Saturday
May162009
Cap and Michael Kors Gown
Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 4:52 PM Mrs. O gave the commencement speech at the University of California, Merced this afternoon. After their successful "Dear Michelle" letter writing campaign, graduating students successfully secured the First Lady as their commencement speaker.
Underneath her commencement gown, Mrs. O wore a Michael Kors black tank dress in bonded jersey, the same worn for her official White House portrait. (Of note, the ombre effect in the photo below is simply a photo flash.) Mrs. O added a black flower pin at the left shoulder, the same Mrs. O wore for her appearance on The View almost a year ago.
Photo by David Paul Morris/Getty Images
tagged Michael Kors in Outfits
Michael Kors in Outfits
Reader Comments (55)
Event streaming live now:
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/478
Live stream!
http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/livenow?id=6816596
Mrs. Obama looks great in the academic gown!
watch live here: http://edition.cnn.com/video/flashLive/live.html?stream=stream1
That was a great speech.
the dress she has on under her gown looks like the Kors one she wore in her official potrait with the dropped waist. I'm a soft touch but the last 8 mins or so of her speech moved me to tears :)
I actually was successful with the live-stream today. Yeah! Mrs. O gave a very inspiring speech. I also noticed the speakers before her using a whole new language inspired completely by the Obamas. Everyone in the country is now talking about contributions we must all make to our country. This administration will be revolutionary.
I was so touched that Merced had dedicated "Michelle Obama's Garden for Young Children". How touching and fitting.
Being a great big fan of sculpture, (and dabbling a bit in clay myself) I loved the campus sculpture of the two curved shapes reaching upward, open at the top. Someone referred to them as "Beginnings", and I think referred to them as arms, embracing those who come to the campus to help them on their way. Something like that. This was also inspiring.
I am lifted up by today's events and all of you here.
*cries* I missed it.
Her full speech and it was damn good, here, http://thisweekwithbarackobama.blogspot.com/2009/05/flotus-michelle-obamas-commencement.html
@Willow, I was touched as well by that garden in her honor as well as their sculpture. The campus is really beautiful. CNN said there were over 50 news organizations, including international, that were there today. I hope the campus' enrollment really goes up from this--it really looks like a great, inclusive enthusiastic bunch of people. It was fitting that they got the 1st speech from Mrs. O. I missed her longer speeches after the campaign was over--several days a week she really knocked it out the park and closed the deal for her husband. She's an amazing woman.
@toi22--check C-span's website this evening. They covered it today as well.
@toi22--See, I stumbled upon this right after posting above. Here is Mrs. O's full speech:
www(dot)msnbc(dot)msn(dot)com/id/21134540/vp/30783562#30783562
I missed it, I couldnt stream anything. I wonder why the whitehouse didn't put it their website.
Check this out http://bit.ly/ED9PZ
I attended the event and the crowd was very moved by the words she shared. I am from Merced and having the First Lady attend the school is an inspiration which our area needs. We have the highest unemployment rate, foreclosures and tons of other issues. Having her display such grace and determination for community building is amazing!
I was so moved to tears...I love her!
That spoof is hilarious -- but I think it only makes sense if you have seen the video that it is spoofing, Stylishgurl. (For those who are interested, the original song is called "Blame It," by Jamie Foxx.)
I hate to play "what's that color again?" but are we sure that's black? It seems like it could be a very deep navy blue.
god i love her so much, awesome speech.
An amazing speech from an amazing woman. She accepted to speak at an amazing school. I hope enrollment is positively affected by her appearance at this year's graduation. Those students earned it.
And how cute is it that while Mrs. O was out, Mr. O was at home on dad duty!
www(DOT)huffingtonpost(DOT)com/2009/05/16/obama-soccer-photos-sasha_n_204278(DOT)html
I've sat through a LOT of graduation speeches in my life, as a graduate myself a few times, as the mother of a few graduates, and as a college faculty member MANY times, and this is by far the best I've ever heard! All the way from her very pleasant, easy-to-listen-to voice to the passion she has for her ideals to the personal touches of mentioning specific people--she was amazing! The most impressive part of all is the amount of homework she did on the specific school and community. She didn't just pull out a canned one-size-fits-all speech. She spoke directly to the people in that specific audience. AND she even looked good in the academic regalia--something I've always thought was impossible. Wow!
The Huff Post photos of POTUS as Saturday afternoon soccer dad are priceless!
There are absolutely no words that I can think of to described how that speech moved me. What an amazing soul! Her spirit is so kind that I was actually in memerized and so proud of the students and staff (people I have never met in life) I am so proud of Our First Lady. I have said it before and I will say it again, this is what having the whole pacage looks like. She drew me into the entire speech from beginning to end. The speech was personalized for every one there. The passion in her voice had me sitting on the edge of my seat. For the first time upon coming to this post, I did not care what she had on. I felt the heart of the woman. What a moving speech. We are so blessed to be living to witness this despite everything else that is going on. Thank you, Michelle for caring.
The video of Pres. Obama at soccer game:
www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=FZmbjoXlyAw&feature=channel_page
I have SO much admiration for this woman -- and her awesome fashion sense is only a small part of it! I only wish I'd had a role model like her when I was young.
As if her fashion weren't influential enough, her intelligence shines through in everything that she does. Another piece of wonderment from Mrs. O! :)
http://cafefashionista.blogspot.com
I was so blessed to be in attendance at this event (as well at the inauguration). While I graduated from college many years ago, her words resonated with me. I was moved to tears by the end. God bless you, Mrs. Obama.
I'm pretty certain that's the same black Michael Kors dress she wore for her official portrait, and that blue at the bottom is only because of the sun.
I don't see the blue at the bottom of Mrs. O's dress. Sometimes the eye is deceived by the colors surrounding the object we focus on. My thought is that the eye may see blue because of the colors in the floor. If you block out the background (the floor) with your hands or paper, I think it will all appear black.
I didn't know Charles Ogletree was from Merced. He's an awesome guy. (Wouldn't be a bad Supreme Court Justice, either.)
Details from the White House:
The President and Mrs. Obama will visit Accra, Ghana, from July 10 to 11. While in Ghana, the President will discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues with Ghanaian President Mills. The President and Mrs. Obama look forward to strengthening the U.S. relationship with one of our most trusted partners in sub-Saharan Africa, and to highlighting the critical role that sound governance and civil society play in promoting lasting development.
President Obama is also scheduled to be in
Russia: July 6-8th
and
Italy: July 8-10th
so my guess is that Michelle will be with him for the whole trip since the Africa dates are July 10-11th.
If she wears outfits that reflect the cultures for Russia, Italy and Africa then it will be quite amazing!
I am so happy I had an opportunity to hear the speech from beginning to end. Ms. Obama reached out to everyone and continued to push for service.
She hit upon so many important issues and she has so much energy. The students and all in attendance seemed to be so engaged and happy to have her there.
I thank God everyday for the Obama family. Good luck to President Obama as he gives his speech tomorrow.
I do indeed think that this upcoming trip will be amazing as well. As for her fashions for the trip, I think she will give us everything we desire. I'm prepared to take notes.
Teresa you lucky lady!
Pray share a bit more about the event...
What an inspirational speech! Mrs O is truly a dynamic speaker!
Can't wait to hear more speeches and see more fabulous outfit for the upcoming trip to Russia, Italy and indeed Africa!
UK Resident
I would just like to say that I live about an hour outside of Merced where Mrs. O was. And in my little town of Modesto, driving around today, people were stopping eachother to let them know that our First Lady was in our area. It was almost comical some peoples reactions knowing she was this close to us. At the gas station there was a sign that read "Mrs, Obama in Merced". I was disappointed to have missed such an occassion, but it was nice to know that such a great inspiration of mine was so close to home. If I were one of the graduates that got to meet her possibly, my main thing would of been to her, "First Lady Im sorry about the heat" because yesterday, Im sure she was dying as it was hot in our area. lol
Ive been lurking around this website since August 2008. Never posted anything, I can say my favorites are Bevi, and Iva. I am guilty of having the Mrs O website in a small window at work trying to read up on Mrs O fashion, but still trying not to get caught for beng on the internet. I told my supv I needed my own office lol. I can honestly say that she hasnt had any misses with me. I adore this woman (and her clothes, haha) .. x
Would it be lovely if the Obama girls got to travel with there parents to Russia, Italy & Ghana. I wonder if security would allow it since the girls are so young.
Mrs. Obama gave a very interesting and inspirational speech. I'm a regular in Chicago now but can only imagine how it was when Mrs. Obama was a child. I'm glad she spoke about the impact of the local university on her life. I'm glad to see that things have improved for other students in that area. Her hair looked radiant as always.
Michelle is coming to New York City tomorrow to unveil a new wing at the Metropolitan Museum called the American Wing. Here's a preview of it if anyone is interested.
www(dot)metmuseum(dot)org/works_of_art/american_decorative_arts/american_wing_2009(dot)aspx
I just read President Obama's speech prepared for Notre Dame's graduation class. His genius is on full display as he brilliantly uses Notre Dame's own role in breaking the impasse on race during Eisenhower's time, to show a way forward in the thorny debate on abortion. President Obama is a more brilliant statesman than we've seen in decades. I am so thrilled that he is at the helm in this challenging time.
His speech can be read here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/17/obama-notre-dame-speech-f_n_204387.html
the dress looks navy... if so, it may well be a variation of the Kors dress. she is lovely, nonetheless.
Not feeling Mrs. Obama's flats (they look like flats, and I understand why she wore them yesterday) with the outfit, but the dress is nice.
I await Mrs. Obama's visit to Ghana this summer. There are some good Ghanaian designers out there, so hopefully she'll wear one! Maybe even bust out a micro-braided look while in her ancestral West Africa?
I watched the speech that the president gave today at Notre Dame live and it was probably one of the greatest speeches ever written. Hopefully a video of the speech will be posted here for all to view.
President Obama's brilliant speech at Notre Dame can be viewed here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/30795290#30795290
I think the shoe has a kitten heel--can't tell for sure.
Agree, the President's Notre Dame speech is brilliant! I admire the fact that he faced the controversy head-on instead of pretending it didn't exist.
It is inspiring to witness both the first lady and the president deliver such inspiring words to two different graduating classes. His come amidst controversy. It covers the issues in an expansive manner that covers racism and the issue of abortion in a positive way that is not offensive or condescending. her speech highlights the determination of a community and a university to make change and give back. I am glad to have seen both speeches. To read the text of the speeches highlights what two well-educated people can do.
Thank you Willow for the links to the speech in text and video.
I watched it live, but as with the first lady's, their already inspiring, wise and heartfelt words actually got even better when read and re-watched.
President Obama is a very gracious, decent, dignified, wise and brilliant man, but I ultimately remain even more in awe of, and impressed with his ever consistent and humanly rare ability to always take the high road and rise above it all.
This very level-headed man effortlessly makes the greatest case for grace, calm & positive engagement even in the face of disagreement and adversity.
As a devout, pro-life Catholic, I venture to contend that he puts many a so-called defender of the faith to shame, as the man seems to possess more Christian charity in his little finger than most combined.
He certainly lives out the much touted, but rarely lived up to "family values" and all without fanfare or the ironic holier than thou attitude exhibited by many who endlessly push it but woefully fail to live up to the concept...
America ought to be extremely proud of this rare gem of a man now leading this very blessed nation especially in these very treacherous times...I know I am!
What a wonderful insightful comment C. I just wish the media would focus on Catholics like you and not on the fringe.
I get upset when people in the US are not grateful to have such an amazing president and first lady. Every other country in the world is in awe of them and wishes someone like that was leading their country. The media created a non-existent controversey over this speech, and I just hate that they are so unnecessarily overly critical.
Sorry for getting so off topic, it's just something to hold me over until the FLOTUS goes to the Met tmw.
You're so kind Derek...and I share your frustrations!
There are a ton of faithful, practising Catholics who feel this way but it wouldn't be as sensational for media ratings now would it..?
Additionally, the media unfortunately seems to have fallen victim to that sly reverse psychological manipulation now employed by those not supportive of the President;
You know the meme that the media is in love with Obama...?
Now many in the media painstakingly go overboard in their attempt to disprove that...Obvious in their overkill coverage of every anti-Obama sentiment & minutiae...
It's actually quite amusing when you watch them compliment something the President's done or said, but then quickly add an obligatory negative/catty quip so as not to be seen as being "Obama whipped"...It's pathetic!
@C. You hit the nail on the head, when right wing commentators showed their blatant bias towards the Bush administartion, they were rarely called out, but they attack everyone in MSM who appreciates the POTUS because he is actually doing an amazing job, and they can't be happy about something he does otherwise it appears that they're 'in the tank for Obama'.