National Design Awards
Saturday, July 14, 2012 at 12:02 PM 
The First Lady spoke at the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt National Design Awards luncheon at the White House yesterday. For the appearance, Mrs. O wore a slim white sheath dress paired with a statement jeweled necklace.
In her remarks the First Lady commented: "It is always a pleasure to be here with all of you today as we recognize this year’s winners of the National Design Awards. Every day, these visionary designers are pushing boundaries, creating and revealing beauty where we least expect it, and helping us all lead healthier, more sustainable lives."
American designer Thom Browne was honored with the award in Fashion Design. In addition to his eponymous menswear line, Browne designs Black Fleece by Brooks Brothers, which the First Lady recently wore here.
Update: Mrs. O wears an Alexis Bittar Spring 2012 Elements Collection necklace with a white Narciso Rodriguez dress. The necklace is described as "a pave accented gold woven pendant and linked stone necklace".
Alexis Bittar, Narciso Rodriguez
Reader Comments (25)
There are no more words to describe FL MO so I'll just say ......WOWWW!!!
Amazing
Such a beautiful, gracious First lady, inside and out! I'm so proud of our First Lady and look forward to 4+ more years of her inspiration. God bless Mrs. Obama, God bless our President and God bless the United States of America! Obama 2012!!!!!!!!!!
She looks lovely!
Peace
Oy. That first picture? I thought the microphone was some weird design on the dress, and wondered why she'd wear a necklace that interfered with it. Thank goodness you posted the second picture!
Love FLOTUS' style but I'm not a fan of the elaborate necklace I'm afraid. It's far too distracting and unbalanced I think, and even though her shift dress is beautifully fitted, the necklace completely distracts from its elegant simplicity. I think that this neckace is more suited to a floor length dress. A less detailed piece with a pop of colour would have looked more striking in a completely different way IMHO. Still love her though
Mrs. O looks amazing... Classy & Beautiful.
Oh Hyde really....some weird design on the dress??? Put on your glasses dear....
Any way, it is good to see the First Lady glowing in white!
Perfection! Dress: great fit and the color pops against her complexion. Fabulous jewelry and her hair is lustrous.
What better way to wear a statement necklace than with a simple, yet classic, white dress?
@Hyde Parker - I had exactly the same reaction and kept trying to figure out the design for a minute before I figured out they were the microphones! You're not alone!
Ha, like Hyde I thought the same thing -- that the dress had some applique of angry looking spirits or something. It took me several scroll downs and ups to realize my mistake. FLOTUS is such an inspiration. Poised, articulate, elegant and stylish.
She looks lovely! That necklace against that white palette is outstanding.
Hyde Parker! Haha I have glasses on and I had the exact same reaction
you did when I first saw this picture. The microphone looked sort of like Mickey Mouse ears or black ghosts on the dress!
By the way, if anybody watched "Political Animals" on USA network, it was an extremely fascinating show. Can't wait till next weeks episode. Sigourney Weaver is outstanding, playing a former first lady who is now Secretary of State.
LOL @ Adear!!
Classic beauty!! I LOVE this statement necklace with this clean sheath dress. Groovy, there is no better way to wear a statement necklace, IMO.
@ Nyon, I agree.
I usually check in on this blog frequently, thought I rarely comment. I enjoy the blog. I just want to say that I don't like the new background.. Hard on the eyes, I can barely read the comments and names. However, keep up the good work reporting on Mrs. O, hopefully for another 4 years.
Love this look. that"s exactly how you wear such a necklace.Everithing else has to be "toned down" in order to let the necklace be the centerpiece. Here's a link of Alexis Bittar's blog for a better angle.
http://www.alexisbittar.com/blog/?p=2640
I know the blog has moved on to "kiss cam" but I wanted to say that this is a really terrific look. Clean, good length on the dress, fabulous necklace. Mrs. O. looks great!
Wow! This is such a beautiful, expressive necklace. This is the kind of statement peice that calls for a simple white, black, yellow or any solid color dress. Our Michelle looks stylish and chic as usual.
That's a Narciso Rodriguez dress! She always looks so fabulous in his designs. Great necklace too! So prou to have such a classy yet fashion forward First Lady!
Ohmygod I LOVE that necklace. Whoop!
Fun picture of First Lady with one of the female Russian wrestlers!
http://obamadiary.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/p072712sh-0215_0.jpg?w=655
Perfection! Dress: great fitting and the color pops against her complexion. Fabulous jewelry and her hair is lustrous.