Sunday
May102009
A Vision in Magenta
Sunday, May 10, 2009 at 12:22 AM 
Photo by Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
Mrs. O attended the White House Correspondents Dinner this evening wearing a fitted fuchsia sheath dress and bejeweled statement necklace. Pictured with the First Lady is Doug Mills, a photographer for the New York Times.
Update: Mrs. O wears a magenta double face stretch wool crepe scoop neck sheath dress by Michael Kors.
To hear the President's remarks -- and see Mrs. O flex her fabulous arms -- watch the video below:
Happy Mother's Day everyone!
tagged Michael Kors in Outfits
Michael Kors in Outfits
Reader Comments (236)
Lord have mercy... this woman continues to do outdo herself. Michelle MUST MUST MUST stick to bright colours - this is her thing and my word, look at the necklace ?? Chelly, honey, I salute you.
Absolutely gorgeous color on Mrs. O, but then, I have not seen a bad color on her! She can wear everything from black, to muted earth tones, to jewel colors!! That necklace was absolutely breathtaking. I think, maybe, she did attach the deep reddish-fushia brooch, but it worked wonderfully!! Anyone know yet the designer of the gown (it just looks like Kors to me) and the necklace??
PS: Didn't the President look just too smashing, too???
Oops, I just now noticed in the update that the dress IS by Michael Kors!! He is one of my favorite designers alongside of Diane VonFurstenberg. I would love to see Mrs. O in one of Diane's beautiful prints!!!
I'm glad that Michelle wore Michael Kors again to give him some props---beautiful color. She really stuck out because so many were wearing dark colors. The necklace was stunning and on point.
It looks like Mrs. O reserves a lot of her quirky, eclectic tastes for her daywear--someone on this blog said during the day, Mrs. O is sort of like Lisa Bonet with mixing and experimentation and that's what makes her so interesting. She really knocks it out of the park for her evening looks. Not that she doesn't during the day, but I noticed that for evening, there's more of a consensus most times and it's kind of a mixed reaction on this blog for the daywear. I like that she mixes it up. I love her in sheath dresses and no belts, but I'm sure she just gets bored with that if she dressed like that most times.
Thank you, anon (7:40am). My sentiments exactly.
@tLeah D, Lets be real of coarse race isn't the most important thing but yes its going to be mentioned from time to time and yes people are going to be proud that the Obama's are AA. And just because we have elected a black man and have a black family living in the White House, race didn't all of a sudden evaporate on November 4th.
BTW Michelle has said one of the reasons she has done all these magazine covers is to send a positive message to young African American women and girls. The same way she spoke of being a decsendant of slave when unveiling the Sojourner Truth statue on capital hill last week.
Moving forward with race relations does not mean we no longer see race, the different colours that make up the world are what makes it beautiful, its when we see different races how we react or interact w/ different people.
As an AA woman I can't help if people are offended because AA women are proud of Michelle. She is a first for us. She represents the hidden AA woman, she is not a welfare mother that Reagan used, she is not the Video Ho that those rappers use, she is not angry or militant, she is not an actress. She represents the hidden black community and I really can't hide my giddiness over Michelle and her family.
I can also empathize with other minorities who finally get their day. If the first lady was Asian I would feel happy for them instead of trying to rain on their parade. But for some reason AA achievements must be diluted.
@That Other Mimi:
Please don't place me in the "people are offended because AA women are proud of Michelle". I am an Italian-American, and have heard from my grandparents of the discrimination heaped on them when they immigrated to this country. We, too, are labeled, still.
I am proud of Mrs. O for many, many reasons. She is a devoted mother, loving wife, loving daughter and sister, successful career woman. She is an inspiration to women, period. This venue is primarily to discuss her fashion and style. Fashion is one of my passions, but being a strong woman is another of my passions. That is why Mrs. O is such an inspiration to me and to many of us, no matter what our ancestry.
And I cannot hide MY giddiness over Michelle and her family, either.
@ trudy -- My little joke about Doug Mills the photographer in that photo was just that, a little joke.
@ Leah D -- when I read your earlier post in this thread, I knew in my heart that it is coming from a good place in YOUR heart, and that you mean to be nothing but complimentary. And I absolutely don't want to get into a long drawn-out racial discussion because this isn't really the right venue for that. But I just want to suggest that your desire not to look at "race" comes from the privilege you have of not being negatively judged for your race. I'm not suggesting that this is intentional on your part, or even wanted. But usually, the folks who say "let's not look at race anymore, I don't see race" are people who are members of the existing power structure.
Race is a real social construct. Differences in treatment due to race are very real, and persist. I would prefer us that people deal with the world as it is. My racial category is just as real and important to me as being a woman is, and I wouldn't tell a proud Irish American or an Italian American that their ethnicity should no longer be important to *them.*
I am proud of Michelle Obama for all the categories that she falls under. I don't see where that's a bad thing.
There are many, many other blogs and books that are written on this subject that could express this point far more eloquently than I can, and I know that you are an excellent researcher from your posts here! (grin.) If you want to know a little bit more about where many black people are coming from on this issue of "not seeing color," this might be a good place to start:
www(dot)nymbp(dot)org( forward slash)reference(foward slash)WhitePrivilege(dot)pdf
There's lots more where that came from. I would just suggest reading these things with an open heart and spirit and willingness to consider other points of view. I think everyone here possesses those traits.
And now, enough thread derailment; back to fun discussions on clothes!
I knew it had to be a dress by Michael Kors, Maria Pinto, or Azzedine Alaia (and NOT Narciso Rodriguez) because I love this dress. Great color, and it flatters her figure.
Usually I don't like Mrs. Obama's big jewelry, but it works for this outfit.
5 out of 5.
Oh, and here's a question that is actually ON topic -- do we think this necklace is just one piece, or could it be a necklace jazzed up with a brooch?
I would never be able to pull off a close up like this. This is not just evidence of good makeup, but also beautiful skin.
www(dot)daylife(dot)com/photo/02GH7HFcOEfBh
Forgive me but this race conversation is becoming tiresome...I thought we'll be talking about our FLOTUS outfit ....I guess not ...I'll avoid this thread today!
Happy mother's day to all!
@ Brook: Well said, I couldn't have put it better myself. This idea of "I don't see race" mess is an illusion. The fact that Mrs. Obama is a high-profile, well-educated, statuesque black woman who is NOT an entertainer or athlete or shaking her behind in some rap video IS relatively new. That she is the first black First Lady of the U.S. IS new. However, some whites' sense of entitlement of how black women should view Mrs. Obama, I see, is still old.
I think somebody above said they thought Mrs. Obama's dress was too plain. I think the statement jewelry helps overcome that potential thing. Mrs. Obama looks best in clean, simple lines in jewel tones, which is why this look works. I'm glad she didn't wear a belt with this dress, as she probably would've done had it been shorter or for a different event.
I love this dress on her..the color, the silhouette, the length, the sheathness...lol..etc..its simple but chic. And of course the hair and makeup is on point.
And about the race thing, I agree with most of my fellow AA sisters on here..Having a black POTUS and FLOTUS is a BIG deal to us..u really cant say u dont see color when u see them..im offended by that. I guess you would have to walk in our shoes to realize it.
I love the color,fit and length of the dress and the necklace is stunning! How many women could wear that color dress or that neckalce and get away with it? Very few is the answer. Mrs. O is truly amazing and the next four years is going to be quite a journey with her as our FLOTUS.
I'm sorry that racial discussions bore you, Mimi. It is an essential part of the lives of many of us; we don't have the option to find it tiresome. (And, if I can be childish for a sec -- I didn't start it! (grin))
See you in other threads, then.
I'm thinking about whether this dress is "too plain." I can kind of see where that POV is coming from, but really, I think the color and the shape of the body is supposed to carry the dress here. If it were fuchsia and also sequined or sparkly, I think that it would be overpowering. Too "Vegas showgirl," IMO...
The "nerd prom," as some people call the correspondents' dinner is an interesting formal occasion -- you can't go completely over the top like it's the Oscars, but it is obviously a big deal here. I feel like she got it right with this dress in terms of acknowledging the formality, but also not trying to dress like she's been nominated for an Academy Award.
And certainly, as Mara said, the jewelry totally sells it.
Not discussed very often but always noticed .... her beautiful manicured hands. Her nails always look great! Very refined and classy. I'd love to know what color/brand of polish she wears.
more pics
http://community.livejournal.com/obama_daily/221880.htm
I liked the picture of BO reaching up to touch hands with MO as she walked past him. Yeah, it does show MO's profile that was mentioned in another post as less than perfect and in need of girdling. Actually, while it would have bothered me because I would be selfconscious about my "tummy" showing, I am happy to think that it doesn't bother her one bit. Being happy and so self-confident, as she so clearly seems to be,is key and having a husband who seems to just not be able to get enough of you certainly is a great confidence booster.
What about Michelle in Versace?
I read a recent article in the WaPo about Versace in which she says she would love to know what the First Lady's size is so she can send her some clothes.
She also says this about the First Lady:
But Michelle Obama has panache, Versace says, noting the first lady's penchant for high-drama eyelashes and her decision to wear a black, tiered Azzedine Alaia dress in France. "She looked fierce," Versace says. "They're a couple who knows how to dare. I'm sure she has people around her telling her it's too much. She looked great in Alaia."
I am very interested in the comments here about the concept of not seeing color. As a Caucasian of European descent, I have considered it a high achievement in character to have reached the point of seeing beyond skin color and focusing on what I think are more meaningful aspects of who people are. And even though I did not say so in this thread, I have said on other occasions that I don't see race when I see the Obamas; I see intelligence, accomplishment, character, idealism, energy, and a lot of other things that seem more significant to me because they're qualities that they have worked hard to develop--unlike race, which we have no choice about. So I have to say that I will be reflecting on the perspectives you've presented here, and I thank you for giving me some new thoughts to consider.
Washington Post's Sally Quinn pens an inspirational piece on Michelle today. Really worth a read
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/07/AR2009050704538.html?hpid=artslot
Here we go again, thanks to Leah D......
Please listen to yourself (5:32). I quote: “It is a shame that the media and people on the blogs bring up race.” YOU, Leah D, are one of the “people on the blogs” you speak of. Honestly, why "say my peace" on a new thread where there was no talk of race, and rightly so (an important issue, but this is not the place to address it relentlessly imo). You knew what you would start by bringing up the subject. Well done.
A fab cut and color on the FL. Time out.
Ms. G -- thank you for your openmindedness! I think that many people believe that not seeing color represents a hightst goal to achieve. But I would say that the highest goal is not to disregard race (or sex, or any other defining characteristic) but rather to not judge that characteristic negatively. My race is an extremely meaningful characteristic to me, and not any more or any *less* important than anything else. I don't want it ignored.
(And of course, intelligence, accomplishment, character, energy etc. are very very important!)
Did an earlier post. Looks like it is not going to pass muster because of link to other photos, so just my comment:
I liked the picture of BO reaching up to touch hands with MO as she walked past him. Yeah, it does show MO’s profile that was mentioned in another post as less than perfect and in need of girdling. Actually, while it would have bothered me because I would be selfconscious about my “tummy” showing, I am happy to think that it doesn’t bother her one bit. Being happy and so self-confident, as she so clearly seems to be,is key and having a husband who seems to just not be able to get enough of you certainly is a great confidence booster
I can't quite articulate why I love this whole look in the context of the WHCD--soft and powerful at the same time, clean but loud, formal yet sophisticated...very few women can pull this off. The First Lady is simply remarkable...
@ That Other Mimi - yes Mrs. O is fierce.
I wonder if these big named designers who want to dress Mrs. O, would do themselves a favor by being a little more coy with their comments re: Mrs. O - even favorable comments. Mrs. O seems to really appreciate discretion, and I've noticed that many of the people she wears regularly are quiet and DO NOT go out of their way talking all things Mrs. O.
I give Donatella Versace a break (and also Oscar De La R. in his later, better-considered comments on the View) because they are designers. She's a prominent woman. Of *course* they want to dress her. Saying "she *must* wear me!" is a little inappropriate, but saying "I'd love to see her in my clothing" seems just like an honest expression of admiration.
I actually agree a TEENSY bit, that the dress is too plain. And I think it's mostly the length that does it. For most of last night, I had assumed this dress reached right below the knee, much like the purple Maria Pinto dress Michelle wore during the Primaries (with the Alaia belt). This silhouette, where it reaches the floor is probably more appropriate for a more formal event but, the sheer solid wall of fabric, maybe makes it a tad plain.
And race...AGHHHHHHHHHHHH...! Add me to the list of people who avoids threads where this becomes the dominating topic. I like to discuss anything and everything that has to do with Michelle, who is my role model as she is a role model for millions of women. Still, no one is going to change their mind about such a complex issue over a comment on a fashion blog. Let's be less ambitious and stick to what we have in common: fashion.
Well said, Christina! Thanks again.
@Jenna
"This silhouette, where it reaches the floor is probably more appropriate for a more formal event but, the sheer solid wall of fabric, maybe makes it a tad plain."
Hmm. Yes, I can see where you're coming from. I wonder how this dress was styled on the runway, and if it looked different there. Designer dresses are frequently modified.
I must say I think it was nice, its refreshing to see a 1st Lady wearing something other than sequins! I thought the necklace added the right touch.
How good is Michael Kors feeing right now?!!!!
When we all should be talking about this great outfit -- we are talking about race! Let's celebrate fashion style and what works for Mrs. Obama. The outfit was just lovely. Interesting I had mentioned before (not that I am an expert AT ALL) that you never go wrong with a sheath dress, some accessories and great shoes. I wonder about the shoes' style with this great outfit. Mrs. Obama looks just FAB!
Did you guys notice the bottom of the dress, it has a trapeze cut. The dress in my opinion is very simple and sophisticated.
yahoo(dot)com/nphotos/Michelle-Obama/ss/events/pl/050108michelleobama/im:/090510/ids_photos_ts/r2332499815.jpg/
@MJMR - you can see her shoes in this link. It's the ones she wore to the Stevie Wonder event. At first, I didn't think they were the ones she wore on date night, only those were black, but I now think they are the same.
www(dot)daylife(dot)com/photo/0dppdeN2fe8LV
I just thought this was a cute moment between Mr. and Mrs. O!
www(dot)news(dot)yahoo(dot)com/nphotos/Michelle-Obama/ss/events/pl/050108michelleobama#photoViewer=/090510/ids_photos_ts/r3414668989(dot)jpg
Yes, please let this be the 1 blog were people arent going at each other throats (not that this has happened) but I like that we can discuss and compliment our 1st lady. As I said in my prev. blog its refreshing for me to see a 1st lady in something that is (Mimi comment) "simple and sophisticated." The necklace brought a nice splash to the look. I think she is sometimes daring, sometimes simple, but always classic in a new way
IVA, the link you added is not pulling up, but I'm thinking its the pic of her walking back to her seat and they are kind of holding hands!?
Brook at 7:08 - Thank you so much for saying what I was thinking as I read comments about how we must not see race. And, being an AA woman, you can say it better than I can, because you experience it every day.
I asked my question the other day because I felt that a "white" image of beauty was sometimes being applied to our beautiful black first lady. I, personally, felt that the discussion was very meaningful to me and to others who participated in an honest and thoughtful way. I believe that, rather than being divisive, the discussion brought those of us who participated closer together. And I am very grateful for that.
I appreciate that this site is devoted to fashion, and as such, it may attract people who would prefer to keep the conversation light and not go beyond fashion to other topics. If Mrs. T. wishes to suggest that we keep the discussion to fashion only, then we would need to respect that.
But, there were a significant number of people who expressed their appreciation for our discussion. I know I was not alone in feeling that something good happened there.
@ Nicole - That was the one. I just tried it - did you replace all of the (dot) areas I posted, with a "." before loading the link?
Brooke and other,thank you for responding to LeahD. I myself was trying to say out of the conversation,but you definitely spoke for me. I also felt offended by some of Leah comments.
Anyhoo. Mrs. O look great in pink
Anon at 7:40 - I agree with you. As a white person, I, too, find it offensive when white people seem to want to declare that racism is no longer an issue in our society. Maybe it would be more honest for people to say that they don't want to think about or deal with the racism that still exists in our society. That is legitimate. People may not have the interest or the energy or whatever to wish to deal with race.
However, the fact that we have our first Black couple in the White House brings race to the fore for many people -- in both positive and negative ways. I am very grateful that we can discuss some of that here.
Perhaps the people who don't wish to participate in those conversations can just pass them buy and continue the discussion of things that interest them.
I believe there is room for diversity of opinion and subject on this blog. It is not necessary to restrict subject matter.
Christina at 9:59 - Thank you for sharing that excellent article called White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack, by Peggy McIntosh, a white woman. It is soooo excellent.
www(dot)nymbp(dot)org( forward slash)reference(foward slash)WhitePrivilege(dot)pdf
If I may, I would strongly suggest my white sisters read it.
Thank you.
@Iva
This is the sams photo to which I was referring in my earlier post
I liked the picture of BO reaching up to touch hands with MO as she walked past him. Yeah, it does show MO’s profile that was mentioned in another post as less than perfect and in need of girdling. Actually, while it would have bothered me because I would be selfconscious about my “tummy” showing, I am happy to think that it doesn’t bother her one bit. Being happy and so self-confident, as she so clearly seems to be,is key and having a husband who seems to just not be able to get enough of you certainly is a great confidence booster
Please help me with some posting ground rules. In an earlier post, I had listed a direct link to that photo but it never left "awaiting moderation" Is it that I should have replaced all the periods/dots with "(dot). Thanks
I love the dress but didn't like the neckless she was wearing.
@Jenna,
I agree, and it looks like I'll be skipping a lot of threads. Life is hard enough. This blog is/was my levity. Always enjoy your comments Jenna on fashion; keep them coming.
I finally got it IVA, yes I saw that pic. I think the color just screams Spring!
I actually don't think there is anything wrong with her tummy, and she just had dinner. Nonetheless sometimes there may be an appearance of a little bump depending on her stature (the ways she walks or stands). Plus she has two children, no matter how much she works out, she's not getting a "six-pack" abs Lol She has a great body, I wouldn't change a thing!!!