Must Read: Designing Woman

I enjoyed this Washington Post piece on designer Katie Ermilio and thought you might too. In 2008, the then 22-year-old submitted a sketch for Mrs. O's inaugural ball gown to a Washington Post reader contest. Robin Givhan, the former Washington Post fashion critic, declared Ermilio's design the winner. Since then, Ermilio has developed as a young designer, launching her eponymous line, Katie Ermilio, which has received early praise from Marie Claire and Lucky magazines. She is certainly one to watch in the fashion sphere, with an interesting tie to Mrs. O's style story no less. A contender for January 2013 perhaps? Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!

"Designing Woman: Katie Ermilio" [Washington Post]

Honoring US Army Specialist Sabo

The President and First Lady shared a moment with Rose Mary Sabo-Brown following a ceremony to posthumously honor her late husband, US Army Specialist Leslie H. Sabo, Jr., with the Medal of Honor on Wednesday. For the occasion, Mrs. O wore a crimson pleated georgette crewneck dress by Michael Kors, previously seen here, paired with a red belt at the waist.

"Ellwood City solider Sabo receives posthumous Medal of Honor" [Pittsburgh Post Gazette]

P.S. Another touching moment and the White House photo of the day.

Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

Back to Basics

It's been a sport-centric week for the First Lady thus far. Yesterday, Mrs. O addressed athletes from Team USA at a press conference held in Dallas, Texas. Today, she was back to the White House to host a Let's Move event honoring the LA Galaxy.

On the style front, black and white appears to be the palette du jour. Mrs. O paired an oversized flower pin with a striped top, blazer and white trousers (not shown) in Dallas. For today's White House event, Mrs. O wore her signature Alaia belt in white with a Moschino bow blouse and black trousers.

Update: Reader Elizabeth identifies Mrs. O's blazer as Moschino, available here.

President Obama at Barnard College

"Until there are women who tell her, ignore our pop culture obsession over beauty and fashion — and focus instead on studying and inventing and competing and leading, she’ll think those are the only things that girls are supposed to care about. Now, Michelle will say, nothing wrong with caring about it a little bit. You can be stylish and powerful, too. That’s Michelle’s advice."

President Barack Obama, Barnard College, May 14, 2012

[Washington Post]

Mother's Day Cheer

Yellow was the color du jour at the Mother's Day Joining Forces event held in the State Dining Room of the White House yesterday. The First Lady and Dr. Biden met with children from military families as they created Mother's Day cards and other crafts. Both women donned yellow, as Mrs. O re-wore a Rachel Roy frock, previously seen here.

Festivities continued beyond the White House. Joined by spouses of members of Congress, the ladies later gathered at the Naval Observatory to assemble Mother's Day packages that deployed US troops have requested to be sent to their mothers and wives at home. For her more casual look, Mrs. O wore a Sonia By Sonia Rykiel knit top and cardigan. A banner day for Joining Forces!

P.S. The pup below is the Biden family dog, Champ.