Homeward Bound

Image by Scanpix Norway / Reuters

The president and first lady left Oslo, Norway this morning to return to Washington, DC. 

Of note is Mrs. O's choice of suit, the camel and black Narciso Rodriguez ensemble worn during the inauguration for the "We Are One" concert. Several pieces first and last seen during the inauguration have been reintroduced in the past few days by the first lady, perhaps signaling the significance of the occasion.

Belle of the Ball

Image by Jewel Samad / Getty Images

Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton

Image by Lise Aserud / AP Photos

Image by Chris Jackson / Getty Images

Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

Dear Monsieur Alaia,

Please give us a sign if the beautiful gown and jacket the first lady is wearing are your creation. The craftsmanship is exquisite.

Best,

Mrs. T & Friends

Update #1: Please have a peek at this image from the Alaia Spring 2010 collection via Red Carpet Fashion Awards. Though there wasn't much question, this is almost certainly the work of Azzedine Alaia.

The more we admire this ensemble, the more we feel in awe. From the finely articulated ribbons of beadwork to the trademark Alaia ruching through the skirt, it is an absolute inspiration. It is the kind of craftsmanship that seems of another era.

As has been observed in the comments, the choice of silver blue, a new color for the first lady, does seem thoughtfully chosen for the Nordic locale.

A fabulous analysis from reader Mark:

"I'm speechless. She looks incredibly beautiful here! I feel like this dress and the jacket she was wearing with it are so perfect for Norway. I've never been there, but I've always had this sort of fairytale image in my mind of Norway. An ice-crystal and snow flake wonderland. Princesses living in palaces carved of ice. Clear, crisp nights with the smell of snow and ice in the air .... That dress, and the way she looks in it, is the embodiment of that image. What a fabulous look, and what a wonderful gesture to her Norwegian hosts."

Update #2: Our tremendous thanks to Jessica Michault, Online Style Editor for the International Herald Tribune, for confirming that indeed, Azzedine Alaia is the designer behind Mrs. O's dress and jacket.

A Vision in Gold

Images by REUTERS/Scanpix Norway and Daniel Sannum Lauten/Getty Images

At the Royal Castle in Oslo, Norway, just before the president will accept the Nobel Peace Prize, the first lady is an absolute vision in gold. Mrs. O paired her vibrant chartreuse dress and coat with a soft yellow cardigan by Nina Ricci. The same cardigan was also worn for the inauguration.

Update: Mrs. O wears a Calvin Klein Collection dress and coat. The sulfite laser cut velvet dress and jacket are from the Fall 2009 Calvin Klein Collection designed by Francisco Costa, the Women's Creative Director.  

Beautifully Draped

Images by REUTERS/Scanpix Norway

Mrs. O chose a beautifully draped grey dress with a small floral pin at the shoulder as she and the president participated in the Nobel Prize Signing Ceremony at the Norwegian Nobel Institute in Oslo, Norway this morning.

Update: We've learned from one of our favorite sites, Red Carpet Fashion Awards, that First Lady Mrs. O wears a Lanvin dress, as seen here.

Off to Oslo

Image by Jewel Samad / Getty Images

The president and first lady are off to Oslo, Norway where the president will receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

For her overnight travel, Mrs. O has paired a cropped Alaia jacket (last seen in Prague) with black pants and boots. A red scarf adds a splash of color.

Image by Jewel Samad / Getty Images

Landing in Oslo, Mrs. O has changed ensembles, wearing a custom-made, lavender coat by Narciso Rodriguez with a coordinating lilac scarf and purple leather gloves. This combination is the same that the first lady wore during the inauguration, for a ceremony at Arlington Cemetery.