Thursday
Dec022010
Happy Hanukkah
Thursday, December 2, 2010 at 8:40 PM 
Image by Saul Loeb / Getty Images
The President and First Lady hosted a Hanukkah celebration in the East Room of the White House tonight. For the occasion, Mrs. O wore a blue sequin cardigan by L'Wren Scott, seen here, embellished with a vintage brooch at the collar. Gorgeous!
tagged L'Wren Scott
L'Wren Scott
Reader Comments (58)
Hmm...I hope there are other photos of this event that I can see more details. She has such a pretty smile
I love how this First Couple embraces and welcomes everyone to the White House....usually having a big celebration and inviting local school children etc. to their events. They truly believe that it's the People's White House. And Mrs. O looks beautiful.
Ditto on wanting more photos! Mrs. O looks charming...a festival of light herself. Deep blue sequins...hell, yeah!
Happy Hanukkah family OBAMA
She is just remarkable! From one event to the other, Mrs. Obama is so fresh and lovely. What a schedule and she does it all in style and with such elegance. Thanks Mrs. O for being such an amazing FLOTUS.
just got home from the party. the president and mrs obama were the perfect hosts! happy chanukah to everyone!!
The White House has a video of this. Only the top is visible most of the time, but the picture on the video before it plays shows a purplish skirt.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/2010/12/02/hanukkah-white-house
@Sharon Nelson: Thanks for the link! I'd been poking around for it on the WH website but couldn't find it!
Love sequins this winter!
FLOTUS and POTUS are quite the couple. The White House is alive!
http://media.nola.com/religion_impact/photo/beth-israel-menorah-white-house-hanukkah-obamajpg-f8eef775b1e23448.jpg You can see details when it's fullscreen. It looks like an eggplant or chocolate brown skirt (is it a dress?) and black bodice or top with the midnight blue sequined cardi on top. the pin has green in it. Interesting mix of colors.
@peggy- Thanks for sharing that our First Family is genuinely sincere. @Sharon Nelson- Thanks for the link to the White House Chanukah Rededication. FLOTUS Michelle Obama is a celebration of lights wiith her smile and wearing symbolic blue styles.
That gorgeous cardigan is available from L'Wren Scott..it's two thousand dollars. Would make a great Christmas gift for someone special.
Very elegant... I love it!
You have got to be kidding me - a $2000 sweater!!
Yeah...so...she can wear whatever she wants and spend whatever she wants. Not coming out of the taxpayer's pockets...it's coming out of hers.
Goodness della scott and kumar, that almost looked casual. Almost. So, um, it didn't. Blah blah, $2,000. Who cares. He earned it, she can't work so she spent it. Move ON.
Love the outfit tonight. Mrs O is much braver than me - I'm a terrible matcher, I couldn't do purple, black and blue to save my life but she can and it looks cool.
Many thanks to sharon nelson for the link to the speech. That was wonderful - I love to learn new things, and I was seriously impressed by that lady starting a charity to benefit Afghan widows. Pretty incredible.
In terms of the cost ... I don't know for sure, but I feel somewhat confident that Mrs. O is not paying full retail. Most of the clothing is not bought through stores, but sent by the designers directly to the White House. So cutting out the retailer, I would think that the designers are charging at most the wholesale price, if not adding a discount on top that. To dress the first lady is obviously a tremendous honor, and they benefit from the exposure ... I would think there's incentive to give the first lady a bit of a deal! Again, I don't know for sure, but wanted to add that perspective.
Did any one know how much Laura Bush's designer suites cost when she was in the white house?
Posh, I'm sorry you misunderstood..I thought the cardigan was gorgeous and would make a very special gift for someone..The price is not the issue.
I'm sure most of our First Ladies have had to spend quite a bit, due to the fact that they are representing us, and are photographed often.
Plus, I think they get a discount from some designers, print ads cost much, much, more than a discount on a piece of clothing.
I find price interesting, because it is fun to admire these styles, and then seek out similar ones at more affordable prices.
@jay
Laura primarily wore Oscar de la renta suits while in the White House. Oscar's clothing can start at about $2,000 and go pretty high. I remember the dress she wore two years ago when FLOTUS and POTUS visted was an Oscar dress. The price of Mrs. Bush's clothing was never questioned. FLOTUS seems to be told that she is not allowed to like nice things. While Laura and her Oscar De La Renta suits were never brought into question, and it should have not been. FLOTUS and POTUS know the deal, they have to work twice as harder as their counterparts. Michelle should not have to justify her purchases to anyone, regardless if she payes $2,000 up front or not.
I can careless about the cost of these politicians, or celebrities outfits since I am not paying for them. Whether it's Cindy Mccain, Oprah and their pricey clothing, or male politicians and their expensive suits.
Sweater looks gorgeous and thanks for the perspective Mrs. T. - you are probably exactly right on cost and availabiltiy.
It would be unethical and probably not allowed per rules to get a discount from the designers.
Irrespective of who is wearing it - a $2000 sweater is a bit much. Over the top, actually!
Haha - I actually clicked on the link to get a better look at the sweater before I looked at the posting stream, and said to myself, "Self, you are sure to see the usual back and forth about the PRICE of this sweater," and, sure enough, some of you did not fail me! Congrats! Puhleeze........
Mrs. T I am sure is right in her assessment that designers probably charge First Ladies cost plus a small up charge. The publicity they get from Mrs. O does more for their sales than any fashion spread in a glossy mag ever would. I think we need to get off this PRICE bandwagon and be thankful that we have a FLOTUS who gives her all and always puts her best foot forward.
Now I will get off my soapbox and just wish all a Happy Hanukkah!
@Mia Monte
I could not have said it any better. Thank you
The reason I think she pays full price is it'd be illegal for her to gain something at the expense of government.
And you could define a discount as her making money (by saving money) off of her position as US First Lady.
I also feel like even if that's not the case that the perception of her getting a discount to wear luxurious clothes during a recession wouldn't sit well with the FOX set and that'd be another reason why she would pay full price.
Re Laura Bush people didn't care what she wore because a) she's a Republican and there's the perception that they are rich anyway so cost doesn't matter and b) we see Michelle is so down to earth and it clashes with the idea that she might also like the finer things and we didn't get that down to earth vibe from Laura
is the pin part of the carole tannenbaum collection?
Also, I believe she pays full price for her clothing. I believe that Ikram pulls the clothes and she of course pays Ikram directly. Anyway, the Kennedy Center Honors will be taped on December 5, so I cannot wait to see what FLOTUS will wear. I absolutely loved the purple dress she wore last year. Also, I hope in 2011 she starts wearing Maria Pinto again, because I love the way Maria's clothes fit FLOTUS.
FYI
The Obamas are millionaires.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/16/tax-day-showed-obamas-boo_n_540121.html
Anywho,
I'm loving the way FLOTUS is wearing her hair. I wonder how she gets the extra volume?
The sweater looks great on her as well.
We love Michelle and her family. She is gorgeous and it brings a smile to my face whenever I see her.
Best wishes for a happy holiday season to everyone.
Post Tater, you just had to go there! Call me naive, I did believe della street's initial comment was guenuine in admiring the sweater and how it would make a good gift, but instead you took it and twisted it into something ugly. That is why we barely get any new posters on this blog and why so many old posters leave and do not return. Just cut people some slack already! Gosh, at least give them the benefit of the doubt!
I have sweaters that cost close to 1600 and I am not a millionaire. It's investment dressing-paying for quality, classic clothes that last more than a season and I am not shopping every week. Now, back to FLOTUS--she is working it!
@ kumar, the only wallet to regulate is your own. That Mrs. O spends her money on whatever is really none of our business. Let's just enjoy the fashion and style!
I don't usually care for L'Wren Scott designs, but this is quite pretty! So respectful and sweet of the Obamas and Mr. Biden to include the colors of Chanukah (blue and silver) in their choice of outfits for the evening.
Vaguely related because President Obama left for Afghanistan shortly after this event and people here occasionally despair about his casual wear, here is a link to his greeting-the-troops-overseas wear. Mighty sharp, I think and even more impressive in motion. Gives a hint as to how he would look in clothes suggested by many of you here.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/whitehouse/5229572277/
Though I feel I have comments that would contribute to the first lady conversation going on here, I will refrain. As far back as I can remember (quite a ways), the current first lady of the land has always had withering criticism lobed at them, all of which I have always felt was grossly unfair to every single one of them.
By the way, lots of snow outside my window and more coming down. Glad I don't have to go anywhere.
For the record, the sweater is $2,995 on the website, not $2,000...so folks -it's .$3,000. It does not matter that they are millionaires. With so many people out of work, isn't it rather a "Let Them Eat Cake" moment? Very Republican.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/fashion/12IKRAM.html
According the the above NY Times article, designers work through Ikram. Jason Wu donated the inauguration gown to Mrs. Obama, as did Isabel Toledo. So those were not paid for.
Neem Khan also said he donated his state dinner dress.
It wouldn't be an ethics problem for the first lady to accept the donations, because she is not an employee of the executive branch. I do not know why the WH is so secretive about it.
@Mrs. C
The Obamas are pie eaters, rather than cake eaters. The President has spoken often about how much he loves pies. Last week in the Barbara Walters interview he mentioned that pie was on their Thanksgiving menu.
Mia I love pie!
So if FLOTUS wearing clothes she can afford independent of her current position makes her Marie Antoinette, who is she when she wears J Crew, Gap and Talbots?
OK, so maybe the sweater is indeed $2995. She can afford it, but she is in no way overtly suggesting that we all should spend comparable money on that kind of apparel, nor spending taxpayer dollars on the goods. But please don't forget, thanks to this woman who "moves markets," the $200, $300 and even the $100 knock-offs and siblings to these pieces will find a home, and the producers of those garments will be most grateful for the chance to make their numbers.
@ kumar & Mrs C:
As others have so eloquently pointed out, this particular first lady has received much criticism on the cost of her garments and accessories. Much unlike any first lady before her.
No one comments negatively (nor should they) on the Oscar de la Rentas, the customed designed pantsuits, or the myriad of haute couture clothing former first ladies have worn, without respect to political affiliation or the gross national product.
No . . . the difference here is that in some 'select & small-minded instances' the idea that a "Black" woman would be in such a role, and wear with panache and imagination clothing they cannot is . . . oh, let's just say "Unsettling" and so they snipe.
For the record, I don't want my first lady shopping at the Salvation Army or dumpster diving to satisfy the prejudice of a few. When I grew up, my Mom had 4 kids & after divorce she sewed & dress us in Goodwill couture. We looked fabulous, Mom had a great eye; and though their skin was not coco brown like mine, I admired & was inspired by the beauty & poise of Mrs. Kennedy, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Ford, Mrs. Reagan, Mrs. Carter, Mrs. Barbara & Laura Bush, and Mrs. Clinton.
Clearly, your narrow views and your intent to denigrate a lovely, accomplished, & compassionate woman is thankfully "in the minority."
Mrs C you are VERY transparent there are plenty of tea parties online...we drink coffee here.
Sorry Nora, this time, in my opinion, you are WRONG and Posh is right. I don't post as frequently because I just got sick and tired of posters like Mrs. C who only come here to complain when the First Lady of the United States wears something expensive. Think about the absurdity of that. Or whether she is paying for something or not. Where are they when she wears a $32.00 cardi from the Gap? They are not here to express opinions about whether they like her fashion or not and when they don't it is with such disrespect as if they are getting something off! Kentashi is absolutely correct. It is about the color of her skin and I am very naturally blond and very blue eyed. The goal of folks like this is to force Mrs. T to shut down a positive site about Mrs. O and they just might succeed. Pity.
FLOTUS looks HOT tonight. She is wearing a dark red form fitted dress, with her hair slicked back.
Live at White House http://www.whitehouse.gov/live/president-first-lady-host-kennedy-center-honorees-reception
Just notice how people only frame the 1st couple when they take pictures and record videos!
All I can say is YOWZAH - her outfit at the Kennedy Center Honors reception is amazing!!!
@Bevi
Isn't the dress AMAZING.
Wait until we see what Mrs O is wearing at the Kennedy Center Honor. Just gorgeous! The pictures are not clear yet.
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/107343082/AFP