Thursday
Dec102009
A Vision in Gold
Thursday, December 10, 2009 at 11:37 AM 
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.
tagged Calvin Klein Collection, Nina Ricci
Calvin Klein Collection, Nina Ricci
Reader Comments (112)
marabout40 - thank you for your posts. You are so right.
Loved the 1st three outfits (leaving US, getting off the plane in Oslo, signing in ceremony) the gold is growing on me. When I saw the gold for the 1st time I was not loving it, however after seeing more pics I am starting to like it. I think she is one of the very view women who could carry that off. I don't think she out shined him at all. Whenever they're together people comment on what she is wearing anyway, (Ex. Inuaguration, State Dinner...) why would this time be different.
I'm not surprised she chose Calvin Klein as her first 7th Avenue giant to wear on official business as First Lady. She never usually picks the big fashion houses like De la Renta, Donna Karan, Carolina Herera, Ralph Lauren, etc. who are usually associated with past first ladies. However I seem to remember Francisco Costa, the designer at Calvin Klein, being invited to an event at the white house and honored among other innovators in science, technology, design, etc. I'm sure that visit played some kind of role in she and Ikram getting him to design an outfit for her. Also the trio of broaches look like the ones she wore with the Rodarte dress in Copenhagen. I see the broach trio at the neckline will become a signature look or Mrs.O.
I personally love this gold outfit, not because it is my favorite, but because of the way she wears it. Yes it stands out and could be deemed "loud" but you can see she is confident in her decision and loves what she is wearing. She's not afraid to make a statement with her clothing choices. She's just so fun to watch, hit or miss. My new Carrie Bradshaw fix.
As for the cardigan "dumbing" the outfit down, I really disagree. French Elle magazine recently named her the most stylish woman of the year (and caused some controversy because they chose Mrs.O over their very own first lady, Carla Bruni Sarkozy). They stated: "Mrs. Obama resembles no-one else. Her style is unique, and she encourages young designers." And about her cardigans they said: "She has succeeded in imposing the waisted cardigan as official dress." The French seem to love her unique use of the cardigan. It doesn't get any better than that IMHO.
Mrs. T, I know you have to deal with whichever photos you can get, but these photos don't do this beautiful ensemble any justice. And I suspect from your title and write-up you know I am right. The more and more I look at other photos of this ensemble the more and more I am falling in love with it! I think the photo with the entire royal family best showcases this outfit.
OMG! It is beautiful when you look at more pics, you will see what I see.
BTW, I just caught a glimpse of FLOTUS gown, I can see Im gonna love that too. Very lovely. It looks off-white, or a light colored gold, with dramatic pleated sleeves, and a large pleated collar. Can't wait to see the photos. I think the same earrings she wore for the state dinner.
@ o'Coutoure, I did do my best to choose the most flattering photos, which showed various angles and details of the ensemble. Please feel free to suggest others and I will see what I can do.If you link to the photo of the Obamas with the royal family, I will try to add it.
Lola, I'm not really computer savvy, but here's how I found the pics. Go to Yahoo.com. Click on IMAGES. Type in Michelle Obama. Enter. Click on the first photo you see under Recent Images. Go to the right hand side of screen and 'X" out the header. The pics will come up starting with the very latest download. There's probably an easier way, but I'm unfamiliar with how to provide links.
Actually... I'm not a big fan of the gold. Part of that comes from the camera/lighting affecting the color, but even with that taken out of consideration... I just don't like. Sorry!
@ o'Coutoure - Gown for what?!?! I thought they were heading straight back. We have more outfits! Need picture...sleeves and collar?
Mrs. O is the epitome of style and grace. Love the first 3 outfits, not that crazy about the gold/chartruese ensemble. I don't care for the material and the fit seems off. The material seems stiff and doesn't drape against her body that well. The fit seems less than flattering also. Case in point, there is definite creasing-pulling across the hips which makes it seem too snug across the hips and thighs. Then the coat, instead of seeming too snug, just seems to swallow her, obscuring her beautiful toned shape altogether. In summary, the material (regardless of color and sheen) is too stiff and unforgiving, no drape or give. The fit of the dress is too snug across the hips. The fit of the coat is entirely too big and voluminous. Would never have guessed this as a Calvin Klein design.
However, Mrs. O looks stunning and is able to transcend the occasional miss. Sending the first couple congratulations and am very proud of them and of our country.
Thank you, Camille. Your comments are measured and courteous and, therefore adds constructively to the conversation as opposed to 6th grade garbage like this:
"OMG I want to tear my eyes out!!! That gold coat is absolutely horrendous! My first thought was that someone went to sombody's grandmama's house, pulled the plastic cover off her "good" sofa and thought, "I'm gonna make a coat for Mrs. Obama out of this crappy 1960's couch! She's gonna LUVVV it!! And I'm recycling to boot!!" LMAO to keep from crying."
I know this fabric, having bought some in Italy a few years ago. It looks absolutely beautiful in person, feels great and I trust this outfit does. However, one of the problems with cut velvet is that it doesn't read well in photos. The velvet surface will repel light, making it look flat, while the silk around it reflects it and looks inordinately shiny. That's why this outfit might strike some people as "flashy" when in person, you'd get a better sense of the textures.
I love this one.
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//091210/481/0ce1417486d5462ca32197a68bcccd8d/#photoViewer=/091210/481/db580ad9dd964b47bf2d7dfb923a4be4
And here is the one with the royal family I really love
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//091210/481/0ce1417486d5462ca32197a68bcccd8d/#photoViewer=/091210/481/f856a97794f848adb035c927e7d3524b
I can tell with this ensemble, the lighting can make or break the photo. And as you can see, the Queen is in a SHINY red ensemble. lol
Mrs. T. - after the radiant dress for the state dinner, the purple for the Kennedy Center Honors, the gold ensemble for the actual Nobel Speech/Lecture was disappointing. I wonder if the gripping about Obama receiving the Nobel so soon may have influenced her decision to scale back/go with something more pedestrian. This was definitely not Calvin Klein's best effort.
The flight to Oslo and landing outfits were appropriate. The gray dress also appropriate.
No home runs this time. Three singles and a strike out.
Good thing - the belt was left at home.
Thank you for those insights, Ms. Carnegie!
First look of her gown! http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//091210/ids_photos_wl/r2934837338.jpg/#photoViewer=/091210/481/683fad862f7148c2903ee73fadce92e1
Regal is the word that comes to mind. I'm assuming what we're seeing is a jacket of sorts....I hope we get better pics soon.
What a horrible outfit. I'm not sure how she manages but for such important ocassions she chooses such horrible outfits.
Pics of the gala (this on the contrary I like!)
http://cache2.asset-cache.net/xc/94254187.jpg?v=1&c=NewsMaker&k=2&d=77BFBA49EF878921CC759DF4EBAC47D05D8A80A7AB4CD85F98DD1692432655FA252BC3C72345CA8D
Mrs. T-
There are new, and gorgeous photos of Mrs. O, in a possible grey looking number. Here is a link from yahoo, but I am sure you can find better pictures.
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//091210/ids_photos_wl/r2934837338.jpg/#photoViewer=/091210/481/683fad862f7148c2903ee73fadce92e1
Wow! I just saw a glimpse of her and POTUS and her earrings and what I saw of the gown looks fab-u-lous. She tripped up a bit but quickly recovered. Perhaps it's a floor-length gown. Can't wait to see photos!
Here's a link to a video of Pres and Mrs O on the way to and arriving at banquet.
http://www.politico.com/politico44/perm/1209/obamas_at_banquet_for_nobel_laureates_9d0d961b-c230-4f4a-be23-68ecb5a1a992.html
I wasn't feeling that outfit from the picture until I saw it on TV...it's a tad better, although I think her grey dress is a stunner.....so fashion avant gaurd
now for the gown...it's Faaaaaabulous!!
the end of this video shows a little of it
Mrs T. here is first look at Mrs. O's gown. I guess its more off-white. I'm sure you'll want a better picture than this, but you can really see the detailing here. The dress looks gothic/cathedral chic.
www.gettyimages.com/detail/94254169
I disagree with some of the statements about Michelle upstaging Barak. Most women, I would hope, generally upstage their husbands whenever they go out and dress for a big event. I don't think Barak is that shallow to worry about whether his wife's clothes will draw away from the important things that he's concentrating on for the U.S. and the rest of the world. Anyway, I think he's kinda In-Love with his wife. Look at the smile on his face whenever he's with her. Doesn't look worried to me. Finally she already accommodates by not working outside the white house, putting her career on hold, and wearing kitten heels in order to not tower over Barak. Can't a girl have a little fun!
Really loud choice of color, just like at the inauguration. Bad sheen under the flashbulbs as well. Cardigans are NOT formal enough for occasions like this - or meeting Queen Elizabeth. I wish she would stop making this mistake.
@ IVA The Nobel Prize banquet is going on as we speak. FLOTUS looks amazing once again. I really love this gothic chic going on with this gown.
Here we go! I was right! FAB-U-LOUS! http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Michelle-Obama/ss/events/pl/050108michelleobama#photoViewer=/091210/481/aa49a515f73f43acab5ce17997f72626
Her hair looks great too. Looks like a classic chignon close to her neck.
@PalGirl2008, THANKS, THANKS, and oh by the way, THANKS! This video just does it for me! I'm near tears just looking at my POTUS and his FLOTUS. Hey guys, go to Getty Images, there are quite a few full length shots of them. She's SMOKIN'!
Her hair looks beautiful - STUNNING. This is a very interesting gown. I like it for this occassion. I sat here for a second wondering what I'd wear to a Nobel banquet in Norway with the King and Queen and other dignataries, and came up blank. I didn't think the gowns she wore to the state dinner and Kennedy event were "flashy" enough, although I'm sure they would've been fine. I felt like this event required a little bit of drama, and she brought it with this gown.
I hope we get a simple picture of her posing in it, rather than walking and holding the bottom. Gosh I am just in awe of this whole event and how at ease they look, and then Mr. O's speech. I just re-read it and it is deep and honest. This whole situation and how they look and especially how well they've handled it has overwhelmed me with pride today.
The gold outfit is growing on me. I looked at other photos and the dress is not garish at all. She looks really lovely in it, and I love kitten heels so I'm all for them. Those photos of Mrs. O holding back tears brought a lump to my throat....
The grey dress is a stunner, IMO. It fits perfectly and has such exquisite draping.
The periwinkle coat ensemble was also great, and I love the way Mrs. O tied her scarf with such flair.
As to the updo, It really draws attention to her beautiful face.
All you regulars know my love for Mrs. O, but I just can't get behind this outfit. Normally I skip a post when there's something I really really don't like, but...
Although this was a nice gesture and I can see why Mrs. O is wearing it to this event, the coat sort of pushes it into "that's a lot o' look" territory. I think it's also surprisingly stuffy for a Francisco Costa design. I adore his work, but not this coat.
I'm sorry about double posting, but a theory crossed my mind: the colors of Mrs. O's Inauguration outfit and the Nobel ensemble are similar, as are the constructions. And, she wears the sweater and scarf to both events. Perhaps this is her way of saying that she is as proud of her husband for receiving the Nobel as she was of his election to the Presidency.
Maybe she is drawing a sartorial parallel between these two momentous occasions. If so, I like the idea.
Thanks for enlightening us on the fabric, Hattie Carnegie. There really are no two photos I have found that project the same color intensity of this outfit.
Mark - I want to compliment your courage and your honesty, and the humor with which you expressed yourself. I also think your comment is a great example of being able to react very negatively to an outfit, while remaining completely respectful of the First Lady. I think you're a refreshing addition to this site.
The coat and dress are stunning. The sweater, on the other hand, is frumpy.
Too loud, too much , bad choise, " mauvaise gout"!
This color is so horrible !
If she doesnt know what to wear in such occasion she could choice a white color! a simple white color!
I am so DISAPPOINTED!
the grey drapped dress was ok, fit for the occasion but again i have to mention the lilas dress! this is a new dress with strangedesign in it. Why not , she adore it but please the barearms ! again and again!! i dont understand why Mrs O wont listen to those who talked about her bare arms , i think there is a time and moment to show those beautifull, scuptural arms , then there is a moment where to cover them . With such event, she OUGHT to cover them for a while, just for a while!
Michelle looks GORGEOUS...M all of her outfits !!!!...Especially the grey charcoal dress...N the lavender coat with scarf...She brings soooo much youth to the white house....N to various other places....N might I say our prez is....Always looking debonair !!!!
@Willow: Thank you! Some may find my comment childish, but I feel like I have to express my true feelings, rather than cloak them in diplomatic language. We should all feel free to express our true feelings on this site, whether we love a certain outfit or not. I think Michelle Obama is a stunningly gorgeous woman, and usually I am wowed at the outfits she chooses and how they compliment and augment the natural beauty she radiates. However, in this circumstance, I am simply baffled at this choice.
I kind of like the dress with the sweater but it doesn't really fit or flatter. I wouldn;t say this is her best look..........especially now that I've seen the grey dress!
I think she should have lost the scarf with such a flashy coat. Maybe a pin or somthing would have been enough. It's too much. Maybe it's the lighting but it just seems to have way too much of a "wrapped in gold foil" look.
I want those shoes!!!!!!!
Congratulations President Barack Obama, well deserved. I got up early this morning to watch
and tape on my vcr, to add to my historical moments, home library.
CNN will show this in it's entirety tomorrow at 2:00 pm et. Great Great Great speech.
The entire ceremony was perfect. Mr. President, Master of Speeches. Love this moment
in history.
I find the outfits perfect! Mrs. Obama looks exquisite, chic, glamorous, elegant, happy and gorgeous.
A small comment, though.... with the exception of the cardigan over the gold lame or brocade dress -- all outfits were pure perfection. I do not why she used the cardigan (besides being cold....). It just does not match the elegance of the dress, in my estimatiion. But overall --- a SUPER 10!
The yellow wool lace outfit from the Inaugural parade would have been great for this occasion (and warm, too!) but perhaps that will never be worn again. I know the ball dress is destined for the Smithsonian; is the day outfit as well? Such a waste if so . . .
ChickaBOOMer: Michelle's Nobel Piece Surprise
http://chickaboomer.blogspot.com/2009/12/michelles-nobel-piece-surprise.html
I don't care who desgin it, I really hate it.
Mark, THANK YOU!
Marabout40 and IVA, I'm with you guys. It's amazing how they usual suspects all crawl out from their holes. Notice all the "new" unregistered commenters.
Marabout40 and IVA, I'm with you guys. It's amazing how the usual suspects all crawl out from their holes. Notice all the "new" unregistered commenters too.
I wanna modify earlier comments (thought it was too "much" yet somehow also stuffy). After seeing more pix & video, I now think the coat actually looks pretty cool matched next to the queen's shiny red suit and works for the occasion.
It looks so different in different light and I can now kind of appreciate that the coat has a bit of an "opera cape" cut.
Usually love her outfits, but hate that one ! Really not flattering her.
The silver/blue gown is lovely but it is just too long. I am picturing her looking all over the suite for her higher heels and then going off in what she could find. Either that, or a tailor made a mistake.
Either way, the dress puddles around her feet in the formal pictures. It's too bad because it truly is a lovely look for Mrs.O. I especially liked the beautiful jacket!
That's the way to go: When the outfit is so unsalvageable that even die-hard loyalists cannot in good faith praise it, then attack the dissenting commentators and single out so-called "trolls." Just lovely! That ploy is so tired by now. I know I am feeding into it by posting this, but sometimes the obvious need to be restated.
This dress does not photograph well. The flash on the camera is creating glare. On video via Larry King, the color was much more subdued and similar to her bronze heels.