Mrs. O Sparkles at Governors' Dinner
Sunday, February 22, 2009 at 3:33 PM 
Photo credit: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images Tonight the Os will welcome the National Governors Association to the White House, hosting their first black tie dinner at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. As we mentioned earlier this week, Earth, Wind & Fire is slated to play, which will surely make for a fun evening. From the White House press release:
"The White House is the place where our bond as Americans is strengthened," said Desiree Rogers, White House Social Secretary. "We look forward to welcoming the nation’s governors to celebrate our democratic ideals, our diversity, our shared values and the best of the American spirit."
We're curious to see how Mrs. O will interpret black tie attire at the White House - a cocktail dress or a formal evening gown? (Of note, the reference to "black tie" came from Lynn Sweet's very reliable column for the Chicago Sun Times.)
Update: This afternoon Mrs. O spoke with a group of culinary students from L'Academie de Cuisine in the White House kitchen before the Governors' Dinner. The Huffington Post has a slideshow here. The dress is a cocktail length cobalt blue gem from Jason Wu's Spring 2009 collection (runway image here). As many have already observed in the comments, the dress is quite similar to the white Jason Wu dress that Mrs. O wore for an interview with Barbara Walters in November. We imagine the materials and construction - raw silk with hand embroidered rosettes - are the same. Lynn Sweet at the Chicago Sun Times also has the scoop on the menu, china and flowers for tonight's event, which can be read here.
Update: Mrs. O has changed dresses! The First Lady is wearing a sequin, strapless gown by Peter Soronen paired with a dramatic multi-strand necklace of pearls and crystals by Tom Binns. The dress is the "twilight gown" from Peter Soronen's Fall Winter 2008 collection. As is Soronen's signature, the top part of dress is a corset, with a long bias skirt, all in sequins. The color, we're told, is actually a deep purple / ink blue. With her hair pulled up, our First Lady Mrs. O is the epitome of style and glamour this evening. The Huffington Post's "The Other Red Carpet" slideshow is a must see.
Jason Wu, Peter Soronen, Tom Binns in Outfits
Reader Comments (267)
First time I'm posting here and I'm speechless. She looks amazing and the president Handsome as ever. Love this couple!!!
WOW!!!!!!!
OMG!! Our First Lady looks GORGEOUS!!
I think that gunmetal color with shimmer is just stunning.
The Oscars have completely been upstaged as far as I am concerned.
The most glamorous, chic event this evening is not being held in LA, but in the Washington DC.
I am just floored and in awe over the First Couple's glittering presence tonight.
Perfection. Absolute stunning perfection.
The personification of the best of America, radiating youth, vigor, purpose, intelligence and style w/ capital S.
What I would give to be at one of those round tables tonight soaking up the ambience and glow of a new era.
Chicagoan, if I had to guess, I'd say the necklace is Tom Binns. I believe I've seen pieces of his that mix pearls and crystal similarly - but I'll try to confirm of course!
Okay, I'm just going to put this out there, amidst all the acclaim for the dress (which I REALLY like)...are the pearls too much? I'm willing to be told I'm wrong about this, but my first thought was, "that's a lotta pearl action going on up there." I didn't get that impression when I saw her sitting down, though. Set me straight, peeps!
Close-up of the necklace: http://www.daylife.com/photo/00tDa8k0uU4M3/Michelle_Obama
Someone commented on Gov. Sebelius' dress. I'd noticed her early in the evening and love that dress, too. Not only is it my favorite style (Grecian, ruching, etc) but it's also a lovely, unusual color. It suits her perfectly. I believe she had be short listed for the VP nomination, wasn't she? And now is up for Health Secretary? Should be another accomplished woman to watch...
Christina---I'll entertain your question. I'm not one for glitz--but I think this particular necklace is beautiful with this dress. Yes, it's a lot of pearl action--but it works so well with the dress. I'm sure of it!
at first i thought that the pearls were a bit much
now that i see the whole dress
and the color i think the pearls add a nice touch
she looks stunning
the hair and makeup are on point also
It's from Peter Soronen's Spring/Summer 2009 collection. If you go to his website: http://www.petersoronen.com/ and click on Collections, then Spring/Summer 2009, it's #17.
This dress is absolutely stunning on her, though I'm not sure I like so much jewelry about the neck.
The pearls are very Mrs O. I think it is her trademark style to accessorize in an unconventional way. Remember the black belt with the purple sheath dress! I love how she doesn't take the conventional route with her clothing and her accessories. It would be too cliched to wear that gown with a big sparking diamond necklace.
Christina,
I actually think that the necklace works perfectly with the dress. Because the dress has so much sparkle, anything smaller would've gotten lost and been pointless. I must admit that I probably wouldn't have ever thought to do something like that, but now that I see it, I think it's fantastic.
Wow, that was fast, Mrs. T!
Also, other than the button pearl earrings, the magnificent necklace is her only accessory. She did it right by wearing a single dramatic piece.
Plus, the gown sparkles while the pearls have a matt sheen to them - a play on light reflection and texture.
I wonder if the gown is less sparkly when it is not being photographed w/ flashes ? The sparkle may be played up due to the lighting from the cameras.
No everyone - who is the designer ???
Christina, I actually had the same thought about that jewelry. The dress is so gorgeous and a showstopper. I would love to have seen just a single strand that didn't take away from the silhouette and the shine. The necklace itself is beautiful though. I would like to see it again.
THANKS HYDE PARKER
you nailed it.
@RJT: HydeParker is correct; it's a Peter Soronen. And you're right about the necklace being a statement piece; it wouldn't work as well with just any neckline and, on this strapless dress, it also provides some extra 'coverage' that makes the dress even more elegant. Your insight on the reflection and texture is brilliant and so very true.
OH*MY*GOD
First words, literally, out of my mouth when I saw the picture. Sparkle done right. Drop dead exquisite, gorgeous, sexy, elegant, poised...Our First Lady.
I've really enjoyed reading everyone's posts....
I love everything I actually believe the jewelry brings out the dress!!!! She looks stunning
That is one beautiful silver gown, and in this particular pic shown here, the lighting brings out the glitter in all it's glory. The pearls show it to perfection.
What a handsome gorgeous couple. They showed up the Oscars IMO
Okay she is just fierce, I love the pearls w/ the diamonds mixed in, the hair up , the makeup, the dress, top 2 bottom I heart this look.
I wish I knew what lip colour she's wearing, were the same complextion so I would love to find it
Oh and I am 24 and TOTALLY envious of a 45 y.o. woman's arms
It's growing on me. And by no means am I thinking "ew, how hideous"...it's just that it draws the eye just a weensy bit. But that's totally a matter of taste, and I'm often wrong!
She's a tall woman, she can pull off larger jewelry pieces where I could not.
I love that gray (maybe it really is black but the sequins are gray?) The whole look is extremely classy -- a departure from jewel tones, but in a good way.
I'm greedy: I want to see more shots of Desiree Rogers and Valerie Jarrett, too.
Chicagoan - I was thinking about the 'coverage' angle of the necklace also.
What a chic way to remain somewhat demure, yes ?
Ooh yes! Good find Mrs. T.
(To anyone who wants to see this dress on the model, go to Mrs. T's link for the Soronen site, click on the Fall/Winter 2008 collection, and then scroll down once)
RJT - and what could be more demure than pearls?! Except, with true Mrs. O flair, it's got some sparkle to give it an edge.
These combinations of hers really are just stunning... you have to wonder if she just does this effortlessly, or if there is a LOT of planning and thought that goes into every outfit and accessory (by Ikram or anyone else)?
The dress looks better on the First Lady than it does the model. You need hips to pull off this type of dress.
thx Jenna 4 directions@Peter Sorenen site. I must say on the model the dress looks totally different. Michelle is wearing the dress, where on the model it's kinda hanging. Michelle's curves look fierce in that dress-makes me appreciate how good it can look even if not on a skinny 20 year old.
Go Michelle!
Mrs. O. is just gorgeous! Wow! Now, let us take a look at our POTUS; he is absolutely dashing! Old Hollywood glamour in the WH!
In this shot you can see Mrs. O's arms and they are WOOOOOW:
http://www.daylife.com/photo/051u0j74aScW2
I have to say, Mrs Os ensemble tonight is a more studied and perfectly coordinated formal look than her last 'gown event'.
Im sure she had more time to plan ahead for this evening and this is apparent.
This gown looks like it was actually fitted for her / on her.
It fits her like a dream and her necklace in tone and texture is a thoughtful component to complete her look.
I think jewelry combination looks fabulous with this gown. It balances the fitted shape of the Soronen gown. And, as others have stated, her arms and shoulders are stunning. Brilliant and beautiful! I just love it.
Side comment: I know my momma would just want to reach over and straighten every bowtie President Obama has ever worn, but I like them slightly askew. I'd like to imagine that he's just not so fussy about how he looks... (knowing full well that Reggie Love takes great care of everything that President Obama needs.)
They look great together!!!
Mrs. T - Is there any info about the shoes Michelle wore with this gorgeous ensemble?
oh my god.....they are stunning. our potus and flotus looks like something out of a magazine. jason wu has done it again.
loooooooooooooove it.
The look on Barack's face say it all. "look at my wife"
OMG!!! FIRE FIRE FIRE!! IM JUST SEEING THIS AFTER JUST FINISHED WATCHING THE OSCARS, AND WHAT A WASTE OF MY TIME WHEN OUR FIRST LADY WAS BUSY LOOKING SMOKING!!!
BEST LOOK BY EVER, BY FAR!!!
OMG IM SO CRUSHING ON OUR FIRST LADY RIGHT NOW!!! LOVE IT!!
I read the pool report, and it says the necklace looks like it is made of diamonds as well as pearls. From the first pics of her sitting down, I thought she looked stunning, but I was kinda iffy on the pearls. But after seeing the full look, I think the pearls are lovely. She chose one large piece to compliment a sparkly dress. Plus she's tall and has wider shoulders so she can pull off big chunky jewelry. It looks lovely.
And the dress photographs beautifully. Even if we're not getting the full effect of the sparkles, we're getting enough to say that the dress is sparkly. And, again, her hair and makeup are spot on.
Her look has been really put together as of late. Not an off outfit to be found.
OMG!!! Michelle wears the dress much better than the model thank god, I hope designers will start thinking about picking models with a little bit of meat on their bones.
You have to have hips to wear that dress. It's not very structured so you need a body to fill it out. Not a bad of bones! LOL
The dress is fab, and only Flotus could wear a necklace like that with it. Is there anything on the shoes? I'd love to see her in high-heeled sandals for a change. They both look regal and wonderfully happy though.
The photo of the President and First Lady is just breathtaking! They both look so elegant and happy. This dress and necklace may just be my favorite outfit yet!
P.S. to the haters: If you don't like the tone and spirit of this site, move on! There are plenty of others that will love your negativity. This site is a welcome respite from all of the problems in the news.
Wow. Michelle Obama is a beautiful woman.
omg, how can anyone be complaining about the pearls??!!
ITS BEST THING ABOUT THE OUTFIT....its so dramatic (as Mrs. O usually loves her accessories), and yet again, stands her apart from other first ladies (again solidyfying her style icon status)
IM ALL AFLUTTER RIGHT NOW!!! Im on a total high over this look!
ps: I agree with Jenna, oh how I wish she had worn this on inauguration day (I was one of those that was not a fan of her Jason Wu inauguration number)
but it matters not, because this just hits it out the ballpark!!
Mrs T., is there a brooch pinned on the end of the necklace?
oh i see its not jwu...ok still stunning. words can't say how gorgeous our fist couple looks. <333333333333333
I am blinded by their gorgeousness! They would have been the hottest couple at the Oscars. Real women have curves indeed!
I really really love her entire look. She looks gorgeous. Layo, I disagree about her wearing this to the inauguration, because that day was so historical and monumental, that any dress no matter how good would play second fiddle to it. Today was about them setting the tone for these events and for them to shine, so its the perfect occasion to hit it out of the ball park, which they both did, but Mrs. O especially.
Did I mention how much I love that dress on her? Superb, magnifique, gorgeous, fantastic...There are not enough superlatives to describe how she looks and then as a couple...just WOW. They look like they're going to the Oscars and everybody else is going to a regular formal affair at the Whitehouse.
@ S.Lauren, I think too there is a brooch pinned on the top of her dress 4 complete the necklace. It's not the same brooch that one on inauguration's dress but another. Elle est tout simplement magnifique, à couper le souffle !
Getting back to Michelle's kitchen tour for the culinary students - here's a link to the full 25 minutes in the kitchen:
http://cspan.org/Watch/watch.aspx?MediaId=HP-A-15719
They were,without question, the best looking couple there. And Michelle was best dressed. All those other women are so drab and boring looking. She glowed!