Gorgeous to Honor Gandhi
Monday, November 8, 2010 at 8:35 AM 
Image by B Mathur / Reuters Pictures
The president and first lady visited the Mahatma Gandhi memorial at Rajghat in New Delhi, India this morning. Mrs. O wore a full skirt of vibrant greens and purple, paired with a black top and floral pin at the collar. A thin belt at the waist and metallic kitten heels completed the look.
Update: Mrs. O wears a skirt by Dries Van Noten, from the designer's Fall 2010 collection, as well as a pin by Alexis Bittar, available here.
Robin Givhan of the Washington Post offers wonderful perspective on Mrs. O's choice of Dries Van Noten, and comments more broadly on how the global fashion market has embraced Indian aesthetics and craftsmanship:
"On this trip, the first lady has also worn several pieces by the Belgian designer Dries Van Noten. That might not seem particularly resonant, but the choice speaks to India's expertise in embroidery and beading -- two of its great contributions to the modern fashion industry. Designers in Europe and New York regularly turn to India to create some of the most elaborately embellished works on the runway. Van Noten, who is known for his love for ethnic-inspired fabrics and lavish decoration, is particularly indebted to the country's skill at fine handiwork. Mrs. Obama wore one of his richly printed skirts at the Gandhi memorial. Obama's wardrobe not only serves as a nod of respect to her hosts, but also sends a message about the country's place in the global fashion economy."
Alexis Bittar, Dries Van Noten
Reader Comments (44)
It has been a glorious weekend following Mrs. O but it is Monday morning and I must get to work. Anyhow, she looks lovely and now, that is a belt that I can love. Isn't it the one she wore earlier in the trip. Have a great week everyone. Thank you for your hard work Mrs. T you make us hard core MO fans happy.
I hope that we will be seeing this necklace and bangles on her some time in the near future!
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/106624463
Well, now this outfit is a more like how we are use to seeing her dress here in the States.
Very elegant...the skirt "painterly" like water colors. The pin...like a great explanation point! The whole look is so very appropiate...somber but still happy.
Really like this look. They went to the Ghandi memorial and then she went to talk to some children and then to the market. Three very different events, yet this outfit works for all the them. I love the colors and the flat pleating and the fit of the whole look. And of course the pin adds that little bit extra "ummph" for glamour without being fancy.
Lovely photos again. All those vibrant colors! Love her skirt and the belt. I think this is the pin:
http://alexisbittar.com/product.php?productid=21799&cat=255&page=1&defvarid=15718
How lovely she looks. She is so elegant. Love the slim belt and broach. Hair up only increases the look of elegance.
Lovely, just lovely.
Does anyone know the source of the metallic kitten heels? They're gorgeous.
This dress reminds me of the Issac Mizrachi dress from the state of the union.
http://mrs-o.org/newdata/2010/1/27/pretty-in-plum.html
Lovely.
She looks amazing! Love this outfit - and can't wait to see these shoes more often.
Even better, I'd like to see them in my closet.
Elegance Personified! First Lady Michelle Obama was obviously born for this role! NOBODY does it better!
I believe that skirt is Dries Van Noten look number 53 A/W 10 if it is it proves that Michelle is a fashion heavyweight and a force to be reckoned with follow this link
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/slideshow/F2010RTW-DVNOTEN?event=show2062&designer=design_house35&trend=&iphoto=52
The dress looks like one of Barbara Tfank's designs, it's heart stoppingly beautiful.
Just caught a very quick glimpse of Mrs. O at the State Dinner tonight and she looks really stunning. Looks like she's wearing a light gold/bronze silk blouse with a sequin sort of skirt or some other shiny fabric. The lighting was dim with lots of candlelight so it was hard to make out the colors. Her hair and make-up are flawless. She's wearing a very cute bang and her bob. This is my favorite hair and she looks really gorgeous. Can't wait to see some photos!
meta,
I saw a peek of her sitting at the table and she looked gorgeous. If she's wearing a sequined skirt I am going to die because I have really been into sequins lately!
@meta, where did you see this glimpse of the state dinner?!
Jermaine, you are a gem! I just checked with the press representative and the skirt is indeed Dries Van Noten!
Mrs. O, I love you...you look soo good with all the colors - rose, vermillion, burgundy, saffron...
the first glimpse of the Michelle's dress at the state dinner
No prob Mrs. T its what I do. Keep up the excellent work!!
The jacket from last night is Dries Van Noten, as well. Quite incredible as I can't recall an occasion when Mrs. O wore the same designer two days in a row.
I like Adear's description of the skirt as "painterly". That's a perfect way to characterize this lovely piece!
Mrs. T, so sorry I didn't see your question until now. I've been watching the Indian ndtv livestream while they have been in India. It's been non-stop Obama Everything 24/7.
http://www.ndtv.com/video/live/channel/ndtv24x7
I see the photos are out now and I was wrong about the color. But I was right about her gorgeous look!!
oh wow, the dinner has started.... she is GORGEOUS
The skirt is like an artist canvas. So many beautiful hues. It contrast so well
with the black long sleeve top.
what I noticed immediately is the absolutely wonderful coincidence (???) of how nicely the blue-greens in MO's skirt coordinated with the lovely green edge of the white sari. Then when you see both the ladies in metallics later at the dinner ... could some "diplomatic communication" have gone on when wardrobes were being planned out, even just a little???
Just Beautiful!
@Tsetse Johnson: One minor tweak of your comment, if you don't mind. NOBODY has DONE IT better. (No disrespect to the other great "O.", of the '60s.)
And look at Mrs. O.'s physique! Those arms! Dare I say, she--or anyone else--would not look AS good in a snug top like that without a well-toned--and I don't mean model "skinny"--body.
Mrs. T I am so proud of myself I immediately KNEW the skirt was Dries Van Noten! She looks Stunning!
I am IN LOVE with this skirt!! The colors are so beautiful. This outfit is definitely in the top 5 of my all time favorites list.
The blouse and skirt are for me -- fun yet elegant!
Never better!
Ok, how does she do it? It cannot be accidental that her skirt matches the colors of the ensemble of dignitaries she is with (turban, shirt & tie guy and sari border). She looks like an exotic peacock....perhaps there were even some peacocks strolling the grounds. This is a perfect look on her. Great skirt length. The turquoise dress/cardigan was a miss. Not every trend translates well to one's body. This, however, is perfection. So lady-like and classy.
She also matched the colors of the chief dignitaries when she was wearing her silver and gold formal skirt and blouse. She must have someone that finds these things out ahead of time!
The best dress she wore so far.
Wow! This is Mrs. O at her best! Modern, fresh, streamlined yet very American.
I love this dress.
What a fresh and beautiful look for Mrs. O!
Mrs. O is very fortunate to have Ikram. She has really come a long way.
The skirt, pin, belt and shoes are smashing with the black top. But the top looks to much like a leotard to me. She still needs structure. This top belongs in a dance studio or a gym.
nice choice.
Only one snide comment today! Makes a change!
I spotted this ensemble on FB yesterday and although I don't *like* the top (boring!) I love the skirt and the brooch Mrs O has teamed with it. Again beautifully judged for the event.
I don't think there would be any wardrobe synchronising in advance of the trip - I would say that what was appropriate might have been discussed, but then I'd assume that Mrs O was intelligent enough to do her own research before making her choices....
Oh OK, two snide comments!
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL FIRST LADY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love Mrs. O for her strenght and her smarts but I have to be honest I didn't think the more elegant outfit flattered her body it missed the fit on her. I loved the color of the blouse tho. Her skin is flawless, it seems, and the color of the elegant blouse make her look goddess like but again the fit wasn't quite there. I think the short skirt is nice for some other occassion but not visiting away from home. I think she wears those type of shoes because of her height any higher hell would make her taller then her husband. I didn't like the Broach on her either makes her look older than she is. I especially disliked the blue number again made her look older than she really is.
Wow, this trip just keeps getting better, fashion-wise! FLOTUS looks elegant in this skirt and top, especially with the slim belt and brooch giving it just a little punch. When I saw this ensemble, the first thing that came to mind was peacock tones, also. This is a really good and understated look. Very nice, indeed!