Mrs. O in Alexander McQueen
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 6:32 PM 
Image by Saul Loeb / Getty Images
Image by Jewel Samad / Getty Images
Image by Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP Photos
First Lady Michelle Obama wears a red petal print silk organza off-the-shoulder Alexander McQueen gown to tonight's state dinner at the White House. The color, red, is not a complete surprise, as it symbolizes good luck and happiness in Chinese culture. The choice of design house is more unexpected, as many had speculated that the first lady would wear a gown by a Chinese-American designer. If we've learned one thing about Mrs. O's style, it's that it never fails to surprise. The gown is a daring, high-glamour choice for the occasion.
It is also a wonderful honor for the house of Alexander McQueen. The work of the late designer has long been a staple in the first lady's wardrobe. Booth Moore of the L.A. Times reports that this gown, in fact, was designed by Alexander McQueen's successor, Sarah Burton. Indeed, the dress appears to be a variation of an Alexander McQueen Resort 2011 gown, seen here.
If you haven't yet seen it, please do give Robin Givhan's piece for The Daily Beast a read. In her first story for the site, Givhan does a superb job of translating Mrs. O fashion's message, in a way only she can. Of a seemingly unexpected choice, Givhan presents great logic.
"The red petal print, silk organza gown wasn’t so much an act of diplomacy as a broad statement about the new realities of the fashion industry. In choosing a dress from Alexander McQueen, Mrs. Obama championed the cause of artisan design, the legacy of bespoke tailoring, and the staggering creativity that can be nurtured in the frock trade when it is at its best."
"Michelle Obama in Alexander McQueen: Lady in Red at the White House State Dinner" [The Daily Beast]
Update: For those curious about Mrs. O's jewelry, the First Lady wore Ruby and Geode Earrings in 18k Yellow Gold from New York-based jewelry designer Kimberly McDonald.
Reader Comments (168)
Guapisima!!
@Bevi (and others saying the shawl might have been a gift)
But I thought there were some restrictions on what the Obamas could keep as gifts? I dunno. Maybe not. I suspect that the wrap has some significance, though. Because it doesn't really "go," there must have been some reason why she chose to wear it.
@glammie (wondering how much the gown cost)
My guess is that if you or I wanted to buy that gown, it would cost multiple thousands -- maybe $4,000 to $7,000 -- but again, I'm just guessing based on what I see Alexander McQueen clothing going for on sites like Net-a-Porter and Neiman Marcus. I could be way off.
there goes old Oscar De La Renta AGAIN bashing our First Lady's choice to wear McQueen.
Sour grapes or not?
Michelle Obama's State Dinner Dress Bashed By Oscar De La Renta
Although we loved and will continue to openly rave about Michelle Obama's State Dinner dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, designer Oscar de la Renta remains unimpressed.
He told WWD, "My understanding is that the visit was to promote American-Chinese trade -- American products in China and Chinese products in America. Why do you wear European clothes?" adding, "I'm not talking about my clothes, my business. I'm old, and I don't need it. But there are a lot of young people, very talented people here who do."
De la Renta made similar comments in April 2009, right after the first lady visited London. He told WWD at the time:
"American fashion right now is struggling. I think I understand what [Obama and her advisers] are doing, but I don't think that is the right message at this particular point....I don't object to the fact that Mrs. Obama is wearing J. Crew to whatever because the diversity of America is what makes this country great. But there are a lot of great designers out there. I think it's wrong to go in one direction only."
In the same article, he also knocked the outfit Michelle wore to meet Queen Elizabeth, remarking, "You don't...go to Buckingham Palace in a sweater."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/21/michelle-obama-state-dinner-oscar-de-la-renta_n_812043.html#comments
My first reaction when I saw the dress was Wow.......... beautiful color and of course she looked georgeous.... but then I took another look and the neckline seemed like a design mistake. The off shoulder looked like an accident and the on shoulder was too close to the neck. It looked as if Michelle accidentally let one shoulder fall. Love watching what she wears and she always looks delightful.
Oscar simply does not like the First Lady. No other way around it. Everyone one of his criticisms of her has been petty and based on false premises. Let's look at this latest ATTACK on Mrs. O by Mr. De La Renta. First off, he's saying she needs to support young American designers. Mrs. O is KNOWN for supporting young American designers. In fact, Mr. De La Renta, you have attacked her in the past for wearing YOUNG AMERICAN DESIGNERS! Way to contradict yourself, but that's what happens when you speak with malice. Secondly, he's saying that a First Lady should always wear American designers for State Dinners. Well, Mr. De La Renta, your homeland, the Dominican Republic has never been honored with a State Dinner, and you you almost exclusively dressed both Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush at their State Dinners. Hypocrite.
I don't know what his problem is with Mrs. Obama, but I love that she ignores him. He's coming off very petty and ugly right now.
@Bevi
You may be right about the fact it's a gift from any asian country. Yesterday I thought the shawl or châle in French was a lack of taste but I didn't say nothing because I know how Michelle Obama is a woman who ponders a lot (réfléchir) and now, I find it can be a rich idea because this shawl seems to work as a fan, a chinese fan. Eventually, I'm quite most. But one thing is sure for me : I can't bare the print of the dress but I admire again and again la prestance élégante et sereine de Mrs O.
The original dress is stunning. Why in the world was it changed to have this off the shoulder look? I agree with several of the posters here that this was a bad choice for the occasion and the guest. It would have looked much better with either both sides lowered off the shoulder or both left on the shoulder. My pick would have been to stick with the original which looks very regal and would have been more appropriate for this event.
I didn't care for the dress. I liked half of it; the top half. She is an attractive woman and looks good in red but I often feel that she ends up looking 1/2 good, 1/2 bad. An outfit might be attractive but then it's defeated by a bad accessory. I was disappointed that she wasn't in Vera Wang, given both the occasion and Ms. Wang's presence at the dinner.
a glimpse of Malia, Sasha and Mrs. Robinson at the State Dinner
Absolutely stunning, gorgeous and just what our First Lady decided SHE wanted to wear! Some of the comments on this blog are truly amazing and oh so envious. :( Mrs. Obama IS the First Lady of the United States of America. Mrs. Obama does set the pace and is gorgeous, stunning, caring, pretty, on and on and on. No matter what others may think, Mrs. Michelle Obama is truly a LADY and has been perfectly groomed for the position she now holds. God bless Mrs. O, FLOTUS, and God bless the USA. btw...I simply love the gown, the make-up, the hair, and everything else. Lovely, gorgeous, show-stopping.
@Jazz...thanks for that great link!!! Malia and Sasha look lovely. Out of the three Obama women/girls, I liked Malia's outfit the best!
@Thumper LOL flash forward 50 years you will be the one standing there in the Smithsonian!
Just read a recent comment about Michelle's look being "show-stopping." Well, that's where I think she goes off the track with a lot of the clothes she wears. Michelle's very height and stature and good looks are show-stopping enough. I wish she'd stick with clean lines, strong colours and skip the flounces, frills, fussy fabrics and accessories that don't flatter her. Although I hope Michelle does not choose clothing with the idea that what she wears will be the centre of attention, I do not think that is what the First Lady should be striving for when hosting guests at the White House, or appearing at any other gathering.
I cannot begin to describe how beautiful our Michelle is in this dress. It's a pity that Alexander McQueen did not live to see this.....he would've been beyond thrilled. This is a home-run in my opinion!
So is the color red significant? Red Chinese , you know.
Words can not express how much I love Mrs. O in this dress. Stunning.
The fabric is gorgeous. The photos on this site do not show a side view as well as I have seen elsewhere which really shows the poor alteration that was done in changing the original design into a one-shoulder design. When the dress was made into a one shoulder design it makes it look like Michelle has quite a bit of " back flab". This is not the first time I have noticed a poor fit when it comes to these one shoulder looks that she likes. I did see the original design and it was really a WOW look. Maybe would have been best to leave the designer's vision as created.
In defense of the criticism regarding the need to wear American designers people seem to not remember the same criticism launched against Mrs Kennedy and Princess Diana. This is nothing new and those two ladies listened and supported their countries designers. Being a public figure provides one with the opportunity to be a leader and influence a great number of people. In this economy why not support our own.