Belle of the Ball
Thursday, December 10, 2009 at 2:12 PM 
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.
Alaia
Reader Comments (165)
Correction: the link brings the photo up in large mode. If you click on "Original" it will get really, really large, and give a very good, detailed view of everything.
I too love that last picture, as it shows off the incredible craftsmenship of the jacket, and is sweet as all get out. I also notice that in htis picture the dress doesn't look too long: no puddling on the floor but actually clearing by a bit. This, to my mind lends credence to the idea that either she changed her shoes for some reason or the bodice stretched.
Glad everyone is enjoying the new and last photo - I thought the back view of the head to toe ensemble was spectacular. Interesting, too, that from this view the dress doesn't appear to be too long.
Awww I love the the Obama's! I love that dress,that beautiful shapely silhouette, and that beautiful smile Pres. Obama is wearing while staring into her eyes . Bless them both!
Michelle does not look 45 at all. Look at that gorgeous skin and perfectly sculpted cheekbones. We're so proud of you Michelle!
Thanks Mrs. T for all the photos of this dress. You have covered it thoroughly! I find it interesting that it looks like a slightly different color in some of them. And the length. Maybe it tended to ride up a bit as she moved, and she smoothed it down which made it appear longer.
I GET IT!!!!!!! I JUST GOT SOMETHING ABOUT THE LENGTH OF THE DRESS!!!!!
Okay, hear me out!
So, I was looking at the wife of the Prime Minister and her gown was as long as Mrs. O. But, the fabric is light and flowing. I think that Mrs. O's gown is the right length but the fabric looks heavy, like when she walks the dress doesn't billow out. Therefore, she has to lift it up. Look, not all designs are created with wearability in mind. Not that the dress doesn't look wearable, but perhaps the weight of the gown at the bottom makes it a dress that one has to pick up. If the dress were any shorter, I don't think the movement and balance would be as lovely.
Just a thought!
Unfortunately, I do not thing the dress is flattering on her. Beautiful color though!
Ouch--one of the very few things she's worn that I don't like. Too much volume in the skirt coupled with a dropped waist is very unflattering on her figure. The skirt looks like a blanket.
so beautiful and nice party!
Now, I have to say that I don't adore the upper half of the evening dress. But I think that is more to do with MY preference for sharply tailored bodices, than it is to do with how Michelle looks in it. Because she looks ravishing. I much prefer the jacket over the top. That's fanTAStic. I love it. If the colour and cut were chosen as a nod to Norway in any way then that's very thoughtful. For myself, I think that's a bit of a stretch - Mrs O could have used a Norwegian designer for that - but if she DID.... then it's perfect. I wonder if it's called "The Fjord Jacket"??!
I LOVE the Coat and I LOVE the earrings, but I don't Love the Dress. while i do like the detail on the bodice and the straps. the colour was nice too but only when it looked more blue, or when we got that top shot of the dress and it looked kind of grayish. I really don't like the Middle of the dress. its that Contol top looking shimmery part at the waist that I don't think is flattering. when we get that side shot of them dancing the shimmery part kind of looks like the outline of thong panites. I think the dress would have been perfect if that part was taken out and the bottom fal of the dress started a little bit higher. Azzedine Ala could have taken that middle bit out or have not have made it so long.
Absolutely stunning!!
Lovely! Mrs. Obama just looks lovely. I also think she was especially beautiful in her interview with Oprah during the WhiteHouse Christmas special. THe White House itself never looked more beautiful. I am so proud to be an American.!! Merry Christmas Ya'll!
Mrs.O ist very fashionable, stylish, graceful, elegant and chic.
I love the view of her back.Very nice.