Mrs. O in Moschino

Image by Charles Dharapak / AP Images

The President and First Lady attended the annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. this morning. For the event, Mrs. O wore a matte lurex coat and matching cap-sleeve dress from the Moschino Pre-Spring 2010 collection. We saw a glimpse of the same coat in January 2010, here.

The choice is timely, as just this morning, Robin Givhan wrote of the first lady's view of fashion as a global business, adding: "One label regularly in rotation is Moschino, an Italian brand. She's worn it on a host of public occasions."

"President Prays for Peace in the Mideast" [NYT]

"National Prayer Visit Closes with Tribute to Rep. Gabrielle Giffords" [Politico]

Winter Wardrobe

Photo by Karen Bleier / Getty Images

Mrs. O attended a ceremony to celebrate the new Fisher House, which serves military families, on the campus of Naval Support Activity in Bethesda, Maryland today. For the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony, the first lady wore a grey and gold argyle skirt by Moschino paired with a grey turtleneck and black boots. The ensemble was topped by a Donna Karan coat, which the first lady debuted in New York this October.

Holiday Preview

Images by Jewel Samad / Getty Images

There are many reasons to enjoy the holiday season, and in this circle, the chance to admire the first lady's seasonal wardrobe is certainly one! Mrs. O is off to a fabulous start, wearing a navy and gold ensemble to host a preview of the White House holiday decorations for military families earlier today. The more formal attire didn't stop the first lady from getting in on the fun, as Mrs. O helped to decorate cookies and make holiday cards with military children.

Update: The first lady's navy and floral print lurex jacquard ensemble are pre-Fall 2010 Moschino! Though difficult to see in the photo's above, the pieces include a top, skirt and jacket. 

For more on the holiday preview, check out the videos below:

En Route to India

Top: Kevin Lamarque / Reuters, Bottom: J. Scott Applewhite / AP Photo

The Obamas are off to India! Following an overnight flight, the president and first lady will begin their tour of India tomorrow in Mumbai, where they will honor the victims of the Mumbai terrorist attacks. Also on the schedule are a business summit, Diwali celebrations, and, of course, dinners with Prime Minister Signh and his wife Gursharan Kaur.

Leaving the White House this morning, Mrs. O wore a floral blue dress paired with a textured camel-colored coat and knee length black boots. Compared to ensembles worn at the start of previous overseas trips (see here), this outfit doesn't have the same level of formality. Perhaps the first lady is consciously trying to avoid perceptions of extravagance? Or just traveling in comfort?

Regardless, there is bound to be exciting fashion in the days ahead, which will almost certainly pay tribute to Indian culture in some form. On Monday night there will be a state dinner in Delhi, which may be a prime occasion for Mrs. O to wear another of her fabulous Naeem Khan gowns. Yes, there are "three or four amazing" others, per this November 2009 WSJ interview. Or might Mrs. O honor her host nation by wearing a sari? 

Whenever Mrs. O travels abroad, a passage from one of my favorite books, Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years, springs to mind:

"Jacqueline Kennedy used clothing as theatrical device, dressing in subtle complement to her host nation. When she visited Versailles the Parisian couturier Givenchy was given due credit as the the author of her fresh but regal ensemble. For a trip to Mexico Cassini created a collection of outfits for her in appropriate "sun colors." And for the tour of India and Pakistan Jacqueline Kennedy assembled a wardrobe from various fashion houses with the panache of a costume designer. Its vivid palette was that of Mughal miniatures, and the reflective fabrics conferred an additional brilliance."

Mrs. O is setting a similar legacy with her thoughtful, carefully planned fashion choices during travel abroad. In a country with its own rich fashion heritage, it will be exciting to watch how she dazzles India.

A detailed schedule of the president and first lady's itinerary: [WSJ]

A few thoughts on what Mrs. O might wear in India: [WSJ]

Update: Mrs. O wears a Moschino sunburst print dress above.

Gold and Glitz

Image by Tim Sloan / Getty Images

The president and first lady attended the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute's 33rd Annual Awards Gala at the Washington Convention Center this evening. For the event, Mrs. O wore a bronze-gold cocktail dress, accessorized with bejeweled circular earrings and gold open-toe heels. Fabulous!

Update: Mrs. O wore a bronze sequin dress by Moschino!