Anticipation Builds
Sunday, November 22, 2009 at 8:19 PM The Os will host their first state dinner on Tuesday, honoring India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife, Gursharan Kaur. In Washington, the event is being considered as, "the biggest social occasion since the inauguration." It will be a wonderful opportunity to see the first lady in a stunning evening gown, but also a chance to observe how the Os host an event. We imagine every nuanced detail of the dinner and decor has been thoroughly thought through.
We enjoyed Robin Givhan's musings on state dinner fashion etiquette for the Washington Post, here, not to mention the video above, which we believe features Politico reporter Nia-Malika Henderson (thanks Ari, for the link). The Huffington Post has a fantastic retrospective look at state dinner fashion of past, here. Food enthusiasts will enjoy this video featuring Kiki Ryan of Politico and former White House chef Walter Scheib, discussing potential menu considerations.
What would you like to see Mrs. O wear? And might there be a nod to Indian culture in Mrs. O's ensemble? We have our fingers crossed for another Peter Soronen stunner.
As a bit of inspiration, we will close with one of our favorite photos of Jacqueline Kennedy, dressed in pink for a dinner to honor the French Minister of Cultural Affairs, Andre Malraux, in 1962.
Image via John F. Kennedy Library / Public Domain
Reader Comments (43)
Now, that was a informative and quite interesting video. I would've said that our Michelle would look great in something white, but seeing what that color means to that culture you know it won't be a white gown. That Peter Soronen number was hot,and don't get me started about that cascade of pearls! It's like Christmas Eve for a child...waiting with breath that is bated!
I disagree about the faux jewelry advice -- if you don't wear the real stuff (and I mean REAL real!) to a White House State Dinner -- where (or when?) would you ever wear it? Mrs. Kennedy, after all, borrowed bijoux from Van Cleef and Arpels when she was in the White House. And why would you wear real, major jewelry to the Oscars (for example) and not a State Dinner?
If it were me -- and please god, I get to attend a State Dinner before I depart this earth (!) -- I would borrow something from Van Cleef or James de Givenchy (Hubert's nephew) who designs some beautiful things.
Also, I used to live in DC and the level of stylishness was kind of meh. But when I went to the WH Correspondent Dinner this Spring, I found the level considerably upgraded. I think it must be the influence of the Obama crew -- gorgeous gowns, major, major jewerly and beautiful hair and makeup. Everyone made a real effort, so I can't wait to see what they do for a State Dinner.
I predict she will wear either red, purple or a bright pink. Mrs.O often wears these colors anyway and they seem to be the top three perfect choices in honor of India's culture. I hope she wears a gown by another designer besides the three she already has, Jason Wu, Michael Kors (twice) and Peter Soronen. Thakoon would be an interesting choice, however I don't recall him designing many gowns in his collections. Rodarte, Narciso Rodriguez, Issac Mizrahi, maybe even Proenza Schouler would be great choices from her roster of American designers she favors. Perhaps she'll choose a whole new designer we've never seen her wear before.
I read somewhere ( I believe it was a Robin Givhan article discussing Mrs.O) that the Jason Wu gown Mrs.O wore to the inauguration was likely not the only gown created for her as a contender for that evening. It is likely that Ikram commissioned many different designers to create gowns for her and she likely kept a few for a later event, like this weeks state dinner.
I can't wait to see what she chooses for that evening. I hear C-Span will be broadcasting footage of the event. I swear since the Obama's have come into the White House I have never been so excited to tune into C-Span.
Oh Mrs T, love you but no michelle obama do not wear anything that lady had in the video, no wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!! Tell Mrs O I will come protest her, if she wears anything that lady picked out ha ha ha. Just kidding...
I am not sure how i feel about Jackie's pink dress, but i liked the yellow and black with the belt.
@briana I agree with you, but I did love Ms. Guen's enthusiasm and definitive opinions!
Oh, I can't wait! She always does evening wear so fantastically.
I kind of like Jackie's pink dress and full length gloves.
By any chance, does anyone know what time this will be broadcast on C-Span? I'd sure like to record it.
Here is an article from the Times of India that describes the shamiana (tent) which is being erected to hold the 400 guests (the State Dining Room accommodates only 140), the chef who is coming in from Aquavit in NYC, many details. BTW, the prime minister is said to be "an abstemious vegetarian".
State dinner for Manmohan on White House lawn
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/State-dinner-for-Manmohan-on-White-House-lawn/articleshow/5245949.cms
Since the floral arrangements for the State dinner are also very important, I found another video from politico.com where former White House florist Nancy Clarke describes what goes into the arrangements and some of Mrs.O and past first ladies favorite flowers here .
There is also some information and a video about the White House's new florist, Laura Dowling, who says she often takes inspiration for her floral arrangements from nature and even fashion trends here . A White House florist who takes cue's from fashion sounds very cool and modern. Can't wait to see the floral arrangements.
Interesting info on The East Wing Rules website about all the detailed planning by Michelle Obama and the White House staff for this event - "Yet, it is Michelle Obama who is going to hold the spotlight as she chooses, flatware, table coverings, floral design, china patterns, glassware, the menu(s), entertainment and music, seating arrangements, invitations for teas, luncheons and the attendees for the historic first state dinner on November 24th while choosing a never before seen fully formal gown to be discussed for eternity."
First State Dinner
can't wait.
It sounds like a minefield. So many written and unwritten "rules."
I just hope Mrs. O has some fun with it!
I would love to see Michelle in a red evening gown, I never tire of seeing her in that colour.
A SURREAL EXISTENCE
I'm imagining myself being in the First Lady's shoes - if only for a moment, and can't help but think how much it could feel like Alice going down the rabbit hole!
An event like this could make a girl's head spin - the hauntingly silky smell of red wine, or the aching sweetness of truffles...Then there are the political and satirical issues, that if overlooked or underplayed could be devastating for "hallowed" White House tradition!
Needless to say, it is my firm belief that Mrs. Obama will be crossing all her t's and dotting her i's (and look like a million dollars doing it). Lights, camera, action!
Please dont wear Jason Wu. Color please. Red. Orange. Purple. No belts!
MRS O WILL BE WEARING A NICE DRESS BUT YOU NEVER KNOW SHE MIGHT WEAR PANTS. WHEN THEY HAD THEY FRIST DINNER HER DRESS WAS NICE AND IT WAS LONG SIVER HER HAIR WAS IN A SLIDE BUM AND SHE WEAR LOTS AND LOTS OF PEARLS. DIDNT SEE HER SHOES BECOUSE HER GROWN WAS LONG AND THEY DANCED ALMOST ALL NIGHT. I UNDERSTAND THAT SHE IS ABOUT THREE MOTHES ALONG? THEN AGIAN YOU NEVER KNOW SHE STILL YOUNG.
Red is for purity in India - the color worn by brides. Yellow in India is the color for merchants. Purple means mourning (widows wear it) in Thailand. Lots of rules to deal with.
I read that blue is considered the safest color to wear, internationally.
We'll see.
Purple is also a mourning colour in the Anglica church, hence why priests wear purple robes during lent but I can't lie, I would love to see Michelle in a rich purple evening gown as my second choice but I'm still sticking with red. She will "shut it down" if she enters the room in red. I hope everything goes okay tomorrow night.
She'll hit it out of the park. I think she should leave the young designers and go for Michael Kors. Everything she's worn of his has fit her to a tee and looked perfect on her and he knows evening wear. Jason Wu and Thakoon are not on his level, so I hope she really goes for the all out glamour. Also, no black or white. I'd love to see her do more color in her evening wear as she does in her day wear.
I see her in a bright tangerine or a bright pink. And I do think she should show off her arms. But the fact is, as long as the fit and the color is nice, it's going to look good on her.
Sorry I dont get C-Span. I will check with a couple of friends who may have it
and ask for a copy. I really want to see this.
i can't wait to see what she wears, i'm sure she'll look amazing. unlike others though, i hope she doesn't wear bright pink or red, because as i saw it put somewhere "when it comes to saris & indian style, wearing those vibrant colors is the equivalent of wearing navy blue/black over here." i'd love to see mrs. o in something jewel toned, maybe a beautiful green or deep purple tone, or for a very out there choice i'd like to see her in something gray.
i hope she stays away from sleeves, there's no need to hide those fabulous arms in the type of ball gown that's designed for women far older than she is, maybe a cap sleeve or off the shoulder look would be nice. i also hope she goes with a designer we haven't seen her in yet, something surprising; or barring that i hope she wears her hometown girl maria pinto.
as for jackie's pink dress, not a fan at all, it looks like a bad prom dress; i liked a lot of her other choices though.
Maybe this is not too OT, but Bill Cunningham, the New York Times street photographer, has a wonderful audio slideshow this week on color in fashion. Especially lovely to see on a dreary November day.
http://video.nytimes.com/video/playlist/style/1194811622321/index.html
Look for video "On the Street: Hues." You can enlarge it to full screen.
BTW, Jackie K looks absolutely beautiful in that gown. It's a shame she is no longer with us. With Michelle having a lot in common with Jackie K when she entered the White House, I could see Mrs Kennedy and Mrs Obama bonding over tea at the White House.
@desertwind - I'm so glad you sent that link. I'd seen the article in the Times yesterday and had to chuckle about all the outrage we'd heard about Mrs. O's lilac outfit last week. Turns out, lilac - which is now amethyst, thank you very much - is THE big color this fall. I especially loved the picture of the woman in the green skirt, lavendar blouse and navy cardigan. I can see MO in that kind of combination - which would surely generate much discussion.
Mrs. T - Thanks for the great links on past State Dinners and fashions. I thought I knew every thread Jackie Kennedy ever wore, but I'd never seen that sleeveless white dress with the sheer bodice. Beautiful. I also thought Hillary looked really lovely in several of her dresses.
I'm betting on bright pink tomorrow night, perhaps incorporating something in the design or fabrication that would be a subtle nod to the culture of the guests of honor. Mrs. O is very thoughtful that way.
I hope the Prime Minister of India and Mrs. Singh will gift Mrs. O a Beautiful Saree on their visit. :) Or if Mrs O wants to surprise us then she perhaps will wear something designed by an Indian fashion designer, an outfit that has Indian fabrics and designs. Wouldn't that be fabulous? India has had quite an influence in Western Fashion and we see many Western designers creating beautiful outfits with India as their inspiration such as Alexander Mcqueen, Marchesa etc. I think the majority of textile, fabrics used in western clothes originate from India as well.
I heard President Obama loves Indian food and is very familiar with Indian Culture. In fact throughout his presidential campaign he carried a samll pendant of the Indian Deity HANUMAN as a good luck charm and it worked indeed! :) Having spent part of his life in Indonesia that inhabits a lot of Indian origin people, President Obama knows the Indian Culture quite well and what could be better than to host his first State Dinner for a Diginitary of a country he highly regards as a great friend of the US!
Can't wait to see Mrs. O in her first state dinner!!!
Mrs. T,
Let's do the Guessing Game on Colors of Mrs. O's outfit tomorrow!
It WON'T be WHITE.
I'm guessing it might be either Red or Blue
I'm on the purple train! I would love to see lilac.
I hope it's an evening gown influenced by India a little but not to the point of being a real Indian costume. Bright color for sure.
I sure would like to see FLOTUS in pink, maybe with gold or red embroidery. She wears colors well.
I'm also on the purple train! Maybe a bright purple that complements her skin tone, almost like the shade she wore when Obama won the democratic nomination. We haven't seen her in that color for a gown yet and I think it could become her signature color.
I also found some beautiful photo's of Jackqueline Kennedy during other State dinners and events. There's even a photo of her and President Kennedy leaving a play which brought back to mind Mrs.O in that beautiful Alaia dress for their date night in New York. Here they are .
Jackie K's dress is too prom like for me. However, Jackie looks beautiful in the photo. I want FLOTUS in a BRIGHT color, and a unique dress. I hope she does not play it safe with dark colors. Also, she wore an cute sleeveless dress today at the RFK event at the White House. FLOTUS will be on about every 2-3 hours in the early morning on the white house live stream. She is doing about two events before the state dinner. Rashmi, Ikram probably did pull south Asian designer dresses. POTUS and FLOTUS both respect other cultures, so it would be cool if she wore an Indian type dress.
Me! Me! Pick me!
Okay, I'm guessing Mrs. Obama will wear something golden yellow, maybe in a jewel tone or brocade to give it that ethnic look...Not to mention the fact that it will look smashing against her skin!
Can I get one more vote? I was thinking chartreuse that ombres into different shades of green. (Now that will have critics hyper-ventilating), but seriously, it could be sharp.
I misread BeeGee's comment about purple, and thought it was the color for mourning in India. But she was speaking of Thailand.
So . . . I will happily abandon the bright pink train and get on the one with the lilac color theme! Whatever the shade, I'm still hoping for a detail in the fabric or design that speaks to the nationality of the guests of honor. India has such an exhuberant sense of color and movement - it seems like it would be irresistible to Mrs. O.
I like that Charlene, whatever she wears people will hate. I just want the dress to be different and her style.
Also, it seems like FLOTUS might choose an Indian designer. This article states that Ikram/staff asked for Indian designers to submit dresses.http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/blogs/yeas-and-nays/We_re-so-sari_-Indian-American-designer-hopes-first-lady-will-choose-his-dress-for-state-dinner-8578106-71953302.html
Ari - thanks for the link on even more of Jacqueline Kennedy's fabulous clothes. She really was - and is - the standard bearer for elegance. It always floors me when I remember in 1961 and 62, when these events were happening, she was 32 years old.
You already know I am on the purple train!! Whether it is lilac or jewel tone, I will love it!!
I'm sure whatever Mrs Obama decides to wear, she'll be exquisite in. She's a warm and lovely hostess and I hope they have a great time.
Lorns: You can watch C-SPAN online or livestream the event on the White house website.
LOL Briana, I so agree with you!!
Rashmi: You're right, I've seen Elizabeth Hurley in some really stunning Indian inspired outfits.
Operafanatic, I had exactly the same thought about how YOUNG Jackie Kennedy was when they were in the White House. It is hard to imagine doing the job of First Lady at any age, but at 32?? She certainly pulled it off! This pink dress is not my favorite of her amazing evening wear wardrobe, but I love this photo -- with everyone else looking adoringly at her. There really has not been anyone to compare to Jackie ... until now!
Funnily enough I was looking at a photo of this hair ornament of Jackie's the other day. I've got a lovely book of tiara's and it gets a brief mention. I'll try and find the write-up when I get home, see if there was anything particularly interesting to report.
Posh, I think I have read that Jackie had a diamond sunburst brooch that she sometimes wore as a hair ornament -- could that be what she's wearing here? I'd love to know more about it, whatever it is -- I'm a huge Jackie fan as you can tell. Also, a huge Michelle Obama fan!