Thursday
Sep032009
Mystery Persists
Thursday, September 3, 2009 at 5:12 PM 
Official White House photo by Pete Souza / Flickr Creative Commons
One of our favorite Mrs. O looks of recent months remains a mystery - the divine red dress above. Just today, another person emailed to ask if we knew the designer, and sadly, we don't. If you have an idea of who might be behind this gem, please do tell.
The photo above is a recent addition to the White House Flickrstream. And if you didn't already see it in the comments (or on the Today Show), there is another photo that can't go without mention. Click here to see Ms. Sasha Obama sneaking up on her dad, our president, in the Oval Office. Not Mrs. O fashion, but too adorable to pass up!
Reader Comments (75)
One of my favorite's of Mrs. Obama's dresses.
I love this dress. I thought it was Kors.
Mine too, Georgia. Every woman needs a nice red dress, IMO!
I reallly like this dress 2...It fits her like a Maria Pinto creation!
I've checked with sources, and don't believe it's a Michael Kors design. Maria Pinto is an excellent thought. Will check and report back.
This is for sure one of my favorite looks so far, as well as the beautiful green St. Patrick's Day reception dress some months back. I would also love to know the designer Mrs. T...it's eating me up!! Also, I wonder if the belt came with it or if it was an exclusive Mrs. O "add-on" that she personally put with it.
I also love when Mrs. O does this cross-over pose with her feet; it's very cool. I've seen her do this in about three other WH photos. In all of them, the pose is always when she's with the President, listening to him prior to events. I call it the "I hear you hon" or "I feel you" pose. LOL
Love this dress. Love the "I hear you hon, I feel you" pose too!
And the Sasha picture is too adorable for words - instant classic. Seeing that picture sure does remind me how awful it is to be reading about the Republicans making a big deal over Mr. O's speech to the kids for back to school. They're painting it like he's some kind of pervert or something that they need to shield their kids from. Ugh! Sorry...I went off a bit it's been bugging me all day.
IVA -
Bugging me, too. Another jaw-dropping moment.
Looks like Michael Kors...I think he did it in black as well.
I love this pic and I really love this dress. The belt looks just right with this outfit. I would think it's another Michael Kors creation as it has similar lines to several other Kors dresses Mrs. Obama has worn in the past.
Twitter = Strongforu
The Sasha pic made my day!
So, here's my little fantasy: MO, POTUS, the kids, Mom, and TBG are in the residence laughing themselves silly at all of us trying to figure out who made this dress.
That said, I love it and am madly trying to find a red dress of my own this fall.
I critique when I do not like so I must praise when I love, even if it's to show that I am genuine in my likes and dislikes. Anyway She looks PERFECTO in this picture. Outfit , hair, makeup,accessories (including THE living accessroy :), but most importantly, posture and stance. She looks feminine, ladylike, relaxed, and just all-around great! And see how wonderful the tailored line of the dress photographs! Just LOVELY!
(So please do not bite my head off next time I post a not-so flattering opinion of our lovely Mrs. O. And yes, I do know she does not live to please me , and yaddi , yadda. But I feel we must be honest and denounce the bad so we can appreciate the good all the more.
Great dress and they look great together!
Iva: While I do want the President's speech broadcast in all schools, no one is portraying Mr. Obama as a "pervert" like you wrote, including the Republicans. They have, however, expressed concerns about their children being exposed to a point of view opposed to their politics, and that is entirely their right. To my knowledge that does not make the president a "pervert" and I have not heard that word used in regards to the speech. I may be wrong, but I doubt it.
She is lovely. Quite, quite lovely! A totally favorite look! She looks amazing!
And I love the belt! Tee hee!
Gorgeous dress and shade of red! Mostly, what a terrific snapshot of them as a couple...a really genuine moment of affection.
@ Gaby - They are accusing him of trying to indoctrinate (their word) kids. I am not saying they think he is a pervert, but they are insinuating that he's using the speech to lure kids into his "evil" ways. These right wingers (I will not call them Republicans because that would tarnish a respectable brand) are paranoid and this episode is showing just how paranoid they are. If these right wingers believe things like telling kids to read, do good in school, strive for the best is "a view opposed to their politics," then that is sad. If Mr. O gets on the tv and starts talking about the Iraq War, tax cuts, the public option, or cap-and-trade, I'll retract my statement of this evening. If, however, he says what any rational person expects him to say, which is encouraging the kids to be good students and citizens (just like what H.W. and Reagan did), then this episode will have revealed just how low the right wing will go, and just how bad they want to delegitimize this man.
I apologize for this long post and bringing it up. Just seeing the picture of his daughter sneaking up on him and thinking about how people are launching a campaign to shield their children from some perceived "inappropriate" or "political" speech from him, as if he's out to hurt or use kids, is really burning me up and has me a little sad.
It fits like a Maria Pinto. But it's anyone's guess as to who made it. The East Wing knows we want names. Give it to us. Please.
I readily admit that I object to anything other than fashion/design on this site. So pardon me while I go back on my word. IVA, I was sickened by this latest episode. I really dont' have words to put to it. Just a look of shock. A mood of reckoning. If the President is lambasted for encouraging children to grasp education as the ultimate feat, we, as a nation, are teetering on the edge.
@gaby, then they want a republican dictatorship where their children can only know their opinion. They didn't say pervert but it is strongly implied.
@IVA & McKinley: I normally go into the other chat threads as well to read up on great thoughts in the current political climate, but out of everything that has transpired since the President's inauguration, this latest school speech episode has sickened me the most out of everything that has been said up to this point against him....and Reagan talked about tax cuts to the school children...tax cuts! No matter how I've felt about any President's policies, I respected the office and never tried to demonize the person or their wife and children. They are trying to demean this man bit by bit in the most subtle and deceptive means possible---through fear and paranoia. I am truly disgusted that they involve their children in this paranoia that they as kids should perhaps fear their President. All I can think is just....wow.
@Gaby: I respect your opinion but there is a whole heap of mess on talk radio right now that you may not be aware of that reaches a large audience base, and IVA was correct in her assessment.
....so, until the Prez gives his speeches next week, MSM is off in my house. Jazz shall be on full blast this Labor Day weekend as well as my favorite "chill" CDs: The Best of Frank Sinatra, Chris Botti, and Jill Scott Live in Paris.
(Sorry for getting sidetracked on the main thread. I also prefer to only read about fashion on the main page. But I had to say something...this latest incident effected me a great deal.)
The Red Dress is Adorable. Looks like Kors to me but wouldn't it be wonderful if it's vintage Oleg Cassini????
Mrs. O is also wearing an unfamiliar dress in this picture from the White House stream -- unfamiliar to me, anyway, though others my know it:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/whitehouse/3859974851/
I found this photo and just thought I'd share it. It gives a better view of that Maria Cornejo outfit she wore at the Second City Theatre in Chicago. It looks very modern and comfortable.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2008-06/39681240.jpg
Oh, and remember that green jacket she wore with the purple striped sweater underneath seen here:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2009-05/46653794.jpg
The Chicago Tribune reported that it's actually from Duro Olowu's Spring 2008 collection seen here:
http://picsrv.fashionweekdaily.com/?fif=/fashionweekdaily/img_499_188887_8200.jpg&obj=iip,1.0&hei=357&wid=270
and the striped sweater is Dear Cashmere.
Ari, thank you for sharing! Fabulous!
Your Welcome! :-)
I love this dress. She should wear red more often it's not like Nancy has a patent on the color. I also thought it was Michael Kors. She always looks flawless when she's wearing Kors.
Okay!
So I don't have any news about the dress but I just have to say that I went into J.Crew the other day and got this great cardigan and tee ensemble that goes SOOOO PERFECT with this Anthropologie skirt that I have had for years and have never worn because I can't find anything to go with it. I look VERY Michelle Obama! It is a term that I am trying to make happen, guys! "Oooh, you look very Michelle Obama!" Try it!
Vintage Oleg Cassini? Good thought. I bet you dollars to donuts it isn't a well known designer.
This mystery must be solved!
This is just a great, great dress!
I actually don't like this dress, although the color is spectacular on her. I like the dress she wore when she visited the White House the first time much more, the gathered neckline really draws the eyes right up to her beautiful face.
To chime in on the education speech, the really wild thing is that it's just one part of a whole series of promotions to encourage kids to stay in school. The Dept of Ed has a contest, NASCAR produced a PSA, resources for teachers, etc.
http://www.obama-mamas.com/blog/?p=367
BETTER OFF RED
I want to agree that I prefer the subtlety of the coral dress that Mrs.O wore on her first visit to the white house, but this dress is also very effective in it's simplicity. This type of look is Michelle Obama personified - fitted enough but not figure hugging, and always exhibiting those well toned arms. It's a look and a feel that I believe only she can do so well.
As for Ms. Sasha in that oh so cute picture...Just think years from now, when they are grown and out of the white house what memories it will bring! WOW!
God bless and protect the Obama's. God has them firmly in His hands and any weapon fashioned against them shall never come to prosper.
President Obama is God's very own miracle. He is led and guided by the holy spirit and and in spite of all the crap thrown at him, he will succeed and go down in history as one of the greatest presidents of these United States and Michelle, one of the loveliest and most solid of first ladies.
This is the greatest nightmare for all these obstructors hiding behind all their made up propaganda - but they can't stop God and His holy will. It is ordained and all is well indeed.
Amen!
'the other Jenna' transitioned to be with her husband and parents shortly after 11:00PM Friday night. She loved President Obama, the lovely First Lady Michelle and their beautiful daughters. Her favorite outfit was the off-the-shoulder Narciso Rodriguez in burgundy or brown wool flannel which she wore for the Women's History Month dinner at the White House and her least favorite was the peach ensemble she wore in Moscow. I'm not a regular visitor here but as a friend she asked me to give you all her best.
I'm a Republican and I am ashamed of my party. They are acting like a bunch of frightened little children. Afraid to send their kids to school to listen to the President tell them the importance of getting a good education. Those people should have done the smart thing: allowed their kids to write "what can you do to help the President?" Allowed them the same freedom they are always crying for: the right to speak their mind. I'll bet some kids would have written things like, "I'll pray for you." "I'll try to volunteer in the community." "I'll stay in school and try to get a good job." "I'll become a policeman and help make this a safe country to live in." Instead their parents are indoctrinating them with fear and hate. Such a sad, sad day for our nation.
Sorry to go off topic like that but I had to get that off my chest.
SImply stunning! The sheath (as pictured) and the full skirt with ballet flats are in my opinion Mrs. O's best looks!
Could it be Celine?
from few years ago?
Check out this photo of President and Mrs.O being interviewed by Time magazine.
http://photos.essence.com/gallery-images/2009/09/42-23243931_full.jpg
I like this look on her. It's kind of a modern take on a classic LBD with pearls. The pearls are long and the sleeves of the dress seem to flare out. I like it a lot.
Ari
is that a new picture?
if it is the first lady looks stunning
Ari
is that a new picture?
the first lady looks stunning
Yes, I believe it is. I found it on Essence.com. They have a daily diary that follows everything she does.
Here's a link to the Essence.com slideshow:
http://photos.essence.com/galleries/michelle_obama_photo_blog_2#236331
I LOVE THIS RED DRESS MRS OBAMA IS WEARRING I HAVE THE SAME ONE BUT A DIDNT WEAR A BLACK SHOES WITH THEM I HAD A RED ONE ON AND A MACHING PRUSE TO GO WITH IT. I DIDNT KNOW MRS OBAMA HAD THE SAME ONE TO PUT MY DRESS WAS A LITTLE SHORTTER THEN HERS I WAS HOTTTTTTTTTTTTTT. LOL AND I GOT MINE IN J CREW I ODER IT AND THEY HAD ONE FOR ME IT WAS THE LAST ONE I WAS LUCKY. TO HAVE THEM. I LOVE WHAT MRS O IS WEARRING SOME SHE REPEATED HER SELF BUT STILL LOOKED NICE IN THEM.
@Ari - thanks SO MUCH for the essence link. I actually scrolled thru all 220 pictures! (Clearly, I have no life.) They were in weird order, and I'd seen most of the clothes. But there were outfits that were completely new to me and others I loved and enjoyed seeing again. This site is now on my favorites and destined for a daily visit. Loved it!
Ari, thanks for the link, this a nice picture of First Lady Michelle:
http://photos.essence.com/gallery-images/2009/08/spl117157_002_full.jpg
Stylish, stunning, jazzy and gorgeous dress, looking absolutely fabulous!!!
I thought she was a knockout in the yellow, similarly cut Jason Wu dress she wore arriving in Rome in July. It was a perfect fit and she looked so pretty in it. This red dress, though, tops even that one. Beautiful!
Boazwife and Operafanatic your both very welcome! It's one of my favorite sites to catch up on Mrs.O news.
Boazwife that is a really nice picture of her. Casual, comfortable and just being herself. One of the reasons I love that she is our First Lady.
@NORA
Girl please, your opinion is not held on a pedestal, so get over yourself. Just because YOU hate something does not mean everyone else should hate it, and especially does not mean the first lady cares about your opinion. Your one in a billion, your opinion does not mean anything to her!!
Also new pics on getty, the first lady is wearing a ponytail, I know many on here will have a problem with here wearing a ponytail.LOL Also, she has on her ultra cute blk sandals, and a cute blk dress. *Oh NO* She has broken ALLL the First Lady codes, sleevless dress, check, ponytail, check, and 21st century sandals, check. *sarcasm* The world is coming to an end, how dare she wear an outfit like this.