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Michelle Obama Wears Leopard and Lace to Host White House Dance Series

by Katie Hintz-Zambrano (Subscribe to Katie Hintz-Zambrano's posts)
Posted Sep 8th 2010 at 8:05PM  
624 Comments
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Michelle Obama Style Evolution
Michelle Obama became a style icon from the moment she first hit TV screens. Here, we take a look back at some of her most notable fashion moments.
AFP/Getty Images

Style Evolution: Michelle Obama

Washington, DC, September 7, 2010

Style Evolution: Michelle Obama

Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, August 24, 2010
Mrs. Obama wears a multi-print tunic dress while on a vacation dinner date with the president. Michelle pairs her loose top with black leggings, flats and gold jewelry.

Style Evolution: Michelle Obama

Panama City Beach, Florida, August 14, 2010
Mrs. Obama keeps it casual in a Banana Republic dreamer dip-dye cami during a round of mini golf with her family. The top is available at Banana Republic stores and online at BananaRepublic.com.

Style Evolution: Michelle Obama

Pascagoula, Miss., Friday, July 23, 2010
The First Lady wore a Peter Som dress at the christening ceremony for the third U.S. Coast Guard National Security vessel, which is named after the Coast Guard's first female commissioned officer, Dorothy C. Stratton.

Style Evolution: Michelle Obama

Washington, DC, July 21, 2010
Mrs. Obama was dressed in a bright pink Isabel Toledo top and pants ensemble during a White House luncheon for recipients of the National Design Awards. Michelle accessorized with a gorgeous Erickson Beamon pin on the shoulder of her top.

Style Evolution: Michelle Obama

Washington, DC, July 19, 2010
The First Lady wore a lime green jersey pants suit made by Stephen Burrows to speak with students from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and the Joy of Motion Dance Center, while they rehearsed a piece from the Broadway show 'Hairspray' at the White House. Mrs. O paired her suit with an Erickson Beamon techno deco belt.

Style Evolution: Michelle Obama

San Diego, California, June 13, 2010
Mrs. O wore a back and white geometric print Liz Claiborne New York dress during a speech at Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base to Marines and their families. Michelle accessorized with her signature belt and simple black flats.

Style Evolution: Michelle Obama

June 6, 2010
The president and first lady attended a taped TV performance (set to be aired July 2) called 'America Celebrates 4th of July', which honored South African Justice Albie Sachs and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu with the 2010 Lincoln Medal. Mrs. O looked elegant in a Calvin Klein Collection silver column dress that she accessorized with a crystal and bow Fenton-Fallon statement necklace (a modified version is currently available at J.Crew.)

Style Evolution: Michelle Obama

Las Vegas, Nevada, June 1, 2010
Michelle joined U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid at the Red Rock National Conservation Area to launch Mrs. O's Let's Move Outside! initiative to promote more outdoor activity for children. The First Lady celebrated summer with a floral Etro cardigan and bright yellow J.Crew skirt, accessorizing with silver ballet flats and a big smile.

Style Evolution: Michelle Obama

May 27, 2010
At a reception in honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, Michelle plays with one of the season's hottest trends wearing a purple and white polka dot dress from Lanvin's 2009 Resort collection.

Style Evolution: Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama decided to take a walk on the wild side while hosting the White House Dance Series in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 7.

Wearing her go-to thick Alaia belt and a white cinched-waist Byron Lars dress with black floral-shaped polka dots on the lower half and a sheer black sleeveless overlay on top creating a leopard pattern, the first lady welcomed guests to the event.

It was the White House's first celebration of American dance -- from ballet to hip-hop -- as well as a tribute to dancer/choreographer Judith Jamison.

The mashup of a dress (which shares some characteristics with this vibrant tunic by Duro Olowu) is not the first time Obama has donned a frock by Lars, an American-born designer who, according to his website, specializes in "twisted American classics."

On June 4, she wore his pale peach '50s-style dress to the White House's tribute to Paul McCartney.

How does Obama's newest ensemble stack up to her other wardrobe choices? Check out our Michelle Obama Style Evolution gallery to find out.

Speaking of wild style, see J.Lo's fierce fashions in Glamour.
Read All Comments
Filed under: Celebrity, News, Celebrity Style
Tags: Alaia, Byron Lars, Dance, Dresses, first ladies, Leopard print, Michelle Obama, Style Evolutions, White House
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READER COMMENTS

(624)Add A Comment

alexa, 9-09-2010, 12:36AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
alexa

pullleeeeeeeeze - not another expose about MO the fashion icon wannabe... get out the muzzle and leash 'cause both she and Barry are both dogs.

Reply »

myviewok, 9-09-2010, 8:26AM

Half a star vote downvote upReport
myviewok

The republicans are bashing this morning.They can never give a honest answer to anything.Instead of saying this outfit isn't to my liking,or I disagree with article.Out the gate name calling and nasty comments.People please present some form of decorum.Some of us like reading constructive views from civilized adults.

»

Victor, 9-09-2010, 9:12AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Victor

Report these Spammers and maybe AOL will do something about these scumbags

»

para cleanse, 9-09-2010, 11:15PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
para cleanse

trash, trailer park trash

»

getalife, 9-09-2010, 10:20AM

Half a star vote downvote upReport
getalife

Your mother already has the leash on, do you need one for your father and your junk yard dog husband. I hope you have had your shots because everyone is afraid of the foaming of the mouth you are doing. Get some new cheap racist shots while you are at the vet, those date back to the racist of the past.

»

anwrose, 9-09-2010, 11:09AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
anwrose

OMG! What a cow! That dress looks ridiculous on someone her age!! Grow up lady. You're not ALL that!

»

Rich, 9-09-2010, 1:30PM

Half a star vote downvote upReport
Rich

Isn't that old saying "takes one to know one" Alexa....

»

mark, 9-09-2010, 1:55PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
mark

That is a tacky and ugly dress. Whoever is dressing this woman has no taste or style! It has got to be someone from STYLELIST because they said she WOWed in lace and leopard.
THIS icky creation is a WOW?

»

barb, 9-09-2010, 2:09PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
barb

victor - spam is for what people DON'T want to see. 99.9% of these comments feel MO is NOT what AOL claims she is. sorry, but you are not in the majority.

»

american, 9-09-2010, 2:35PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
american

ok Myviewok, I'm a republican (conservative first) and I'll give you an honest answer without name calling. IMO I think any FLOTUS that would wear leopard print anything in view of the public is completely lacking in class, taste and decorum. I can't help but wonder why so many "journalists" (I use that word lightly) scramble around writing pieces about what a fantastic dresser the woman is as if they're going to recieve gifts and high honors for kissing her a**. Never before in the history of this country has a first lady been so outlandish and tacky. That title has always been held by ultra-classy, demure women until Clinton came along but even she showed a little respect for the position. Jacqueline Kennedy and Laura Bush are prime examples of how the first lady should present herself. And no, there is no comparison between Jacki O. and Michelle O. (that one makes me laugh hysterically!). She's doing all she can to draw attention to herself instead of quietly promoting humanitarian efforts like she should be. That outfit shown in this article isn't fit to be worn anywhere other than a late-night party. And that's who we have representing us.

»

hello, 9-09-2010, 5:12PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
hello

Right on, this women is no fashion icon in any form or shape, does not have the figure, too large no matter which way you look at it.

»

Katie, 9-09-2010, 10:05PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Katie

Okay myvie - I am a republican and I don't resort to name calling. Here goes. The vast majority of what they dress her in can be found in Dress Barn, Fashion Bug, Macy's or Dillards. The only outfit she has worn that impressed me was the gown at the innaugural ball. Everything else? Not so much. This leopard thing with lace and no stockings is not First Lady material. It's not polished. Now she doesn't have to look dowdy, but this is way off the mark for her position. She should be looking at the 1960's pics of Jackie Kennedy and use that as a fashion role model. Jackie had clothing made for her by high fashion houses and so could MO. Jackie was a fashion plate, MO is not. I own 2 businesses and have to often make calls on my vendors and clients. I can tell you that leopard and lace outfit wouldn't be on my list and I am not the First Lady. What she was doing was all about business and that is not business attire. StyleList has an unfortunate case of hero worship with MO and wouldn't criticize her if their site depended on it.

I think MO is a mover and shaker who is not being advised properly on her wardrobe. The way a woman in power dresses is very important, and she is missing her opportunity to make a huge impression in how she is dressing.

Sophisticated enough for you?

»

bazel, 9-09-2010, 11:17PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
bazel

Oh Lordy!!! That's HIDEOUS! If she chose this ensemble, then she's done lost her mind. If someone recommended this, they are making a fool of her and should be fired. In any case, could someone with taste please help her???? P.S. I am not a Republican either, but I will call it like I see it. I have been a fashion buyer with a major upscale Women's Fashion company for many many years, if that helps with my credentials.

»

paul, 9-09-2010, 6:23AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
paul

She should stay away from the blue light specials in K-Mart.

Reply »

Kaela Smith, 9-09-2010, 8:47AM

Half a star vote downvote upReport
Kaela Smith

Wow,

To all of you lovely people of this world please consider thinking outside of the box which could broaden your horizons? In my opinion, clothes does not make a person and if this were the case, OUR First Lady Mrs. Barak Obama would definetly make the cut. In addition, it appears that "most of you's guys" lack culture, elegance and EDUCATION! She is a woman first and lady in closing who is able to independently stand on her own which includes being Educated and Wise. Mrs. Obama stands beside her husband and please identify any "First Lady" who is able to compete with her? Haters, get and education and join in on the "Blue Light" special at Kmart because if this is what they are selling I'm buying! Enjoy.......

»

jim, 9-09-2010, 10:04AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
jim

kaela, I love when someone like you talks about education and then proceeds to spell something wrong. Mrs Obama's education should have taught her something about style and fashion instead of picking the first thing she sees in her closet.

»

Doug, 9-09-2010, 10:53PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Doug

Hey Kaela, that is the most hideous costume ever tested for holloween. As far as educated postings, you should really consider spell check and take a course in basic english sentance structure before you go off on an ignorant tangent

»

Jm, 9-09-2010, 11:20PM

2.5 stars vote downvote upReport
Jm

"Doug 9-09-2010 @ 10:53PM
Hey Kaela, that is the most hideous costume ever tested for holloween. As far as educated postings, you should really consider spell check and take a course in basic english sentance structure before you go off on an ignorant tangent"

Ah Doug, check your spelling!

»

Laura, 9-09-2010, 6:09AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Laura

Another awful outfit

Reply »

dee1224, 9-09-2010, 9:20AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
dee1224

Geez,that looks awful!!

»

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