American Royalty
Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 3:52 PM 
Photo by Chris Jackson / Getty Images
Mrs. O has arrived at this evening's state banquet at Buckingham Palace wearing a divine ivory gown and gloves. In an instant, this will become one of the First Lady's most iconic looks. The ivory hue conjures up fresh memories of the royal wedding. The long gloves dial up the drama further. The fit is perfection.
Per the Telegraph's @HilaryAlexander on Twitter: "I think Michelle Obama's gorgeous white gown at Buckingham Palace, London, tonight might be Tom Ford." Peter Hunt, Royal correspondent for the BBC, is also reporting that the gown is Tom Ford. Wow!
With the designer confirmed, Hilary Alexander has gone on to note that the gown is a "ingenious choice" as Tom Ford is an American designer with design headquarters in London.
Reader Therese has shared this link, which shows Jacqueline Kennedy at Buckingham Palace in 1961. Perhaps Mrs. Kennedy's ensemble was a source of inspiration?
"Obama and Queen Elizabeth Trade Toasts" [Chicago Sun-Times]
Tom Ford
Reader Comments (145)
Let me tell you, Twitter is just blowing up about this dress. And the consensus: STUNNING.
As Hilary Alexander put it, " Ingenious choice as he's American (Tom Ford) and his design HQ is London".
Now somewhere Oscar De La Renta is having a hissy fit...wait for it.
Flawless. Perfect fit. Perfect choice. And the gloves are lovely - kind of a step back in time. The last time I saw a First Lady in them was Jackie Kennedy, who used to wear them often.
I like the dress but I think if it was some sort of a golden tone it would have been better.
What a vision to behold...Like Nigerians would say "nothing do you Mrs. Obama". Thanks for representing, I'm in awe.
The dress is beautiful and FLOTUS looks awesome. My favorite look is still the dress she wore in Chile.
I find the comments about swinging arms and such nonsense oddly disturbing and somewhat trollish.
Beyond sensational! I, too, gasped when I saw the first pics. I've never seen her more stunning. Mrs. O truly is a supernova of a star--love her, admire her, respect her!
This dress is lovely. Although I am not a fan of white formal gowns, so it is not one of my favorites. I love that random people on this blog somehow think they are experts on etiquette and can school the first lady. Whatever. She doesn't need any lessons and is great as she is.
Stunning!
Our Michelle is simply devine! I cannot begun to describe my joy at seeing these lovely pics! I'm overwhelmed at her loveliness.
Just GORGEOUS!
I think her look may have been inspired by the Kennedy's visit to Buckingham Palace in 1961.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/royalty/5125745/Queen-Elizabeth-II-with-Presidents-of-the-United-States.html?image=8
There aren't words enough... There aren't words enough... the woman is BREATHTAKING!!!
One can only wonder what went through the president's mind when he saw his First Lady.
FLOTUS looks stunning, wow. I love the rapture between the Obamas and Queen, enjoy how warm the Queen and Michelle Obama seems to be towards each other.
She looks fantastic, this is my third favorite look after the McQueen and the Naeem Khan, good old Phil looks positively giddy.
Exquisite and elegant! Love the gloves!
Mrs. O looks amazing. Wow!
I am a little strange and whenever Mrs. O looks stunning I only scan for the negative comments not the ones about "I think that the dress should have been this color or she should not have worn that brooch" fashion and style are very subjective, but the ones about her swinging her arms are just hilarious. It amazes me how people scratch the bottom of the barrel to be negative or she should have known that it was going to be windy and worn a narrow skirt. Keep these comments coming, they make me lMAO.
I agree with Ladywatcher. Michelle Obama at her most stunning look to date.
@ ThatOtherMimi, I'm with you. The red McQueen first, the Naeem Khan second, and this Tom Ford third.
Lovely.
SENSATIONAL!!! Mrs. O, simply WOW!!! She out does herself!!! Geez, I'm speechless over here!!!
@Bee Gee Mrs. O removed her gloves at the same time that the Queen did. I guess they both need to be taught a little etiquette..
@ Ty.....I gree...notin do FLOTUS....the woman dey represent....BIG TYME! Love this look the glove are a classy tribute with her personal flair...I adore her style...
I gasped just now when I saw this on NBC Nightly News. Beyond elegant, truly beyond!
Perfection!
stunning! the earrings seem to be cathy waterman? anyway to confirm?
Ah.... so lovely! She looks polished and the entire ensemble is perfection. Compare what she wore to the Inaugural Ball to *THIS* and it's clear how beautifully her style has evolved and matured.
Please vote President Obama in again next year ... the next Inaugural will be a fashion event!
I'm Canadian unfortuntely or I'd help you out with the voting..... :o)
I rarely post, but need to say......OMG she looks AMAZING!!!!!
Our first lady is a Goddess! Absolutely stunning!!!!!
Our own, know how to hold their own. Wonderful, wonderful!!!!!!
bee - u - tee - full!!!!!!!
Mrs. T and readers might be interested in this article:
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/news/three-fashion-icons-and-their-special-relationships-2288616.html
It mentions "the Obama effect".
She looks really amazing, very royal and very soft. I'm impressed, I really didn't know what to expect.
Stunninggggggg!!
S T U N N I N G!!
Serious fashion sense. Absolute perfection. Gorgeous.
O my God, fabulous, I am lost for words to describe Michele's look. Absolutely stunning.
Mr President, you are also looking oustanding
Checked the link with reference to Jackie O and do agree
She's our modern day Jackie. They make me SO proud. So beautiful, statuesque, elegant, intelligent, inspiring. Love them. Love her. Love the dress. Perfection.
Checked the link with reference to Jackie O and do agree
This should have been the inaugural dress. How she has evolved. Bravo Mrs. O!
Love the gown on Michelle! She really wowed me with this one!
Would love to know more about her earrings. Anyone know what stones and who they're from?
BACK OF DRESS..... the BBC showed the back of dress in a live video today but their site has seemed to condense the videos now. However if you go to the end of this video at about minute 2:08 you can get a glimpse of the back of her dress when Mrs O stands for the toast from the Queen. It is almost at the end of the video and you have to look quickly because once she stands the floral arrangement blocks the full view The back is as stunning as the front.
http://www.anglotopia.net/british-identity/politics/uk-state-visit-video-highlights-from-president-obamas-state-visit-to-britain-queens-state-dinner-speech-inside/
This Washington Post video of the state dinner entrance gives a view of the back of Mrs. O's fabulous gown. Love, LOVE, LURVE IT!!!
She looks beautiful. But all of your comments regarding the gloves are typical of American ignorance. One should never wear gloves in the presence of the Queen.
Few designers can make sophisticated style look effortless. Mr. Ford on Mrs. O is pure bliss.
By the way, Hillary looked GREAT in Oscar de la Renta Pre-Fall collection! http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/slideshow/2011PF-ODLRENTA?event=show2202&designer=design_house78&trend=&iphoto=58#slide=58
Nora, not necessarily so
*Rachel Zoe voice*
Oh. My. God.
I. Die.
Shut. It. Down.
Hallo Gorgeous!!!
I LOVE IT!! She looks so BEAUTIFUL! I love everything about it. And I must say my President is looking very dapper in his coattails. They are a beautiful couple. Oh, did I mention I love the dress. LOL, I JUST LOVE IT!
Mrs. O looks truly wonderful in this Tom Ford creation...in some ways it reminds me of a gown that Mrs. Kennedy wore, although her's was in a lovely sea-foam green shade, for a WH dinner honoring American Nobel prize winners...it has a rather Grecian look to it that shows off her wonderful figure. For me it is the loveliest gown she has worn since that stunning dress that she chose for the State Dinner honoring the Prime Minister of India in 2009. Absolute perfection...Brava Michelle!!!
@nora a little wind never did marlin monroe any harm :-)