First Look: Welcoming President Hu Jintao
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 11:45 AM 
Photos by Mark Wilson / Getty Images
The First Lady attended a state arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House this morning, wearing a navy wool coat and embellished dress. Red gloves added Mrs. O's signature "pop of color."
The First Lady is set to discuss the China state visit with high school and college students at Howard University later this morning, which may give us a better glimpse at this dress.
Women's Wear Daily reports:
There’s a new name to add to the MObama fashion clique: Roksanda Ilincic. The First Lady greeted Chinese President Hu Jintao on Wednesday morning wearing a beaded wool and duchess silk satin dress and wool coat from the London-based designer's fall 2010 collection. The look is available at Net-a-Porter.com, Blake in Chicago and Linda Dresner in Michigan.
It's difficult to say until we see the full ensemble, but I believe this may be a similar skirt to the one the first lady is wearing, on sale at Net-a-Porter.com (UK), here.
Photo via the Obama diary
For more great coverage, check out photos and posts on these blogs:
Vogue.com (UK) caught up with designer Roksanda Ilincic yesterday. To read: [Vogue.com UK]
Roksanda Ilincic
Reader Comments (47)
"Oy" to the gloves. Love the color; I have a couple of pair of red gloves myself. But that shiny vinyl (or whatever it is) makes them look cheap.
Love the textured combination of the matte navy jacket with the shiny red gloves. A patriotic combination, too.
Lovely! The embellishments on her top, skirt and coat are beautiful but the dark navy color keeps it appropriate for day. I really like those gloves too. Can't wait to hear what she has to say to the students at Howard U. and get a glimpse of her State Dinner gown.
Here's a photo of her entire outfit:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2b_SPCr78uQ/TTcKydaBapI/AAAAAAAAVG0/BoMv5_urVaI/s1600/arrival%2B4.jpg
Mrs. O ls fabulous as always. I have been looking for purple leather gloves, but will now be looking for burgundy as well. Here is a better picture of the dress: http://obamadiary.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/mb2.jpg?w=688&h=495 I can't wait for the pictures from the State Dinner! I understand that they will be playing jazz tonight.
There has been speculation that Mrs. Obama might wear a Vera Wang dress tonight. I don’t feel that it would be seemed as negative if she chooses not to wear a Vera Wang dress. Ultimately it is up to Mrs. O to feel comfortable in the dress she wears.
It's also worth noting that Sasha Obama attended the welcoming ceremony with her classmates.(Refer to more pictures at http://theobamadiary.com/)
Love it. She is sooo chic and I love the pop of color from the gloves. I watched the livestream of her at Howard University, and the dress has silk sleeves and it's lovely and fitted.
Thanks to all who sent other images of the dress! Those gloves or the sheen on them, not really diggin' although the color is nice.
Waaaooouuh ! I love this dress with its coordinating coat. Light grey bubbles, silver, red burgundy, navy, she's almost French !
LOVE MRS OBAMA GLOVE ITS CLASSIE JUST LIKE HER LOVE HER DRESS TO
As the First Lady, unless paying tribute to another country, Mrs. Obama should only wear American designers.
Isn’t she lovely?
Isn’t she wonderful?
Isn’t she precious?
Wearing her beautiful burgundy/red gloves!
I'm truly loving those patent leather gloves; very chic indeed!
Thanks for the pictures Ari and Sylenna M!
Leave it to Mrs. O to be fabulous and in fashion! Love the pop of color with the red patent leather gloves.
Thanks for all the links ladies!! Soaking it all up!! My anxiety is overwhelming awaiting the state dinner tonight.
Look at the detail of the dress. http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2010/12/michelle_obama_13.html#photo=1x76354
I love that Michelle O is the first First Lady since Jackie Kennedy that anyone even cares what she's wearing, much less anticipating what she'll wear to a state dinner.
So when do the photos come out, should I just keep refreshing the page? LOL!
I love the gloves,... so fashion forward & compliments the navy coat so very well.
May I just say that Mrs. O rocks the patent leather!! I have emulated her ever since the train ride to DC for the Inauguration where she wore black patent leather boots with a big patent leather black purse and a camel colored cashmere coat....my favorite outfit ever. Anyone have a photo? Anyway, not only patent leather, but red! Those gloves are fabulous and she looks wonderful. I think the week in Hawaii did her good. She looks rested and ready to go! Love them so much!
I believe the quote, "Fashion fades, only style remains the same." refers to Michelle Obama. She is quite the expert when it comes to fashion and always looks marvelous. What an inspiration she is to the world. Not only health and fitness wise but also mentoring wise, and fashion wise. Good bless First Lady Michelle Obama! She is stunning, miraculous, and radiant.
The dress, coat and boots are lovely. The color pop of the gloves is also lovely. But I don't like the material of the gloves - they are too shiny! I agree with previous poster that they would not look so cheap if they wre made of a soft leather instead of patent leather. Otherwise Mrs Obama looks beautiful.
I have a great feeling that we will be seeing red tonight for the State Diner...I can't hardly wait!
I love the fact that she always does the unexpected...as much as I love fashion...I probably would have never done red patent gloves...I loooove them...she looks great as usual....loving the dress and coat......
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/19/michelle-obama-roksanda-ilincic-china_n_811121.html#226270
I think you got the skirt designer from the looks of this picture.
Anyone else see Mr. O wasting away?
http://westorlandonews.com/2011/01/19/is-obamas-weight-loss-due-to-stomach-parasites/
HMMMM - I'm not feeling those shiny gloves and no one else is wearing gloves. If it is really that cold then maybe she should button her coat.
Love her hair and makeup.
She is a gorgeous First Lady !
Those aren't just red gloves, they are more like OX BLOOD red - rich and in colour and symbolism. Particularly since red in Chinese culture denotes good luck and celebration. And for this very reason I'm betting on Mrs. O continuing the imperial look by wearing either gold or yellow at the state dinner this evening...
Here's a woman who never fails to align politics and fashion. Smart!
Cheers!
Mrs. O. looks glamorous, as always. Love the gloves!!!!
Help me! smelling salts please! Cspan now
The first lady looks stunning in the red dress.
Wait ... have you guys seen the dress? I have CSPAN on ... If you have, please describe!
It is a full flowing red dress with splashes of what looks like black and she is wearing a thin black shawl. The straps are not symmetrical, typical MO. Really avante garde. Her her is up with ringlets. She look so lovely, I am having difficulty expressing myself. THIS IS THE BEST I'VE EVER SEEN HER! Yes, I know I'm screaming.
I saw the dress on CNN as the Obama's were welcoming the Chinese president. Red satin with asymetrical shoulder, black shawl, hair upswept - in short- fabulous!
OMG! When she walked out i literally screamed!! Best state dinner gown EVER!!!!
Here we go
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Hu-Jintao-State-Visit-Washington/ss/events/pl/011811statevisit#photoViewer=/110119/480/urn_publicid_ap_org9907bf1b65b940dd913cdd02735c9708
The gown is Alexander McQueen - very stunning. She looks amazing, although I would've liked to see her with a softer hairdo! But that's minor.
LOLAPALLOOOOOZZZZAAA! She looks smashing in this red dress! I love it! As usual, everything is perfect - the hair, the make up, the accessories, the gorgeously styled dress. Amazing!! President Obama is at his most handsome. What a stunning couple!!
Here is a large view of the Alexander McQueen dress for State Dinner. I want to see a video of her walking in it. I am sure it flows beautifully. If link doesn't open to large picture just click on it. You can then go to the others at the bottom and see her hair, back of dress and side view. I was looking for the picture of FLOTUS on the train at the Inauguration and was amazed at how much her makeup and hair has changed since Jan 2009... much more sophisticated
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/19/michelle-obama-china-dress-state-dinner_n_811320.html#226576
Adiez here is the coat and purple gloves from the Whistle Stop Train Tour that you wanted to see
http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/RzlpGOB6pPm/Barack+Obama+Holds+Whistle+Stop+Train+Tour/N7EMOGlyOC_/Jill+Biden
Absolutely wonderful First Lady!!! Mrs Obama ROCKS!!!
Mrs. O looks great! I love the color of the coat and did anyone else just love those gloves! I also noticed that the gloves match the President's tie.
Video from the Howard University speech http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf9L1RKaUZQ
I am just so happy to see such a beautiful happy First Lady, without those stuffy suits, I just love those hot gloves, she wore. I to love to wear gloves on lots of different occasions. She definite has the knack for putting all the right colors together, even from the inaugurtion out fit that she wore. She always look so profession and polish.I have never seen her in an outfit that I did not like
on her with that wonderful body to go with it. She makes me want to exercise. Stay wonderful and beautiful.
I was watching coverage of Hu Jintao's visit and caught a glimpse of Michelle Obama warmly greeting Hillary Clinton and Jill Biden, among others. She was so beautiful, so luminous, I couldn't tear my eyes away. Be that as it may, I tuned in later and recoiled at the sight of her red & black, Alexander McQueen, off-the-shoulder number. For a state dinner. Please, Mrs. Obama, stick that thing in the back of the closet, next to the other red-and-black fiasco you wore on election-night.
For the record, Flotus's lack of fashion savvy is usually refreshing. She's young and full of life, adorable in her twin sets and multiple layers; in shiny vinyl and too-high belts; even in too-tight pants. It sends a message that she disdains superficiality, that she's concentrating on things far more important than glamor don'ts.
But I implore you, Madame First Lady, find a designer you like--one who knows classic style AND has a sense of history--and book him or her in advance for the next state event.
Beautiful dress and coat...the gloves add just the right amount of zing. The Chinese are very conservative in their dress, so this is very appropriate.
@ caterchik,
Your commentary on the First Lady's State Dinner gown was way over the top. Just where the heck do you get the nerve to try to castigate this grown woman on her choices, and when and how she should wear them. You have some darn nerve, and you need to check yourself. Now before you assume the defensive crouch of the cowardly critic with the usual refrain of "in my humble opinion" or "this is a fashion blog and everyone is entitile to their opinions", let me say I agree with you up to a point. Even if you disagree with the First Lady's choices, that does not in any way give you the right to literally insult this woman's integrity and right to dress as she pleases. So much so when you have the nerve to make the following statement, and I quote, "but I implore you, Madame First Lady, find a designer you like - one who knows classsic style AND has a sense of history - and book him or her in advance for the next state event", then you deserve to be SOUNDLY and LOUDLY castigated for your demonstrated hate or at the very least for your inability to clearly offer an alternative view without your sly disregard and condescension. You may not like the style of the gown, but you know what, no one but yourself could give a flying fig what you think, and judging by the responses of many others on this blog, the First Lady's overall look was a BIG WIN. Maybe you are one of those who leans towards a more "classic" (some my call it a more BORING") style, well then, that's fine. too. At no time is the First Lady telling you you must adopt her style; she's is not, so you need to be more adult about this whole thing and acknowledge that even though you may not like her style, she has the right to wear without you and others like yourself think ing that for one minute you have the right to treat her like some adolescent and tell her what she must and must not wear because by implication she doesn't have a clue, knowledge, expertise or education to know how to dress appropriately. For the past 2 years this woman (and her husband) has had to put with a lot of crap from the likes of you who appoint yourselves the "fashion police" and proceed to spew their hate and venom indiscrimately every time she ventures out of the White House. THIS CONTINUED HATE-FEST MUST END NOW! I say to you and your happy band of "self-righteous, self-appointed critics", if the First Lady wears something you don't like or if she continually "disappoints" you, then skip this blog and go somewhere else where you will find kindred spirits amongst the usual haters, baggers, right-wing nutjobs, and everyday Obama-haters. This type of vitriol is not welcomed here. This is a MICHELLE-FRIENDLY ZONE!
Oh my! Those gloves are an inspired touch!!! What a pop of uber chic, LOVE IT! The outfit without them would have been cool, but they are brilliant. Wow.
Those commenters who are critical—even contemptuous—of the First Lady's fashion choices here, on huffpost, and elsewhere seem to want Mrs. Obama to dress in a staid, old-fashioned way. Personally, I suspect they're mostly racist, sour-grapes types who can't bear to see our stunning Valkyrie represent this country. Those who are not racists and pissed-off republicans have perhaps neglected to notice the fashionable, sometimes edgy, way modern-day wives of heads of state in Europe and even the Middle East are dressing. These people say the First Lady is not "appropriate;" try comparing her to other youngish women in similar positions!
In my opinion althought this is a dress, it would have been nicer as a top with a plain solid skirt or perhaps just not so many embellishments near the hemline. In the photo with her hand over her heart it doesn't look like the dress lies very well against the body. I do love the navy color palette on her, though. Great coat. Her hair and makeup look great. And I have to agree with many posters about the gloves. Perhaps a softer, more buttery leather would have been nicer. But they do coordinate with her husband's tie!
Please let us know where we might find those red patent leather gloves. Very unusual and quite stylish!