to be a variation of an Alexander McQueen Resort 2011 gown, seen here.
If you haven't yet seen it, please do give Robin Givhan's piece for The Daily Beast a read. In her first story for the site, Givhan does a superb job of translating Mrs. O fashion's message, in a way only she can. Of a seemingly unexpected choice, Givhan presents great logic.
"The red petal print, silk organza gown wasn’t so much an act of diplomacy as a broad statement about the new realities of the fashion industry. In choosing a dress from Alexander McQueen, Mrs. Obama championed the cause of artisan design, the legacy of bespoke tailoring, and the staggering creativity that can be nurtured in the frock trade when it is at its best."
"Michelle Obama in Alexander McQueen: Lady in Red at the White House State Dinner" [The Daily Beast]
Update: For those curious about Mrs. O's jewelry, the First Lady wore Ruby and Geode Earrings in 18k Yellow Gold from New York-based jewelry designer Kimberly McDonald.
Reader Comments (168)
Love it. Such a thoughtful choice for the Chinese.
Do we know the stones that were in the First Lady's beautiful earrings? If a stone and designer could be identified that would be greatly appreciated!
Love Mrs. O and think she looks beautiful in red. Maybe it's just me, but I want to pull up the drooping shoulder. I realize this is fashionable now, but it looks strange.
Mrs. T, since it has been reported that the original design was customized for Mrs. O, can you explain how that works? Is it likely that she only requested a sleeveless version of the dress and Sarah Burton came up with the on/off-shoulder design? Or do you think Mrs. O made a more specific request...or maybe all that is between the two of them? In general, how much would a designer customize to the buyer's request?
OUR FIRST LADY IS ONE OF A KIND!!!! AND I LOVE THE DRESS
Hi all! it's been a while since I posted! Love reading everyone's comments. I just love fashion talk!
Hair: I love the hairdo. FLOTUS manages to show off the versatility of having relaxed medium length hair! it looks awesome up and way better than Scarlett's bride of Frankenstein do at the Globes!
Makeup: Very flattering and well done. any clue what color her lipstick is or what makeup line she uses?
Accessories: Love the earrings and the fact that all she wore were earrings. I am a big fan of no shawls. I feel they detract from the gown. I would have preferred to see something more complementary to the gown to cover her shoulders.
Outfit: I love the color. I am picky about patters...but this is the size of pattern I usually like. it's not too busy and tones down the red a bit. Red looks great on her too! I would love to see what shoes she is wearing. I saw the original back of the dress and I loved it. Is MO's dress the same in the back? I am not loving the sleeve looking like its falling off the shoulder. it does not look like it was supposed to be that way and it makes that pleat in the front look funny. She looks stunning!
NOTE: I think this is appropriate for a State dinner. I would say that the Chinese president is underdressed. POTUS is wearing a tux...what goes with tux? A gown. Are there any pics of the Chinese First Lady?
Golden globes, Hollywood , CA = State dinner , Washington DC
The color is beautiful but I dont particularly like the dress. I thought she looked her absolute best at the state dinner for India. She looks good though not her best. From all accounts most thought it was a hit so it must look and flow better in person. That being said, it seemed to be a wonderful event. Loved the menu, guest, entertainment, and all.
a MI Mom, I can only make a semi-educated guess here. My thought is that in this case the gown was coordinated through Ikram in Chicago, as Ikram has been the source for Mrs. Obama's Alexander McQueen pieces in the past. I think there are two likely scenarios. 1. The commercial version of the gown was altered slightly from what was presented in the Resort 2011 collection. 2. Ikram / The White House requested an alteration to the design. I don't think this would be a huge surprise, given that Ikram has been known to request such modifications (such as with the Narciso Rodriguez dress Mrs. O wore on election night in 2008). I would also guess that this dress was created solely for Mrs. Obama, in which case, the modification could easily have been handled during production. Those are my thoughts!
I agree with the posts about the off-the-shoulder design. This doesn't look like an intentional one-shoulder dress. It looks like the left shoulder of the dress would not stay up. She probably appeared that way at the beginning of the evening and, rather than admit it was a mistake, she just let it stay where it was, possibly hoping others would think it was meant to be that way. At any rate, I think it spoiled the entire look which, otherwise, was smashing.
Absolutely Fab! I don't get the shawl, but I still dig it!
Just like she did last year on the anniversary of the inauguration, Mrs. Obama and Bo are surprising visitors to the White House today and they are livestreaming it now!
http://www.whitehouse.gov/live?utm_source=012011&utm_medium=intro&utm_campaign=daily
It amazes me how design, especially avant-garde design is received. It reminds me of how people react in a neighborhood of Victorian cottages when someone decides to build a glass and steel abode. It throws of their senses. The same with the strap of this gown. The dress was designed this way. It does not need to be pulled up, but clearly some minds need to be opened up to the endless possibilities of design.
Hey @meta THANKS for the live stream! Wow, she is up and greeting visitors after what must have been quite a night...with state dinner. My family and I went last year to visit the White House but the First Family was in Africa. Lucky visitors! Thanks again meta
The Chinese first lady did not accompany her husband on this visit. Smart lady....can you imagine the criticisms she would face, probably on this website!
ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!!
"Clothes and jewellery should be startling, individual. When you see a woman in my clothes, you want to know more about them. To me, that is what distinguishes good designers from bad designers." - Alexander McQueen
I had to borrow this quote from LaVonne because I think A. McQueen would be so proud!
to get a little rachel zoe on y'all, I die. That dress is amazing. the jewelry is amazing. my jaw dropped open. I feel some people's comments on the hair I guess, but as a total package...so so amazing. Alexander McQueen on a first lady is so amazing and unexpected and beautiful!
b, did you see what rachel zoe thought of the dress? just retweeted at twitter.com/@mrs_o. rz loved it too!
New pretty sleek outfit.
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Michelle-Obama/ss/events/pl/050108michelleobama#photoViewer=/110120/480/urn_publicid_ap_org_f4c9c8fb02154eb0b76e0793f53f1c54
@responder
"I agree with the posts about the off-the-shoulder design. This doesn't look like an intentional one-shoulder dress. It looks like the left shoulder of the dress would not stay up. She probably appeared that way at the beginning of the evening and, rather than admit it was a mistake, she just let it stay where it was, possibly hoping others would think it was meant to be that way. At any rate, I think it spoiled the entire look which, otherwise, was smashing"
I promise you, I PROMISE you, that last night was not the first time she put that dress on. A White House state dinner is not a "oh, let's see, what's in my closet?" occasion. That's how you and I might dress. That is not how she would dress for this occasion. The asymmetric neckline is 100 percent intentional.
Flash forward 50 years: The dress is on display in the Smithsonian...drawing guffaws, snickers, and finger-pointing in contrast with the classic gowns of Mrs. Kennedy.
gorgeous hair
stunning makeup
nice color
pull up the sagging shoulder strap and lose the shawl
curious about her shoes and what happened to the wife of the Chinese Prime Minister
Your guess sounds more than just "semi"-educated, Mrs. T. I didn't know that Ikram handled requests like that for Mrs. O. While I don't care for the on/off shoulder look, it's hard to imagine Mrs. O in the puffy sleeves of the original version.
No! No! No! All wrong again. The color choice, while obvious and not a surprise was wrong for her- an orange-red that looked garish. Not only was it unflattering, but also it was such a busy print and the whole thing was... distracting. The cut made her hips look deformed in the photos. I am not rocking the Bride-of Frankenstein hairdo choice, either. I would have loved to see her in a color that would have contrasted with all of the red I would assume was in attendance, such as a figure flattering, simple white gown (Mrs. O looks amazing in white). Also, did the Chinese leader have an escort? I would have thought it appropriate to include a photo of her even over one of Vera Wang or Anna Wintour.
Show Stopper! Traffic Stopper! Eye-poppin'...People-Stoppin' Chic!
@Marcus Perry, I guess you could be considered a newbie, but for some of us that are oldies and been here since the beginning, this thread is pretty tame. Back in the day, we use to go after you if you said one bad thing about Mrs. O. However, as time has passed we (well, I should only speak for myself). I have learned that majority of the time people are only critiquing Mrs. O's clothes, not the woman. Every once in a while you get an ignoid who tries to slip one in, like calling a look "trampy", and she/he needs to be checked. Then you have your consistently negative nancies that you learn to overlook. So, I said all that to say this, it could be worse ;-)
I must admit, this dress grew on me. When I first saw pics of it, I wasn't wowed by it. I guess it wasn't what I expected. However, when I saw the video and saw how it flowed when she walked, I fell in like with it. And I like it alot. I'm not feeling the shawl though. Mr. and Mrs. O are one beautiful couple!!
Wow! She is rockin in this! She could stop traffic.
@ Nyon: So true. I remember comment threads where blood would be DRAWN, girl. This little thread is nothing compared to The Struggle Over Sleeves (which raged in several different comment threads) Not to be confused with The Battle of the Belts or Conflict Over Cardigans.
@Christina, LOL, I know, right! I am laughing right now thinking about it, but back then, I use to be HOT at the computer, tapping away giving folks a piece of my mind. Time does bring by the change.
Taken all together, I think Mrs. O looks beautifully stunning.
michelle is working this mcqueen gown, absolutely stunning on her and that print is just divine. that dress is such a statement
http://elenavasilieva.blogspot.com/
x
And I would add that she looks amazing today, both in the video of her greeting guests at the White House and in the announcement with WalMart. Love the hair!
I'm so sorry to say I don't like the pattern, the print. But no matter, I'm very fond of the dear FLOTUS and admirative of her " port de tête de reine" . The way Michelle Obama carries her head is remarquable... What a body made for haute-couture ! So gorgeous, so royal.
Son sourire est vrai, chaleureux, classe with a touch of modesty. Mais pourquoi n'avons-nous pas une femme pareille en France ? Elles font toutes semblant d'être timides, ici !
Michelle Obama, a queen.
Bravo!!!
Well, no one could say the choice of the dress was boring! After all, she is the hostess here so
she can wear whatever adds to the festivities and the occasion. She must have been a stand-out
at the party. It's not my personal favorite of her ball gowns, but it did suit the Chinese event.
Char from Seattle
I love the dress. I love the hair. I love the color. I love that she wears what she likes.
"I'm not TOtally sure I dig the little shawl. Is it just me, or does it not really match anything? Anyway, just being picky." Christina
No, I agree with you, it's kind of in the way. I would have liked to see Mrs O walking without her arms held up to support the shawl - which is too small to be doing a proper job anyway. It crossed my mind that it might have been a gift from earlier in the day, in which case it was a nice gesture. But if it wasn't then I wish she had let the dress speak for it's extraordinary self. It's a total knockout of a gown. I love that she chooses things that honour her guests. This is a very Chinese looking print and the colour is obviously chosen in tribute. Perfect colour, AWESOME cut. Just stunning. 148 out of 10.
"I am not sure that it reaches the level of sophistication for such a glamorous evening" Cincinatti Kid
Alexander McQueen couture not sophisticated enough for a state dinner? Ri-i-i-ight.
"the strap falling off the shoulder makes it (and her) look trampy" let's get a little perspective
Oh don't be stupid. It isn't falling. It's an asymetric dress. Not in the least trampy. Trampy is turning up with a dress that shows off your breasts AND builders crack AND showing off your Brazilian to the press. This is one of those painful posts that is trying to look subtle and failing miserably.
@ Nyon/Christina - "...the cardigan as Satan's warp and weft..."
I have loved your posts throughout this thread Christina.
"deformed" SLD
Ohhh hell yeah. And we ALL commented on how obvious THAT was didn't we? Queueing up practically, to screech about the deformedness..... yawn.
Good grief, the First Lady is not going to haphazardly wear an ill-fitting dress to a State Dinner. It's a one-shoulder asymmetrical design, get it? It's not something she threw on at the last minute and couldn't manage to keep on her upper body! Like it or not, it's a current design.
The color of the gown is beutiful and Mrs. Obama looks nice... but I have to agree that the design looks a little awkward. It just does not look like the angles are right on the shoulder for an asymetrical fit.
This has been one of the most interesting comment threads in a while. First of all, I absolutely love this dress. It is artistic, it is interesting, and it is stunning. I don't know, but I feel like this dress requires an open mind and an artistic eye. If you're into "the basics" then this dress is not going to be the dress for you.
Now, all this talk about the strap being unintentional is crazy talk. C'mon folks. Yeah, she just said "oops! it keeps falling, whatev!" I always felt like this blog drew some very knowledgeable and fashionable people, but those comments about her strap being unintentional or whatever are bizarre. I feel like off-the-shoulder and asymetrical necklines are pretty common these days.
Anywho...for the most part, though, the naysayers have been respectful and I can see how this dress just flies over some people's heads. It's a statement. But she's getting rave reviews in the media and from other people in the fashion industry, so that's a good thing.
And as an aside, Eleroy (sp???sorry), Christina, Marcus Perry, Posh, Nyon, meta, McKinley - I've enjoyed your comments a lot.
Mrs. Obama look gorgeous ... and the asymetrical neckline is my favourite aspect of the dress! Surprising that some find it inappropriate.
What do you imagine it cost? And, yes, I know she pays for her own clothes ... but what would that gown retail for? Any idea?
The dress is beautiful. Using hte color red as a nod to the Chinese was enough in my opinion--she had no need to patronize a Chinese designer. Diplomacy is tricky. She outshines the Prez, but so did Jackie K.
Did anyone catch Cathy Horyn's piece?
http://runway.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/19/michelle-obamas-state-dinner-gown/?ref=fashion
I am hung up on the last line.
"Among the guests at the dinner were the designer Vera Wang, who has family ties to China and also produces some of her clothes there, and Anna Wintour, the editor in chief of American Vogue. Not on the list were designers typically associated with Mrs. Obama, like Jason Wu and Thakoon Panichgul."
I think there's been a shift of influence regarding who inputs on Mrs. O's style (less Ikram I believe), and Cathy Horyn is perhaps hinting at that. Maybe I'm misreading it. Or maybe it's too cerebral for me. I'm just trying to sort out why it was included and what it means. Thoughts appreciated ...
She looks like a big, beautiful hot house flower. Perhaps the scarf/wrap everyone hates so much is a gift (it looks very asian) and she chose to wear it to honor the guest.
The closeup of the shawl on HuffPo shows it has camels on it. Hmmmmm.
I agree with IVA, nice to read comments from the old crowd. And Posh, I haven't seen your name in a long time!
Mrs. T, maybe this is just another example of how the Obamas seem to get criticized for everything they do. There probably would have been negative comments if too many designers were invited!
@Thumper
"Flash forward 50 years: The dress is on display in the Smithsonian...drawing guffaws, snickers, and finger-pointing in contrast with the classic gowns of Mrs. Kennedy."
YES!!!! Mrs. Kennedy wins again!...er, what?
Call me crazy, but I suspect Michelle might be dressing primarily to please herself, not museum-goers of the future. Also, I think our imaginary grandchildren won't be quite as petty as you're imagining. They will have far cooler clothes than we can conceive of. Jetpacks! Weren't we all promised jetpacks? And where are our flying cars? That's what *I* want to see 50 years from now, I don't know about the rest of y'all.
@Mrs. T
I also scratched my head a bit at that line from Cathy Horyn. My thought was that she was trying to suggest they should have, or could have, been on the guest list because they are Asian. Which is sort of weird. Jason is Chinese, yes, but Thakoon is Thai, and are they supposed to be the only Asian people the Obamas know? It was a little out there.
I wonder if the shawl is a gift from the Chinese visitors, or a previous gift from a Chinese dignitary. That could be a reason Mrs. O chose to wear it. Agreed that it is not really in sync with the gown.
Simply Breathtaking! Truly an Image of Loveliness!