Donned in Donna
Monday, October 18, 2010 at 11:30 PM 
Image by Stephen Chernin / AP Photo
The first lady is in New York City this evening, attending a Democratic National Committee fundraiser with Dr. Jill Biden and actress Sarah Jessica Parker. Earlier in the evening, Mrs. O attended a dinner hosted by designer Donna Karan. In honor of her host, Mrs. O is wearing a knee-length, draped halter dress from Donna Karan Collection, seen here (as a gown), accented by a chunky statement necklace. Dr. Biden is equally chic in a figure-hugging frock, adorned with a Mrs. O-inspired brooch.
To see another fabulous view of the first lady's dress, worn with a camel coat, click here.
Update: The first lady wore a "Tropical Punch" necklace by Erickson Beamon, seen below in detail.
Image via Showroom Seven for Erickson Beamon
Reader Comments (47)
Dr. Biden look GREAT! Michelle, should have worn shape wear or something not as tight. This does nothing for me -- and Donna knows how to dress a WOMAN......
Great to see Mrs.O on the trail! Need a better picture of this outfit though- seems to fit her all wrong from the way lighting in falling in this picture
I have been so busy lately, I have not had a chance to visit. And wow, wow, wow, what at pleasure. I had hoped that one day she would wear Donna and she look absolutely spectacular. I would love to see a full length of that dress. She looks awesome and I love her hair!
Is it a dress or a pants suit? Hard to tell from this pic. Sorry just saw the link to the collection what a fantastic frock.
Mrs. Obama looks far better in this dress than the model looks! Beautiful, smiling, mature, alive and bringing life to the cloth she wears. Very nice!
Well, this is out of the park GORGEOUS, stunning, perfection. Love it to pieces. The necklace is amazing as well, and I like the way she's used it to lift the dark grey up close to her face. Awesome.
The Donna Karan outfit is beautiful; however, I think it makes Mrs. Obama look huge. She can do much better!
I'd love to see a full length picture of Mrs Obama's dress. She looks sensational. As for Dr Biden, she always has a classic elegance about her but more than anything, I just love the way these ladies are constantly seen working together. I don't think I've ever seen a First Lady and VP wife together as much as these two.
Mrs T, any word on who designed the necklace ?
It seems lately that Mrs. O has been wearing A LOT of Donna Karan!!
www.vivivintage.com
I think this dress and necklace are smashing together! While I would not use the word "huge," I do think this is not a flattering camera angle and lighting. I would like to see a different view. It really bothers me the way people feel free to judge and criticize womens' bodies. Not trying to pick a fight, just venting. I think overall the whole look is great, especially with the coat!!!! Glad she is paying her respects to Donna.
I love the statement necklace. I have to see a full length pic of the dress to get a better idea of if I like how it fits Mrs O.
It's the short version! And with that spectacular camel coat, I'd love to see the cost face front. How lovely!
The First Lady and Dr. Biden are always such a pleasure together, and of course, I love Ms. SJ Parker. Each of these ladies are individually and uniquely beautiful, inside and out.
Hair, make-up, jewelry! Hoo-Ray wow! I agree with some that the photo may not be adequate for comment on the dress...
Lovely piece of jewelry. The necklace really enhances the dress.
A quick note -- I share sentiments with those who would like to see a better photo. Unfortunately, this is the best of what has been released by AP, Getty and Reuters. Will update the post if anything better surfaces.
I like the jewelry, I am not sure about the dress. I think she needs spanx.
It's hard for me to tell about fit -- it looks like the dress has some shirring, though. I like it. And I do think Imma have to take that necklace. It looks too fab.
Jill Biden looks cute as can be, as always.
This photo looked much better when I pulled it up on my iphone. Here, all of their bodies look distorted. Love the entire look with heels and coat.
Wow, she looks marvelous in the picture as she walks in, with the coat and the stride -
Love the hair and makeup
The dress definitely isn't being shown properly given it's detailing and the lighting, but from what I can see it's very nice and I think when you look at the other link of her walking in with her DK coat, she looks fantastic - totally appropriate for a NYC fashionistas event/fundraiser.
It is a shame that it was entirely predictable that people would talk smack about her curves and the fact that she embraces them. I wonder when people will realize that the "problem" of Mrs. O wearing sexy and form fitting clothes isn't about HER, it's about US and our warped sense of "beauty." As long as she's not offending anyone showing skin, etc., then I think she should keep rocking the form-fitting clothes with pride and confidence.
Ah. Her fly knows no boundaries! Lovely!
I usually love Mrs. O's jewelry but feel that this piece doesn' t enhance her beauty -it is too heavy and distracting. Sometimes less is more. But I think the dress is a knock out. Go Michelle!
Dr, Biden looks fantastic! Love the jewelry on both. I am unsure about Mrs. Obama's dress. It may be the photo. But I have to say all of the women radiate inner beauty. To Mrs. O's credit, she is not afraid to show her curves like many of us have. And for that, I think she has given the average a women a boost of confidence. Hey, we are not all a size 4 with no hips. But we can sure have some confidence.
I love the dress and that camel colored coat, just fab!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm loving the hair being pent up as well.
Mrs. Biden always looks classic and chic. She is adorable in so many ways and her fashionformula works well for her. I am a huge fan of both ladies. I think Mrs. O is rocking this look! She's got great curves and the dress hugs them all. LOL! I think the angle of the photo is abit unflattering but we all know that she has great body and that dress will wear it well. I am sure Donna Karan was flattered to say the least. I also love the jewelry both ladies are rocking as well. Happy to see SJP lend her support to the Dems.
Just like our Michelle to mix it up! WOW! She looks flawless in this Donna Karan creation. She shows us her versatility, love for fashion and that wicked element of surprise in this dress. Her toned curves can show us "women of a certain age" that by taking care of ourselves first that we are better caregivers for our families. Her hair, makeup, and that necklace looks awesome. The only thing better than what she is wearing is her genuine heart and beautiful smile. Again, WOW!
Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot to comment on our hot SLOTUS! Get at it Jill! She looks stunning with her brooch placed off-side. I just love seeing these two amazing women working together. Now I know that we don't know what goes on behind closed doors, but these women seem to genuinely respect and care for one another. I like how they are cheerleaders for one another....and they look hot while doing it! FEIRCE!
How much do I love that POTUS and FLOTUS with all they do during the average day and the miles they have travelled in the last few days, still make time to go to parent teacher conferences?
"Embracing your curves" doesn't mean wearing a dress that is a size or two too small. It means figure-skimming proportions that will flatter you no matter what size you are. Sooo many women don't seem to realize that a skin-tight outfit only makes you appear larger than you really are and is not flattering in the least.
Stuh-ning. This is not the best picture of the dress. Liked the gray and camel combo.
Who made that necklace? I gotta have one (a knockoff will be out soon, I'm sure!)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/19/michelle-obama-broadway-photos_n_767785.html#s160278 Photo #5 closeup of the necklace
Sensational ruching details. The vertical line in the dress emphasizes her toned figure. Great work by the designer, adding a creative neckline that drapes beautifully and in sync with the style of the dress. 100%
Like other posters, I am confused at the negativity around Michelle Obama's figure. I'm not ashamed to say that I am envious of her flat stomach, long lean limbs and curves that dip in and out and this coming from a woman who is older than me and has carried and given birth to children.
I'm tall (practically all legs) with a straight figure and a permanent pot belly that no amount of exercise will get rid of or tone up. I've learned to love myself because I'm alive and I have my health. Michelle Obama cannot help being a beautiful, healthy, curvaceous woman. Why can't we celebrate that, in fact why can't we look at every woman and accept each other for our uniqueness ? I really think we women can be extremely hard on ourselves and our sex.
What looks so huge about the FL? In fact what's wrong with her showing off a small waist and beautiful ample hips? This dress is amazing on Mrs. O and it compliments her curvy womanly body.
Amen to the poster who said the dress looks better on FL than on the Donna Karan model. I mean really ,who wants see a skeleton in this type of dress? Not I...
She is wearing an Erickson Beamon necklace and looking fabulous as usual!
Many people have expressed concern over my comment that the Donna Karan dress made Mrs. O appear "huge" and have jumped on me for being critical of women's bodies. I was not being critical of Mrs. O's body. I was being critical of the dress she chose to put on her body. Like most women with a larger bottom half, I believe Mrs. O looks best in dresses that are form fitting on the top and looser on the bottom. I agree with Christen comment that a skin-tight outfit makes her appear larger than she really is and is just not flattering.
@Alison: I think I disagree, but not because I think you are being overly critical or anything like that. I feel like some of the less-flattering outfits I've seen Michelle in are the various A-line skirts and A-line cut dresses that she likes to wear. Some of them REALLY accentuate the hips because they stand out from them. This dress is more formfitting but I don't think it makes her hips look larger than what they really are. She is a woman with a set of hips on her.
@ Christen @ Helen,
'Spanx' and '2 sizes too small'? Really, ladies, really? Do you REALLY think the FLOTUS doesn't know what spanx is? Do you REALLY think MO woke up and said "Yep, I'm going to wear a dress 2 sizes too small! ? Really?!?!? After two years of looking at these candid photos, are you REALLY that uninformed, or cognizant of poor lighting, bad shots & camera angles? REALLY??? OR . . . are you REALLY about planting negativity, are you REALLY incapable of allowing 2 inches of positive print without a gripe, or are you REALLY still upset that a Coco-hued sista is FLOTUS and, according to Forbes & the Harvard Review, one of the most powerful, influencial women in the world?
Really, ladies, GET REAL!!!
A better photo would have helped.
Michelle may have chosen the black for the slimming effect. This is one of those dresses that would look great in a different color. While I tend to favor Michael Kors for Michelle, this is definitely one of Donna K.'s better efforts. Good choice by Michelle.
Dayum :D!
@ Kentashi,
Well said! Hopefully your comments will silence the delibrately uneducated and uninformed who occasionally surf this site to drop their stink bombs, at least temporarily because like a bad penny, they always find a way to show when and where they are not wanted. it's also a sign of the times where some just take delight in their "dumbness and ignorance" akin to some of this year's new crop of candidates running for office!
Mrs Obama ROCKS!!! And Sara Jessica Parker and Mrs Biden look absolutely lovely too!
Too funny how "Christen" and "Canyongal" always seem to show up just about the same time even if they aren't necessarily posting similar sentiments this time around. Smart move!! LOL.
Mrs. O and Mrs. B look great. I've always been skeptical, if not outright disapproving, of celebrity inclusion in political and civic events. That said, I like SJP's humbled gesture of having her arms/hands tucked behind her back and her biting her lip as in shyness. She looks like a humbled little girl who is clearly being modest and understands the significance of being in the presence of our nation's First and Second Ladies.
Silvia
Dress and necklace and gorgeous!
Mrs. Obama and the ladies in this photo are elegante! Everything about Mrs. Obama's dress is lovely and high-end!
OMG! That necklace is talking to me! Yessss...I will buy you...hehehe!
Well said Kentashi!
very good...