Stunning in Peter Soronen
Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at 7:04 PM 
Image by Paul J. Richards / Getty Images
The first lady is a vision in blue this evening, wearing a stunning one-shoulder gown by the great American designer Peter Soronen. There is a quality about this look that is pure perfection -- at once timeless and timely, embodying a thoroughly American brand of glamour. From the classic, handcrafted gown, to the impeccably chosen accessories, our first lady has never looked better. What a moment!
The azure blue gown was created using three layers of fabric -- chiffon over lame chiffon and silk. As is Peter Soronen's signature, the gown features a corset top with a lace-up back. The concept of the gown, one-shoulder aside, recalls the lavender Peter Soronen dress Mrs. O wore for the Kennedy Center Honors in December.
Update: A new detail to report! Mrs. O's shoes last evening were Jimmy Choo "Jasper" Rhinestone sandals. The first lady also wore a pair of Sutra Jewels blue sapphire and diamond earrings. Click here to hear Peter Soronen talking about the gown on Access Hollywood!
Top two images Getty Images / Bottom image Reuters
Jimmy Choo, Peter Soronen, Sutra Jewels
Reader Comments (223)
very glamorous....not sure the bodice isn't pinching a little....I actually like her hair in the plainer styles- maybe because I like classic, and this looks a little foofy, but it is a very pretty look overall. I admire how tough a person has to be to be "in public" all the time and get photographed and critiqued...
Lovely Colour and accessories but the top part looks too tight, not tastefully done.
I don't think it enhaces her personality beautifully but all in all BOLD
Two thumbs up! The color and style were beautiful.
Now THAT is a dress!!
@Glammie, YOU GO GIRL, I couldn't have said it better myself, what's with all the backlash over one little bulge, I think everything about this ensemble head to toe is totally FLAWLESS.
On the other hand I'll join the people with thumbs down on Senora Zavala's outfit. She actually looked better in the prior photo with her hair down and the stylish blue dress & black coat. Her evening gown was rather unique and nice colors, but the black librarian shoes killed it for me, along with her hairdo and the shawl draped underneath the back collar of the dress.
I *love* her hair!
Gasp! She is so stunning. LOVE the hair. She and the Pres are just DASHING. Loved how appropos everything was with the Mexican theme with the decor, food, entertainment. Mrs. O is doing such an amazing job. Everyone, I highly recommend reading Michelle's brother's book, A Game of Character. He is such a great guy and the story of their childhood is so inspiring. Mr. & Mrs. Robinson are to be commended for being such tremendous parents who raised two stellar individuals. Lucky us!
comments on state dinner gown and MO style - "Ten lessons to learn" - via CNN/instyle here
great color on her and I love her hair. She's kinda falling out of the top tho.
But the bodice is SOOO ill-fitting, it looks like her top parts don't even have enough place in it. Not stylish at all, too gaudy and glittery. How could this ever be called stylish?
adorabile!Semplicemente perfetta.Credo sia anche dimagrita un po'.Splendida
stefania
I love the way Mrs. Obama looks except I don't like when her dress is so stiff (?) that it cuts into her skin and makes it bulge out over that part of the dress. I am sure it would stay up if it were eased a little. I've seen this with other strapless type dresses before. Otherwise it's beautiful especially the color and her hair.
Sorry, this outfit does not fit Mrs. Obama's body.
It looks like her left boob is being crushed by some wires! Ouch!
I just read all the posts and certainly the majority love Mrs. O and her style. I think she is a wonderful women. Many commented on the fit of the top, although everything else is perfection--especially love the belt. I would hate to have it appear that we are nit picking her--even though it appears to be what we are doing. What I am thinking is that Soronen needs to make sure the fit is right--maybe he needs to be there to make sure the dress fits exactly, or needs to have better measurements--whatever. It's up to him to make certain that the dress looks and feels comfortable, as well as being beautiful. I think there has been enough feedback for him to realize we want him to do better by our precious First Lady.
Dr.Obama steps out again today to work out with children. what a Goddess! she was wearing her L'wren Scott's cardi with her talbots' top. What an involved First Lady she is ! i think the WH will post a video of the event later.
http://www.daylife.com/search/photos/1/grid?q=Michelle-Obama
Dr. Obama ROCKS!! even in workout gear she is stylish....school em Doctor!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/26/camp-obama-first-lady-kic_n_590010.html
The First Lady was working it out yesterday on the South Lawn. Looking at the action photographs I love her top, her paints are cool too. http://www.blackcelebkids.com/2010/05/26/the-first-lady-kicks-off-lets-move-summer-series/
Much better than my workout gear. Which consists of sweats and hoodie. Off to the gym have a great day everyone.
MRS T ITS TIME TO UPDATED THE PICES OF MR O JUST SAW MRS O PICES SHE IS ON THE MOVE AGIAN.
Live Streaming of FLOTUS at Wayne State University Today:
http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/generic/news/live_stream_1
http://detnews.com/article/20100526/METRO/100525004
She is schedule to show at 10:30, but not there yet.
Yes, the color is beautiful but I have to disagree that the dress is. Mrs Obama's breasts are coming out for it seems to me too tight at that upper level. That whole part looks too compressed. The designer should have lift the fabric a bit upward so that one does not have this vision. That was almost the same mishap I saw in a purple dress worn by Mrs Obama at the Kennedy Center. So, I like for Mrs Obama to look gorgeous, stunning and refined all the times but this dress does not serve her well.
to penserlawson--exactly, and that Kennedy Center dress was another by Soronen. It was a beautiful dress, but again didn't look comfortable. She is too much a real women, active, on the go, not the type to wear a pinched fit. We have never had a First Lady of this quality. J. Kennedy was beautiful, but wasn't engaged with the American people, rather remote. I don't want Mrs. Obama turning cartwheels in her beautiful evening clothes, but I do want her clothing to fit to her--not her body having to fit to the clothes.
I love everything about the one-shoulder gown: the color, the design... Today I came across this picture of a dress that looks strangely similar to the gown... A one strap blue dress with a large belt...
http://www.stylehive.com/bookmark/rosenwerth-sadastyle-on-african-fashion-450181
Take a look and tell me what do you think about it...
Oh, I love her hair like that!