Mrs. O Wows in Ruby Jason Wu

For a second time, Jason Wu has designed Mrs. O's inaugural ball gown. In some sense, it's bit of a surprise. If there's one way to describe the first lady's style, it's diverse. Over the past four years, Mrs. O has worn more than 50 designers, and that's a conservative count. While Jason Wu has remained consistently in the mix - most recently, Mrs. O has worn pieces from the designer's Miss Wu line - new names have emerged too. When polled last week, 10% of you thought Mrs. O would wear Jason Wu for this occasion. This choice indicates a lasting affinity for the designer, and a connection between Wu and Mrs. O that takes on new, even greater status.

As for the dress: the cut of the gown highlights Mrs. O's enviable arms, shoulders and back. The color reads power, and provides an energetic shift away from the subdued hues of the weekend. The lightness and movement of the fabric connotes an easy femininity. All in all, a winning combination.

Per a White House official via the pool report: "The first lady is wearing a custom Jason Wu ruby colored chiffon and velvet gown, shoes by Jimmy Choo, and a handmade diamond embellished ring by jewelry designer Kimberly McDonald. At the end of the inaugural festivities, the outfit and accompanying accessories will go to the National Archives."

Of note, I believe the Kimberly McDonald "embellished ring" is incorporated into the neckline of the dress, per the sketch below. To see more of the first lady's inaugural jewels from Kimberly McDonald, click here.

For further reading:

"Mrs. Obama's Inaugural Wardrobe by Many Designers" [New York Times]

"Picking a Winner Among a Field of Bold Theories" [New York Times]

"First lady Michelle Obama serves as fashion icon" [Washington Post]

A sketch of the gown via CNN's @AlinaChoCNN:

Stunning in Peter Soronen

Image by Paul J. Richards / Getty Images

The first lady is a vision in blue this evening, wearing a stunning one-shoulder gown by the great American designer Peter Soronen. There is a quality about this look that is pure perfection -- at once timeless and timely, embodying a thoroughly American brand of glamour. From the classic, handcrafted gown, to the impeccably chosen accessories, our first lady has never looked better. What a moment!

The azure blue gown was created using three layers of fabric -- chiffon over lame chiffon and silk. As is Peter Soronen's signature, the gown features a corset top with a lace-up back. The concept of the gown, one-shoulder aside, recalls the lavender Peter Soronen dress Mrs. O wore for the Kennedy Center Honors in December.

In an interview with the AP, Peter Soronen commented on his design: "I love the structured bodice that I do for her. I put it in a lot of my dresses. I drape, pin and stitch all that lightweight chiffon -- this look works well on the first lady." In a quote to Mrs-O.org, Soronen added, "I am honored again that our First Lady has selected my designs for the White House."

Update: A new detail to report! Mrs. O's shoes last evening were Jimmy Choo "Jasper" Rhinestone sandals. The first lady also wore a pair of Sutra Jewels blue sapphire and diamond earrings. Click here to hear Peter Soronen talking about the gown on Access Hollywood!

Top two images Getty Images / Bottom image Reuters

Date Night

Image by Yuri Gripas / REUTERS

The first lady looked tres chic as she left for a date night with the president last evening. The first couple dined at KOMI restaurant in Washington, D.C.

Mrs. O's date night attire included a black blazer with bracelet length sleeves, a sequined black camisole, and cropped black pants. For accessories, Jimmy Choo Lantern heels, a VBH clutch, diamond earrings and a mixed stack of bangles completed the look. Might the stack of bangles be Mrs. O's new signature brooch?

Jazz at the White House

Photo by volume12 / Creative Commons

Mrs. O will kick off a new music series at the White House today. The first performance will feature members of the Marsalis family, including Ellis, Wynton (above), and Branford, who will play jazz for 150 students, according to the New York Times. More to follow!

Photo by Jewel Samad / Getty Images

Update: For the event, Mrs. O chose a white pencil skirt, pink blouse and Erickson Beamon floral brooch. The brooch, from Erickson Beamon's Victory Garden collection, was last seen during the final presidential debate last fall. Cinching the first lady's waist was the white version of her famed Alaia belt, visible here. Mrs. O finished the ensemble with her Jimmy Choo Lantern heels (which are quickly becoming Mrs. O's shoe of the season!). Meanwhile, we are very excited about Ms. Robinson's pink and navy top, far left.

A detailed view of Mrs. O's Erickson Beamon brooch:

 

Remembering D-Day (Updated)

 

Photo by Yves Forestier/Getty Images

President Mr. O and First Lady Mrs. O are in Colleville-sur-mer, France this morning to mark the 65th anniversary of D-Day, honoring the Allied soldiers who gave their lives during WWII.

Mrs. O and Ms. Bruni-Sarkozy were once again stylistically in tune, both dressed in white dresses, belted at the waist. Mrs. O wears a white sheath dress, topped with a white coat of minimalist lines. Her ensemble is cinched closed with a wide, silver belt. Jimmy Choo Lantern heels complete the look.

Per the Daily Telegraph (Thank you Mara!):

The French president’s wife chose Dior again, but dropped the grey in favour of a youthfully chic and flattering cap-sleeved ivory satin sheath with a gathered neckline – just the sort of arm-revealing dress Michelle Obama has made her signature.

However, the American First Lady chose to relinquish what her husband jokingly called her “right to bare arms” for the day, choosing to put a coat by Narciso Rodriguez Michael Kors over a dress by Michael Kors Narciso Rodriguez (both New York designers), though the belt she wore was by Givenchy.

Update: In fact, the Daily Telegraph had their details backwards. Mrs. O wore a dress by Narciso Rodriguez in optic white nylon crepe, paired with a Michael Kors coat in white double face stretch wool.

And there we have it - American with just a dash of French, the latter perhaps a nod to her host nation. Mrs. O's sartorial savvy continues to delight!