A True Jewel
Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 7:34 PM 
Photo by Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Getty Images
Mrs. O looks beautiful this evening in a chiffon jersey one shoulder gown in a deep amethyst hue. Pieced and gathered chiffon jersey creates a woven effect through the bodice, while draping adds interest and movement through the skirt. Mrs. O puts an evening spin on her signature belt, adding a turquoise beaded piece at the waist. Statement gold earrings, a cuff bracelet and ring complete the look. At the toe, we see just a peek of a deep plum-colored sandal.
Mrs. Kim Yoon-ok looks lovely in a frothy pink traditional hanbok, while the gentlemen Presidents look dapper in their classic tuxedos. HOORAY for a state dinner!
Update #1: Mrs. O wears a gown by Korea-born Doo-Ri Chung, designer of the New York-based label doo.ri.
Update #2: The Washington Post has an interview with Doo-Ri Chung.
“We were contacted after our spring show,” Chung recalled. The first lady’s office told her that “they really loved the strapless purple gown.” But all parties both knew there were some modifications that needed to happen. “What we showed was a lot more risqué than what the First Lady could wear. Obviously a thigh-high slit would not work.”
A more modest slit remained, leading up to a high-waisted belt. Chung noted that she accommodated a usual Michelle Obama accessory, while the First Lady respected the fabric choice that the designer favors. “Jersey, of course. Signature to the house!” she said with a laugh. “I appreciate the dress she asked for doesn’t veer off what I usually do."
For those curious about the original dress, I believe it was likely this dress from doo.ri Spring 2012 that was modified into a custom gown for the First Lady.
"Doo-Ri Chung talks about her state dinner dress" [Washington Post]
"NYC designer 'thrilled' Michelle Obama wore her dress to state dinner" [New York Post]
"Michelle Obama stuns in violet gown" [NBC Nightly News]
Doo-Ri Chung, doo.ri
Reader Comments (49)
I love Mrs-O in this dress but she looks a bit tired but she's had a long week. I love the South Korean president's suit. Very Mad Men-esque and great looking on his frame. President Obama should really get the South Korean president's tailor.
YES!!! And amethyst is my birthstone :D The only thing I'm not quite feeling is the hair. Something better should have been done to the back.
NINE!
It's not my favorite, (will need to see more angles) and the hair seems very casual. I get that she's growing it out though, which is cool... but it looks rushed, maybe she was helping the girls with homework...
I agree. I have seen her hair look better. It does not look like her hairdresser did it.
And I thought Mrs. O was wearing heels! WOW, crazy to think she's that tall.
Anyways, I love this look. New hairstyle to go with her long, beautiful hair, accesories are perfect and that smile is RADIANT.
Mrs. O looks amazingly beautiful! I mean, how lucky are we to have such a beautiful and elegant First Lady? God bless America!
Mrs. Obama's glowing and healthy skin is her best adornment.. The color of the gown is simply brilliant against her natural glow. She wears this sillouhette beautifully and it is a nice compliment to her lovely frame. She has effortlessly stylized a look that works very, very well for her.
Goddess!
Why is this look (fabulous) so familiar? Hasn't there been a one shouldered gown in the past of a similar color? Anyway, it's amazing!
Mrs O is a beautiful lady and looks fab in just about everything she wears. I am just not wowed by this look like I have been with many of her other state dinner ensembles. Maybe my reaction could have hit wow with different hair and more blingy jewels but I understand that the republicans turn every outfit and jewel she wears into a political landmind. So, I can see why she kept it simple. The guests are a gorgeous couple as well. Not loving her look either but it may be cultural, which I may not understand. So, I wont comment further. President O looks fabulous as always! Love the S. Korean Pres. look. Very classic!
GORGEOUS! She is so very lovely.
The gown is truly stunning from the back
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/129176214/Getty-Images-News
she looks amazing, very appropriate for a 1st lady hosting State dinner for a visiting head of a country. I have to say, I love how she did not overwhelm the whole look with unnecessary accessories. The dress and glowing smile and toned body speaks for itself.
FLOTUS is looking wonderful here. And POTUS isn't that bad either...LOL
Mrs. O looks fabulous, WOW! The back of the dress looks amazing against her toned frame.
Love it! The autumnal color and that beautiful draping are just perfect for our FLOTUS. As several have commented recently, she looks even more fit than ever. The accessories are perfect, although I agree that her hair has looked better. And how appropriate to go with a Korean-American designer. I'm SO glad we don't have to revisit the whole Alexander McQueen thing.
Sounds like a very long, if thrilling, day for you, Mrs. T. Hope you will tell us more about the welcoming ceremony and the state dinner preview when you can.
II like this dress very much. It is perfect for Fall and the state dinner. Mrs. O has the height to pull this off perfectly. Her blue suit for the afternoon was lovely, too. The White House looks magical!
She looks beautiful! I think she does evening wear the best. Very elegant.
Mrs. T, I am so happy for you! What a wonderful memory. I hope your day was fantastic. The pictures of the dinning room are sooo pretty. Thank you!
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!!!! The dress is my favorite color in the world (I wore purple today. Great minds think alike, LOL) and I love that her accessories and shoes are not all matchy, matchy. She has gold, turquiose, and black accent colors. I will say that I am not that wowed by the hair, but that's small things to a giant. Her BEST accesory is her Hubby, whom is looking debonair and more in love than ever. I just LOVE IT!
The Koon-ok's look great as well.
CONGRATS again, Mrs. T!!!
It's been raining for two days now. Even a hint of humidity messes with one's curls. She might have passed an open window or something. The gown color is beautiful. There seems to be a nice relationship between our First Couple and their visitors.
Gorgeous!!! Ooooweeee!!!
Yes, Goddess.
The last two state dinners have been rather subtle and Mrs. O's style has been reflected. The color and fit of this gown are surreal. She continues to pull noteworthy looks out of her bag.
Hooray is right...WOOOOOOOOTTTTT!!!!
In other pics, looks like the wrap in the front kind of opens to reveal some leg when she walks. Nice effect!!!
Mrs. O looks radiant in this color. The belt is just the right pop of contrast - yet still subtle. I am so happy for you, Mrs. T! What a thrill to see all the adornment!
YESS! It is good to see her in these simple, column-like, shapes. I love the color, draping and the way it shows of the best parts of her frame (shoulders, arms). I agree with others the hair does not WOW but her smile and gracious manner over-rides that.
Our First Lady stuns! How perfect that she chose a Korean born American designer!! The dress is gorgeous on her. Another home run.
Would love to see the original dress, but can't find it on the doo-ri website.
As usual, Mrs O knocks the ball out of the park in a beautifully hued dress of impeccable style and cut. She is such an ambassador for the USA. She looks gorgeous. (She doesn't look tired, she's been caught mid-blink.)
She looks great - especially from the back. I love dresses that provide a hint of sexuality from the back also and this dress does it, thanks to Mrs. O. Her back is toned. the top of the dress is quite flattering.
I think her hair has that sexy tousled effect and overall she looks great!
Adore, absolutely adore Mrs. Kim Yoon-ok pink traditional hanbok. Mr. & Mrs. Yoon-ok are such a wonderful representative for South Korea. Just love them. Gia
Great back story Mrs.T and nice images too.
Mrs. O looks stunning.
Wish the hair had been different, but the dress is flawless !
Omazing
She is one hot First Lady! This dress looks as though the designer had our Michelle in mind when she created it. I saw some other pics on Getty Images and she she absolutely splendid. The gentlemen looked dapper in theit tuxes. I think that The First Lady of South Korea's traditional hanbok is quite lovely. That pink and gold is beautiful. I appreciate that she chose to display her culture and our Michelle nodded by wearing Doo.ri. Very thoughtful!
I'm loving the belt.
Plus, the East Room looks beautiful!
Thank you for sharing:)
Does anyone know where we can find a photo of the original dress? I know the Obama version is a bit different.
Va Va Voom FLOTUS!!
Simply elegant! The gown is stunning from both angles!
Wow!!! I am at a loss for words . Our First Lady Michelle Obama looks Amazing. Head to toe.
Her makeup looks fresh and youthful and seems to be getting better every time.
It's refreshing to see consistency!! The dress was lovely and whoever is responsible for creating this masterpiece has clearly knocked it out of the ball park!
I'm proud of the President of the United States of America and our Gorgeous First Lady Michelle Obama.
Makes me proud to be an American.
I think the gown is stunning on Mrs. O! There is short (two minute) video clip from NBC news which shows new angles of the gown. It also has a very brief interview with the designer and talks about how the original gown was modified for Mrs. O. So please click here to watch the video.
Go Flotus!!! Face is simply FLAWLESS!
Pretty & Fresh. Easy breezy Beautiful First Lady.
She represented the USA with Grace and Finesse.
Keep it up!
The fabric of the hanbok worn by the Korean First Lady is wonderful. Wish we had a closer picture of that gold band
A though occured to me...I wonder if Mrs. Obama coordinated her gown colors with the dress Mrs. Kim Yoon-ok was wearing. They go beautifully together side-by-side, and that would have been a thoughtful gesture to complement the honored First Lady from South Korea. A definite home-run on all accounts.
Love the color and fit of this dress. The style of the gown reminds me of the gown she wore to the State Dinner with the President and First Lady of Mexico earlier this year, but think the fit on this dress is much more flattering. She looks beautiful! Also, love the dress worn by the First Lady of Korea. She looks beautiful as well.
@Vivienne, thanks for that link. I like this dress better each time I look at it. It works from all angles and the drape is even lovelier in motion. I hope we see more of Mrs. O in Doo-Ri Chung.
Great article. On first blush - the dress looks like the purple/lavender/violet version of the dress for the Mexican President Calderon and his wife state dinner. There was a strapless purple that Mrs. O. wore I think to the Kennedy Center that looked great.
This one has a better fit than some of the other formals that Mrs. O. has worn. The slit made the dress a bit different from the others.
Once again, Mrs. O. set the bar high.
Thanks for Vivienne for the link to the video. DON'T MISS IT! This gown was stunning in motion. Compared with Mrs. O's strapless gowns (which I nevertheless love), this one-shoulder redesign allowed for an easier, more-flattering fit in the bodice area.
Vivienne, love that link! I've added it to the main post. Thank you so much for sharing.
Where do I begin with this dress? My gosh, she looks absolutely gorgeous in this gown. Nobody does formal wear like our Michelle. She's got that department sewn up tightly.The fit, the color, the movement looks like it was designed with her in mind. Also, I like the pink and white with gold hanbok that South Korea's First Lady is wearing. I appreciate this blog more that ever because I would've called it a kimono. Wow, you learn something new each day, huh? The fellows looked good in their tuxes, but the ladies stole the show.
Now that's some good looking out Vivienne! Great job!