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Michelle Obama Stuns in Strapless Gown at State Dinner

by Bee-Shyuan Chang (Subscribe to Bee-Shyuan Chang's posts)
Posted Nov 25th 2009 at 11:42AM  
43 Comments
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The Obamas at the White House state dinner.

Michelle Obama looks radiant in a glamorous Naeem Khan gown at last night's state dinner. Photo: Associated Press

Last night's most coveted ticket was no doubt an invite to the Obamas' first state dinner.

As the hostess of the annual affair, Michelle Obama stunned in a sterling silver sequin abstract floral, one-of-a-kind nude gown by Naeem Khan -- the designer created the dress especially for the India-themed event. (The honored guests of the evening were Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur.)

While Mrs. O accessorized elegantly with a color-coordinated wrap, stack of silver and gold churis (traditional Indian bangles) and dramatic shoulder-dusting earrings with fleur-de-lis detail and gold and purple stones, it was the strapless silhouette paired with her swept-back hair that really caught our eye.

MO's state dinner ensemble has fashion insiders applauding her social know-how.

"The nice thing about it is the Jackie Kennedy sort of appropriateness. Most people wouldn't know one way or another about Naeem's background, but if one sentence gets mentioned to the prime minister, then her subtleness would pay off," Hal Rubenstein, fashion director at InStyle magazine, told Associated Press.

As for President Obama, who has had a snafu or two with fashion (er, mom jeans anyone?), Rubenstein approves. "I often feel Obama's suits are too big on him, but I think he got a new tux."

Michelle Obama's highly scrutinized sartorial choices have clearly influenced the fashion industry, too. One of her favorite designers recently took home the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund prize.
Read All Comments
Filed under: News
Tags: dresses, Hal Rubenstein, Indian Style, Michelle Obama, Naeem Khan, President Obama, state dinner, tuxedo, White House
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READER COMMENTS

(43)Add A Comment

Jackie, 11-28-2009, 2:32AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Jackie

I think Michelle Obama is a big manly looking woman, nothing feminie about her, an shes ugly..geeezzz.

Reply »

Kristina, 11-25-2009, 8:57PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Kristina

Michelle Obama is so beautiful. :)

Reply »

radar, 11-26-2009, 11:41AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
radar

mmmeeettt'''''''sure its fine to look jus b careful n where u look ok i got lucky myself got a local girl from a weekly magazine like a fair trader magazine but diff title...u look alot of places wish u best of luck b careful so hes nice to you not violent or n2 drugs etc.....happy thanksgiving too

Reply »

jazz, 11-25-2009, 9:27PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
jazz

that qown is amazinq!!
michelle obama always dresses sharp and clean cut!!
very beautiful woman

Reply »

alschrod, 11-26-2009, 2:15PM

Half a star vote downvote upReport
alschrod

I'm a not-easilly-impressed 75yr-old, and when I first saw that long-distance shot of Mrs. Obama in that white gown, it took my breath away! Knowing she is a rather ordinary-looking black woman with the typical hip and butt problem, it really did my heart good to see how elegant she looked in that shot.

Reply »

MELISSA, 11-26-2009, 3:04AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
MELISSA

alschrod,
after reading various comments that you have posted I have come to the unsolicited conclusion that you are a pretty nice person. Which left me even more surprised that you would make the following statements: "black woman with the typical hip and butt problem." I just wish to inform you that this shape is no more a problem for black woman than for other groups of people having very little hips or butts. The problems comes in when the media educates society on what people should look like in order to be accepted. Human bodies are a product of what was needed to survive in a particular environment over time - evolution. I'm not trying to stir the pot, just wanted you to think about your comment. Take care.

»

Sandy, 11-25-2009, 9:55PM

2.5 stars vote downvote upReport
Sandy

While I am usually an extreme critic, this gown is beautiful and Mrs. Obama is elegant. She looks wonderful.

Reply »

weezee, 11-25-2009, 9:55PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
weezee

The gown was GORGEOUS. Doesn't mean Michelle herself is a stunner.

Reply »

graycottag, 11-25-2009, 10:19PM

2.5 stars vote downvote upReport
graycottag

She could, indeed, wear a garbage bag and still look stunning. The problem is that most American women have never been taught a sense of style... Michelle knows what looks good on her, and wears it. Many women never take the time to look at themselves and what works and what doesn't, so they just give up and consider a clean football jersey and a pair of tight jeans to be classy. Look at all the women over 30 who still think that capri pants don't make their butt look big......

Reply »

weezee, 11-25-2009, 10:24PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
weezee

Clothes don't make the woman. The woman makes the clothes. Michelle Obama always looks angry for some reason. Her clothes may be perfectly tailored to her body but her face is not friendly-looking.

Reply »

mtnmanjames123, 11-25-2009, 10:26PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
mtnmanjames123

BOO, halloween is over!

Reply »

linda, 11-25-2009, 10:37PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
linda

Christina and Suzanne...YOu can only guess what I look like topless...and what is the state of my self esteem. To set the record straight, I am well endowed, naturally, in both areas. No self esteem problems here...just telling it like it is. Get some glasses and have a nice day.

Reply »

sbhappe34, 11-25-2009, 10:44PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
sbhappe34

This is the nicest she has looked. Where is the belt and the pins. They spend so much time apart and their body language tells the feelings they portray to the public is false. I'm meaning when they are together. The Clintons were that way. The list goes on and on.

Reply »

linda, 11-25-2009, 10:52PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
linda

sb...I agree with you. This is the first beautiful dress I have seen her wear, and it appears that she is trying to hold her shoulders up this time. Her slump is atrocious....as has been her wardrobe. The hype amazes me about her being in a bracket with Jackie O. I don't get it...and there's really no way to escape it....EVERYBODY is crazed with worshipping her and her husband. So, so very overrated.

»

mary, 11-25-2009, 10:52PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
mary

when i see such a long post as tex wrote i dont even bother to read it . i think that goes for most folks? also, michelle is not ugly but average looking.. but as far as the gown goes, it was inappropriate.she should have kept the wrap on she had earlier

Reply »

GHH, 11-25-2009, 10:51PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
GHH

Can we please go one day without having to listen to or looking at Obama or his homely wife. She will never be another Jackie O no matter how hard the media tries.

Reply »

mary, 11-25-2009, 11:02PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
mary

weezee...when i see folks calling the obamas names such as chimp & baboon it shows me that they are uneducated, childish, & racist low class individuals

Reply »

James F., 11-25-2009, 11:03PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
James F.

Where was your article and picture of her getting of Air Force One looking like anything, but a first lady

Reply »

weezee, 11-25-2009, 11:19PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
weezee

mary... When did unattractive become a race? It seems that you are the one who is uneducated. You are the one with race on your mind. Perhaps it is you who are the racist.

Reply »

Kaylee, 11-25-2009, 11:24PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Kaylee

Holey crap guys! Grow up! Stop calling names, its getting ridiculous. I'm feeling kind of reminiscent of 4th grade reading these comments. "Ohh she is soo ugly, she has a cold heart, she looks like a monkey! They are retarded!". Grow up, get a life. I think that the dress is pretty and she is not beautiful but she is a fairly pretty woman. idiots!

Reply »

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