National Prayer Breakfast (Updated)
Thursday, February 5, 2009 at 10:59 AM On Thursday, First Lady Mrs. O attended the annual National Prayer Breakfast, where President Mr. O introduced the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Listening intently, Mrs. O looked polished, poised, and well, very First Lady-like. Wearing a v-neck royal blue dress with clean lines, a black band at the waist and seams through the skirt, the design seemed to reflect several trademarks of Narciso Rodriguez. However, we haven't been able to confirm the designer. It could be a Narciso Rodriguez design from several seasons past, tucked away in Mrs. O's closet and revisited for this occasion. Or perhaps it's of another origin all together, thereby officially earning "mystery dress" status. Any light that can be shed would be greatly appreciated.
In the realm of polished touches, Mrs. O's coiffed hair and bolder makeup add a definite finish to the look. Also note the single strand of more traditional pearls that Mrs. O wore here and throughout the week. Additional images of First Lady Mrs. O at the National Prayer Breakfast here and here.
Update: We're told that Mrs. O's dress is in fact Proenza Schouler - a label we've not heard associated with the First Lady's wardrobe before. Certainly though, the design duo of Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough will make for an exciting new addition to Mrs. O's style repetoire. Upon hearing this news, we immediately thought back to a quote from the New York Observer. As an Observer reporter chatted with Narciso Rodriguez about Mrs. O's election night dress in November, "...the young designers of Proenza Schouler approached Mr. Rodriguez. 'Did you see Michelle Obama in his dress?' cried Lazaro Hernandez. 'Really major!'" And now it seems, the same should be said of Proenza Schouler. Brilliant!
Narciso Rodriguez, Proenza Schouler in Outfits
Reader Comments (84)
Gloria5 your comment about Mrs O looking as if she stepped out of the lead role in a Hitchcock film is so perfect ! That is such a rite-on fantastic observation and so true !
The clean elegant lines of an Edith Head design from Marnie, North by Northwest, or The Birds. The perfect hair. The minimal accessories,
As for Mrs O not wearing 'winter dresses' - for years now fashionable women have been dressing non-season specific. This is especially true in NYC where in winter while of course a woman will have a coat on she may be sporting bare legs and heels. Or underneath that coat a thin dress w/ boots. Or a very short skirt w/ tights and ankle boots and short fur chubby, Here in LA it is common to see women w/ cut off shorts and tall leather boots, or boots w/ floaty thin dresses. Or halter top w/ scarves. Or heavy sweaters w/ short skirts and bare legs.
Except for obvious outer wear, the notion of dressing head to toe for a particular season is very dated.
why does she look so angry most of the time...she may need to get a botox. PR wise her pictures are not good at all. Most of them either she is too serious or angry looking!!
Here they come...Nancy the bitter PUMA!
Nancy, Michelle doesn't need Botox. She doesn't need even a single thing. She's a beautiful woman, inside and out, which is why so many millions of people admire her.
I think she looked stunning in that dress today. Though count me among those crossing their fingers that the new hair dresser learns the ropes soon! Her hair just has not been the same since after the Inauguration. But she still looked lovely.
i cant get enough of her in classic looks. btw, she does not look angry to me. i like a natural face...very sincere looking :). women have emotions. michelle is a real woman i appreciate.
I think the lipstick color she is wearing looks absolutely fabulous on her and I hope she keeps wearing it or similar colors. Sometimes, such as yesterday, her lip color is too light, which makes her look even more tired than I am sure she really is...I know if I had her schedule, I would be exhausted. Spot-on comment re: the Palins....LOL!
The dress color is so flattering to her skin tone and the bigger hair has a kind of softening effect. Good to see her in color again- she's been wearing a lot of black lately, and that gray yesterday hhmmm
I love this site and look forward to checking it out every day, even several times!! Dare I say I'm addicted to the daily dress/outfits, the great comments, even the psycho, whiny witches as they precipitate such fun responses, they really make my day though, they can become tiresome in volume!!
Anyway, the first lady is fab, and is always well groomed and looks terrific. I agree her hair is usually the variable but in this shot, I love it! Sexy!! The whole look is wonderful, great blue dress, beautiful makeup/lipstick for a change and I don't get the angry thing. I get more of a serious, game face take. She is a very intelligent,pensive and serious person not given to what we are used to; the subservient first lady permanent, pasted on smile.
I Just love the first family and can't wait to see what our beautiful first lady has on today!!!
Another example of Mrs. O mixing it up and surprising us...the blue dress and perfect hair are a very "couture" look. Tomorrow, she'll be more modern in slacks and a cardigan. You cannot typecast this lady and assign her one particular style.
As for her so-called "angry" look: we are all so used to a traditional, make-no-waves First Lady (Mrs. Bush) that seeing Mrs. O engaged and involved in high-level conversation and thought seems unusual to us. That's not anger--that's concentration, concern, and depth of thought.
In reference to Mrs. O's anger look, she has natural defined high arched brows, so it appears she's angry at times, even when she's not. Love her fashion choice yesterday. Super dress!
She doesn't look angry-she's looking serious and thoughtful there. If that were a man he'd be said to be looking serious. Michelle is like a lot of people who when not smiling may strike people as serious/angry who aren't inclined to like her anyway. I can assure you she was very happy to be there and very proud of her husband in this talk. Watch when they kiss afterwards and she gives this beautiful smile. People really need to stop being so prejudicial against her and try to get to know her unique personality. She's a very warm person.
Just passing along a great Op-Ed about Mrs. O...
http://media.www.dailycampus.com/media/storage/paper340/news/2009/02/06/Commentary/Michelle.Obama.The.New.Jackie.O.Not.So.Fast-3617323.shtml
I too wonder if she's worn any Maria Pinto since the inauguration. I did hear the president say that they would be bringing Ms. Pinto with them to the White House - I don't know that he was serious - but it seems odd that Mrs. O hasn't worn any Pinto designs in a while.
I love Michelle's style and hopes that she continues to mix high and low fashion. As for the hair, we all have good and bad days. It's especially hard to keep a decent hairdo when you workout often - I know that from personal experience.
It looks to me like the mascara is a little heavy. I wish she wouldn't wear makeup - she's so beautiful without it.
davsoko1 - I think you are misinterpreting the point. Due to the structure of her brows gives 'reason' to why some may "think" she looks angry. Never implied that she was angry or even unhappy. As an Obama supporter, this issue has nothing to do with liking her or not.
the "structure" of her brows????? What does that mean? Would the structure of her brows be considered a way to prejudge her without first getting to know her personality in several settings first? Look at her expressions in the Oval Office at happy bill signings. She also has serious expressions at the recent agency visits-was she angry there too??? I think we're nearing that "meme" that hits certain women and it's unfair. Again, look at the totality of her expressions during this event. She was hardly angry. There ar e shots of Obama looking serious and thoughtful during Blair's remarks-was he "looking angry" too?
The "looking angry" comment is just something black women in this country have to deal with constantly.If she was white I doubt this would be an issue!
@ Marla - Mrs. O wore a Maria Pinto dress for lunch with Washington D.C. mayor Adrian Fenty last week - with that fabulous J.Crew coat.
http://www.mrs-o.org/?p=3476
Thanks Mrs. T!
RJT:
I work in NYC. With temperatures in the teens, I have yet to see someone with "bare legs". I see a "few" people with short sleeves on. These people happen to be younger and starting out in their careers. I chaulk that up to they don't have the necessary funds to spend on "winter" clothes and pay the high rents in NYC so they just wear what they have. Sporting "bare legs" in teen weather says to me that you didn't have money to purchase stockings. Again, I have yet to see anyone in this weather with short sleeves.
I am not understanding this trend and don't think that it is "fashionable".
I don't think that this is a trend and I do not understand it all.
So, if Mrs. O is listening closely to a speaker without a grin on her face, she's angry. Maybe she's angry at being married to the guy who's now President, having to live in The White House and the opportunity of a lifetime to promote the change that they both believe in for our wonderful country.
LADIES
Let's try to bring manners back to the national discourse. We have gotten so mean and petty. Why can't we just have fun on this blog. Whatever happened to that great line our mothers always repeated..."IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING NICE TO SAY...SAY NOTHING AT ALL"
Regards,
"Looking angry" is an issue for white women, too. You might be contemplating a passage of poetry or you might be watching your child play and have an epiphany of "time/childhood through the ages" or you might be in mourning...whatever, when you wear a serious expression, some people will ask why you are looking so angry. Some people seem keen on wanting only to laugh and to have people around them who make them laugh--perhaps they should hire buffoons.
Allegra - my point taken. That's all I was trying to explain...a facial expression does not always define your state of mind. Mrs. O's natural expressions may give some the impression that she is angry when she's actually not. Personally, I didn't think she looked angry but some may have.
Again, loved that dress she wore yesterday!!
Michelle and Barack have date night tonight at the Kennedy Center. It will be fun to see what she wears.
Lovely, makes me want to head over to the Kennedy Center to try and sneak a peek :-) The Kennedy Center is a venue that hosts various events so the options are wide and peaks my interest.
The Obamas possess style, grace, compassion, and two serious intellects. Let's all be grateful that we have two such people in our White House. Michelle shows charm and wit the way she puts her outfits together. Three broaches at once? Genius!
Nancy, Mrs. O isn't angry. She's THINKING. Remember that? You must have had rational thoughts at some point in your life!
Posh Tater, LOL over the Republic Playpen comment. How right you are. About everything. Thanks for saying it all so well.
This blue dress is gorgeous, as is Mrs. O's makeup and hair. Whoever said her hair looks matronly is wrong. It looks beautiful, as she is, both inside and out.
Go, Michelle!
Pat from Houston
Someone commented on Michelle's warmth and many expressions. I thought you may like this pictorial:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/galleries/michelle_obama_hugs_it_out/michelle_obama_hugs_it_out.html#ph0
I really love the dress Mrs. o is wearing. She looks fantastic.
lovely, lovely, lovely!
lovely lovely hair. way better than dept of education.
I agree with earlier comments/the article: the stronger make-up or rather, richer crimson lipstick shades, really make her shine.
On another note, Mrs.O has turned me into a brooch fan (the latest, pictured in the Kennedy center entry is STUNNING).
What a wonderful way to show American style! Or, wait, is it China we are supporting here, J Crew, etc... MADE IN CHINA!!?? USA pride is not even in the first lady :(