Monday
May172010
One Fabulous Frock
Monday, May 17, 2010 at 5:49 PM 
Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton
The White House has a released a photo of the First Lady posing with participants from the Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride, taken three weeks ago. This is our first static look at the fabulous floral frock Mrs. O chose for the event. Any ideas on the designer? This dress is just beyond gorgeous!
Update: The first lady is wearing a Fall 2009 dress by Los Angeles-based designer Barbara Tfank. For more on the designer, click here.
tagged Barbara Tfank
Barbara Tfank
Reader Comments (124)
Mrs.O removes her overcoat. what a beautiful dress. the fabric is gorgeous!
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Michelle-Obama/ss/events/pl/050108michelleobama#photoViewer=/100519/480/urn_publicid_ap_org_cb4f81f20bc445299066daa15455b03e
and Here she is (with Mrs.Zavala) having fun with the kids
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0cIbdGlejZ5LL
more pics
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Michelle-Obama/ss/events/pl/050108michelleobama#photoViewer=/100519/480/urn_publicid_ap_org5dd3814e54f842fd992157035d3403e7
The bib necklace is fabulous!!!!! I want it.
You know, I stayed out of the fight about Mrs. O's facial expressions, but I am looking at the daylife and yahoo pictures, and every one chosen are not of her looking natural. She's in the midst of some sort of expression each time. That's very frustrating and I find it not be an innocent coincidence.
And I think she has worn her hair back because of the afternoon event where she knew she'd be with children and being active, as is evidenced by the picture chrystelle provided, with Mrs. O and Mrs. Z running in the auditorium. It is a no muss, no fuss look, and she's got a lot of running around to do before she has to get glammed up. It makes no sense to stress her hair now when she's got to get glammed up this evening. It's practical.
I would add that the red is a lovely color, the fit of the coat and dress are simple and clean, and the necklace adds a nice flair to this otherwise "safe" outfit. Given the political issues surrounding this visit with Mexico (immigration), as well as the fact that we're still in the middle of tough economic times, her minimalist approach to this outfit is smart.
@Chrystelle, thank you for posting those links. Here is another one for you, a slide show from the HuffPo http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/19/obamas-welcome-calderons-_n_581757.html #8 shows that stunning necklace in great detail.
Great color and shape on the coat, but can anyone tell what's going on with the hem? It looks uneven and puckery -- is there a detail that doesn't show up well in the pictures?
Mrs. T - go, go, go and enjoy! Don't even think about the website. We'll be here when you return.
Here's an idea to keep us all busy while you are away: you have provided us with a blogroll that I have never managed to get thru. Perhaps by starting there, and then providing suggestions to one another about other sites we enjoy, we could survive without you and expand our horizons a bit!
If you leave us with a final story on the homepage, I'll bet we could survive in your absence!
all - i know i'm a relative newcomer but, based on comments over several postings, i think that chrystelle and wanda have a longer history across several blogs. can the rest of us just move on and not stoke the flames?
on that note, i'm in agreement that this outfit is gorgeous! Mrs T, I really love Mrs. O's latest necklace. Can you please let find out who made it for interested buyers?!
I have no idea what Nic John is talking about hair-wise (nor do I care), but that link provides a great close up of MO's necklace. It's gorgeous.
As is she . . .
a glimpse of her dress without the overcoat. do you guys think there is some sort of draping?
http://www.daylife.com/photo/09wOdWVetu1wc?q=Michelle-Obama
from another angle
http://www.daylife.com/photo/02RUbaheuDaDl?q=Michelle-Obama
Mrs.Zavala without her coat. i also love her outfit.
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0c7H1GWdsNdto?q=Michelle-Obama
@ chrystelle - it does look like some kind of draping. As usual, the details of what Mrs. O wears is what makes her outfit special. I love the first picture you provided. Thank goodness, I was getting annoyed that there were no favorable shots up on those websites.
It's definitely draped off to her right side. And it looks like a soft, lightweight knit of some kind - very fluid. When she is sitting down and leaning forward, the bodice is not nearly as close fitting as I initially thought. Beautiful color.
The necklace ! Tell us about the necklace!
Absolutely in love with this dress and as always it looks gorgeous on her!
Let's all be honest please. Michelle's dress is not well fitting and look really draping. I love the necklace , so beautiful .
Sorry for the slight lag on my part -- new post and photos are up!
@Ari
Let's see if the Cincinnati Kid will follow through on denisegirl's suggestions and thanks for posting the names of some AA designers.
to Cincinnati Kid
it would be nice to see her in more black fashions.
by the way, one black designer in case it has not been mentioned, was oscar de la renta son
http://mrs-o.org/newdata/2009/9/28/mrs-o-wears-de-la-renta.html#comments
Love this dress and thanks for supporting our troops!!
Signed US ARM RECON (DAV)
Absolutely beautiful!
just wanted to post for the record Barbara Tfank's designs are fabulous. she mentions liz taylor in the type of style she wants to evoke and that exactly who i think of when i saw her clothes. total glamor
her dressy coats are fantastic, swing coats in beautiful silks and satins.EVERYBODY should have a swing coat, they look great on everybody. i wish mrs o wears some of those coats, the calvin klein coats dont really do anything for her. another designer i hope she wears is believe or not, victoria beckham.
Mrs. T, as far as the honeymoon, you should figure out a way to give someone the keys to keep your business running. Or direct us to the community site on your website and figure out a way to let us post Mrs. O's pictures, and give strict guidelines on posting.
Thanks for all of the suggestions! At a minimum I will provide sources for Mrs. O coverage elsewhere. xoxo
H & M produced a very similar dress. I have it in light green. Gorgeous and the same cut. The material is different.