Wednesday
Jun192013
Mrs. O in Carolina Herrera
Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at 9:11 PM 
The President and First Lady attended a dinner given in honor of President Obama at the Orangerie of Schloss Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin, Germany on Wednesday evening. The dinner was hosted by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her husband Joachim Sauer.
For the occasion, Mrs. O wore a Carolina Herrera Pre-Fall 2013 cocktail dress, as seen in the designer's collection here. Bows at the shoulders and statement earrings by Rene Escobar punctuate the festive, formal look.
tagged Carolina Herrera, Rene Escobar
Carolina Herrera, Rene Escobar
Reader Comments (51)
What a gorgous dress! Love the feathery details--and the bows give it character! Also, who knew Chancellor Merkel did wide-legged dress pants so well?!
I like the larger bows as shown in the collection on this dress. A very pretty dress; the fabric looks stunning. I could see placing the bows at the waist as well. The statement earrings look very intriguing--more details please. Thank you!
That truly is a lovely dress.
Just beautiful! It fits her so well, too. Very elegant and classy, yet with a sense of fun as well.
Mrs. O is "wearing" that dress!
OAN: The Chancellor is holding her own too!
Once again, fashion foward!
Absolutely loving this dress, fabulous!!
It was nice to see the president's sister Auma Obama, who lives in Berlin. She was with the first family in the morning tour, front row at the president's speech and invisited to dinner with PLOTUS, FLOTUS & the chancellor. Good hearted people the Obamas.
Have we ever seen our lovely First Lady in Carolina Herrera --? This is such a lovely dress--
She boarded Air Force One still wearing this sweet Carolina Herrera number--
They must have gone straight from dinner to the airport; en route home to D.C--
There are very few dresses that could easily transition this well from State dinner to boarding flight especially on an unusually hot day/night -- this dress was perfect in its simplicity and beauty and without being overdone--
And this has to be one of my new all time favorite captures of the Obamas--
http://obamadiary.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/screen-shot-2013-06-19-at-6-28-14-pm.png?w=655
Perfect -- and dreamingly exquisite--
Something NEW!
I am thrilled to see Mrs. O in Carolina Herrera. Her designs are exquisite. This mature yet playful dress fits the First Lady sublimely. Chancellor Merkel looked lovely too.
Unforgettable…..adorable. Another perfect fit, as if made for her figure.
Would love to see her in a gown from Carolina Herrera’s amazing collection.
I mean, stunning! Our First Couple are just so glamorous! I adore just watching them move through this Presidency with grace and represent us so beautifully abroad.
Aloha!
I absolutely loving this dress by Carolina Herrera! It is very flattering on First Lady Obama (FLO)! Of all the Fashionistas that I know, Mrs. O is my favorite!
The summer staple of the wide leg pant is an exquisite look, too! Mrs. O was stunning in a black pair earlier this week, as you shared with us Mrs. T. Thank you for keeping our finger on the pulse of such a fashion forward icon!
Please visit http://ease-collection.blogspot.com/
Mahalo! Hawaiian word meaning Thank you!
Lovely, lovely dress. The link supplied by Mrs. T to the collection shows off the exquisite patterning. Hope we see Mrs. O in Caroline Herrera again.
Beautiful dress, and I love that Michelle is easing up on the face-full-of-bangs look.They were just overwhelming her beautiful face and rarely looked right. I hope she keeps combing them to the side, a bit off her face.
Love the dress. She is killing the look. Love Mrs. O to no end. Not sure if the dress was appropriate for the meeting with the German Head of State and her husband. Mrs. O look like she was going to a lovely garden party while the others were on official business. Just keeping it real.
Looks like I'm going to be the in the minority here - I don't like the small bows AT ALL. Way too cutesy for the occasion. Otherwise it's a stunning dress and she's wearing it well.
So glad she is giving Carolina Herrera's elegant designs a chance, and I am with Renee in rejoicing in no bangs. I became so obsessed with all that hair overwhelming her and making her look out of control and silly that I blamed it as a factor in things not going so well for the administration! I wanted her back out there strong and solid and in control and moving us forward. Totally crazy, I know, but I care that much!
Agree with @BB. The bows are ridiculous.
This dress makes quite a bold statement. Gorgeous!
Now about being dressed for a garden party--Mrs. Obama was most appropriately dressed for the Orangerie according a description of the dinner venue--"n the following years, the Orangery was built on the west of the palace and the central area was extended with a large domed tower and a larger vestibule. On top of the dome is a wind vane in the form of a gilded statue representing Fortune designed by Andreas Heidt. The Orangery was originally used to overwinter rare plants. During the summer months, when over 500 orange, citrus and sour orange trees decorated the baroque garden, the Orangery regularly was the gorgeous scene of courtly festivities." And if I have been faithful to Mrs. T's blog, I think this IS the first time we have Carolina Herrera on Mrs. Obama. Mrs. Herrera was one of Mrs. Kennedy's favorites (including Caroline Kennedy's wedding dress) and as a Jackie-phile I am feeling happy and warm and fuzzy.
This is a wonderful picture. The husband of the most power woman in the world has a beaming smile that is as bright as the the wife of the most powerful man in the world. The dress is fitting for this occasion. Enchanting, classy and yet youthful. It is a good contrast for the serious matters that the two leaders faced that day. Love it
Oooh!
Be still my heart. The dress is smashing! Immediate entrance into my top ten all time First Lady Obama favorite ensembles! (Though I believe I have to expand that list to at least top one hundred, at this point.)
Dr. Cheryl :)
I'm one of the very few that does not like the dress. I think the bows are too distracting . I thought the dress she wore last year ( I believe) to the G8 was much more prettier .
"Michellefan" cares so much about Mrs Obama she demeans and insults this perfectly capable woman by flippantly describing her as looking "out of control and silly"--
It occurs to me that you are the sort of "supporter" a person really could do without--
I wouldn't want you on my side --
The phrase "with friends like these" immediately comes to mind--
"Silly" and "out of control" --- to describe any decent human being -- and in this case a grown woman, mother, wife and First Lady---
Really--?!
And please do spare us all any attempt to pretend that you don't understand just how incredibly offensive and disrespectful your consciously chosen descriptive words were--
This continues to be the sound argument against the cover provided by the anonymity of the Internet-- everyone gets to chime in with their thinly veiled insults -- and even more thinly veiled attempts at confusing and deceiving with carefully picked id's--
@Dr Cheryl:
Thanks for the interesting overview of the venue for this State Dinner--
It's amazing how some choose to pretend that this was a "meeting" of some sort -- as opposed to what was supposed to be the fun, relaxing social part of the State visit---
That Chancellor Merkel exercised her prerogative and opted to show up in a suit at this social function once the business aspect of the visit had been dispensed with, should not be held against Mrs Obama -- or be used as yet another lame and weird segue to finding fault with Mrs Obama's absolutely spot on choice of outfit--
Unlike some female public and political figures, Mrs Obama has absolutely no problem embracing her femininity and dressing up when it's called for-- and this occasion called for it even if she still went with a very simple and mostly understated sleeveless dress which worked perfectly for the scorching Berlin heat that day. She beautifully dressed up the lovely dress with a pair of statement earrings---
Mrs Obama is unafraid of and completely contradicts that long pushed stereotype that suggests that for a woman to be taken seriously, she ought to play down her feminine and sweet side even in clothes - and actively embrace a more masculine (suits) and largely disinterested, sanitized and sterile approach to clothes and fashion as a whole-
Mrs Obama succeeds in throwing that concept on its head by successfully perfecting and showing that a smart, accomplished, serious, focused woman can too love to dress up, have fun with her clothes and still hold her own in any business setting--
This is what makes Mrs Obama especially unique and incredibly appealing--
She's a complete woman in every sense of that concept ---
That we should all choose to live each aspect of our lives as fully, completely and as richly as this spectacular woman-- and have as much fun doing it too!
Bravo Mrs Obama, bravo!
The world will never be the same for having you in this time publicly and with dignity live your life and duty showing women by excellent example not to take themselves too seriously, not to get trapped in other people's projections, preferences, desires and man-made constructs -- and to just live and be ones most happy, fulfilling and authentic self--
Audrey -- same old issue that periodically is addressed: this is a fashion blog, so please let those who care about and have a critical eye for fashion and style discuss fashion and style.
If you will calmly reread my comments you will see I do not find our beloved First Lady “silly” or “out of control.” I think her (hopefully former) hairstyle with heavy bangs can look that way. Happily, BB, who found the bows on this dress “cutesy,” and Ann in Canada, who found them “ridiculous,” were not accused of calling Michelle cutesy or ridiculous. You might also note I was calling myself crazy, caring so much about her hair.
I am indeed a “Michelle Fan” and became a part of this site so early on I got the good screen name before anyone else tried to choose it. In every way I am an Obama supporter -- and a donor.
Audrey, chill, will ya? Michellefan was only expressing her opinion. I believe that free speech is still one of the sacred American rights (along with bearing--and baring--arms), right? She was just sayin'-- Decent human beings can look silly and out of control. Regularly. And that includes MO. There's nothing offensive in saying that--
Maybe you might be wanting to take your own advice and follow MO's excellent example not to take [yourself] too seriously, not to get trapped in other people's projections-- et cetera.
Very pretty dress on the First Lady ~ I like this length on her as it enhances her long legs (some of her other dresses are nice but a tad longer). She looks very youthful in this dress!
@Philly: I won't be "lightening up" any time soon!
Fashion blog or not, there are still boundaries and rules for respectful commentary in any civilized circle--
The incivility that permeates our society today stems precisely from these sort of initial crossing of lines and boundaries and disrespecting and dehumanizing others via the cowardly veil of anonymity the internet permits - and all in the name of "free speech".
It's impossible that you would even have the nerve to tell any stranger, and especially not Mrs Obama, to their face that they look "silly or out of control" simply because they've chosen a hairstyle they clearly like -
The idea that @Philly has in her life and world people who obviously indulge and accept flippant and insulting descriptions of themselves and any aspect of themselves as "silly and out of control", and insulting throw-aways such as that, does not necessarily mean that many of us think it's perfectly acceptable - or innoffensive to do the same to complete strangers --or the First Lady of the United States for that matter--
It is offensive - and extremely so!
This continues to be the strongest argument against forums such as this - the entire sense that familiarity does tend to breed contempt-
And @Philly, Mrs Obama is neither your friend, mate or family member to be subjected to your overly-familiar and flippantly insulting commentary or that of others -- and she will not be disrespected or insulted for kicks on a fashion blog simply because you arbitrarily decide to extend beyond your own world, the unacceptably poor manners which you clearly seem to have no problem showing the people in your life-
By all means, feel free to dislike any aspect of clothing if you will, but there are ways of doing so without the utterly demeaning, insulting and flippantly disrespectful familiarity-
@Michellefan: I've come to expect such cuttingly insulting, disrespectful and dehumanizing commentary about the choices of a very capable woman like Mrs Obama from right-wingers, but certainly not from self-proclaimed "supporters"--
I am not so sure MO "clearly liked" her bangs. The bangs did not last long. It seems she started to grow them out as soon as she cut them. I liked the bangs, but as someone who is also growing out her own bangs, they do go through an unruley faze. As an aside, I am curious about the use of so many ------- in exchange for proper grammar. It is distracting and unusual. I think texting has made people lazy with their writing. I am not a English Teacher and I know my use of punctuation is not always correct , but I do think it is important to at least attempt to use proper punctuation and not just a bunch of -------------
And by the way, there was absolutely nothing offensive or disrespectful about BB's comment - or her use of the word cutesy to describe the bows on the dress--
On the other hand, Ann in Canada's hostility and passive aggression towards Mrs Obama and anyone who pushes back on perceived disrespect of the First Lady, has long been taken notice of -- Many of us now choose to simply ignore her.
She makes no pretense of liking Mrs Obama -- which makes her participation on this blog dedicated to Mrs Obama through the years, a complete mystery -- but only to those who still don't understand how a well-meaning forum such as this ends up providing a convenient outlet for those who wish to denigrate and insult this First Lady -- albeit via cutting insults masquerading as "fashion critiques" --
Those of us who disagree with the disrespectful tone of some of these "critiques" will continue to speak up--
Ooh! Y'all got me feeling a little scared up in here. How can we all disagree without being so disagreeable. Though this is supposedly a "fashion blog," I think, given the varied and deep meanings of what Michelle Obama represents to many of us, this blog ceased being about "fashion only" a loooong time ago. Personally, I don't have a problem with that; probably because I pay (more) attention to the political, social, cultural and racial implications the Obamas have on this country and the world, as well as what the first lady is wearing. Hey, I like fashion with my Fanon. (Fanon is not a designer for those who don't know. ;-)
But I digress. Back to the dress.
I don't find the dress appealing. It's not ghastly, but it just doesn't have that "ooh" factor like most of the Tracy Reese dresses the first lady wears. I, too, think the bows are "cutesy," a distraction. That, combined with the long hanging earrings, the "shaggy-curly" hairstyle, and the pattern of the dress, feels like to many things are "coming at you." A very "octupus-ey" look to me. And though I love the First Lady's sexy, toned arms (can't get enough of them most of the time), here, in comparison to the others in the photo, she looks a little "too exposed"--though, of course, she is not. May I feel that way because I'm seeing arms AND legs, while everyone else in the pic is suited-up from neck-to-foot. Hmm...oh well, I don't have to like everything the lady wears. (Sh*t, I don't even like everything I wear! ;-)
Now, the other pic?! With the sleeveless color block top and fitted black pants, at the Berlin Wall Memorial? Hot!! And that Tracy Reese gingham and parchment "dealy" she wore, headed to Ireland? Modern. Classic. Hip. Sexy. All that. Makes me..."ooh"...
P.S. Remember one of the Four Agreements: "What people do is not about you."
Seriously? Fashion blog, not foreign policy negotiations. I find myself skipping the comments of some....too negative, splitting hairs, taking exception with phraseology. Love the clothes, hate the haters!
Audrey, you say: And @Philly, Mrs Obama is neither your friend, mate or family member to be subjected to your overly-familiar and flippantly insulting commentary or that of others -- and she will not be disrespected or insulted for kicks on a fashion blog simply because you arbitrarily decide to extend beyond your own world, the unacceptably poor manners which you clearly seem to have no problem showing the people in your life-
Well, well. I'm getting the telling off that isn't appropriately mannerly for anyone except you, of course. Since you have seemingly styled yourself the Secret Service Protection Department of MO's fashion honour (whether she requires it or not), we will take your rants for what they are. Just a little out of control and silly.
I love getting a rise out of Audrey! She does go on and on.
Whew! Audrey and a few others are the reason I no longer comment on this post. Yikes, who wants to be called out like that? I do like this dress and agree that this hairstyle is very nice, with side bangs!
Audrey, AMEN!
Mrs. T, this was once such a peaceful, happy place. Now it is more like The World Wrestling Federation. Please do something. I am begging you to please do something.
@Suzie
I could not agree more. I have been the recipient of Audrey's nasty, judgmental, biased comments and it kept me away from the site for two months. Recently I returned to it only to find it filled even more with combative comments that have little or nothing to do with fashion.
Who needs this? Who needs to feel like one's comments are going to be ripped apart?
It is scary the way Audrey writes about Michelle Obama..... Mrs. Obama is a human being with faults like the rest of us. For her to be made into anything else is sheer
foolishness.
Audrey, I would just remind you that you're not the moderator and ask that you please not single out others on this blog at such length and with multiple comments. I've always welcomed respectful criticism on this forum and that won't change. Thanks for your understanding!
Briefly delurking to add my voice to this conversation. I've been around here long enough to know that this blog has always been rife with friction. The arguments and disagreements aren't new. So let's dispense with the myth that they are and it's all one person's fault. We all have very strong opinions and even stronger feelings, for better or worse when it comes to M.Obama. I fall into the category that love and respect her too much to question her fashion decisions. I adore her and thoroughly enjoy watching her, but feel that style is very personal and subjective. I very much enjoy Audrey's posts. The blog was deserted and dry for a bit there, but imho once Audrey started posting regularly it got people like me interested again and checking in more regularly. Let's hope she doesn't get run out by the usual (unregistered) suspects. We've been down this road before and it's starting to feel like another one of those.
Yes, she looks out of place.
Two cool words that sum up some of the expressed sentiments: Irony & Hubris!!!
Irony is sitting behind ones computer anonymously and freely ripping away at Mrs Obama without care or concern and yet expressing anxiety and frustration because:
"..Who needs this? Who needs to feel like one's comments are going to be ripped apart?.."
And Hubris is sitting behind ones computer anonymously and rudely questioning and calling out Mrs Obama's fashion decisions and choices while also expressing concern and frustration at being called out for disrespect and rudeness with:
"..Yikes, who wants to be called out like that?.."
For those quick to point out that Mrs Obama is a human being, don't just stop at reminding us of that only when we place her on a well-earned pedestal; We'd hope you remember how human she is too when you you reveal your own anxieties and sensitivity to the slightest criticism and push-back for comments made!!! If you in your anonymous participation cringe at being occasionally 'called out' or having your comments 'ripped apart', imagine what it must feel like to have everybody and their mama opining about your clothes and hair!!! And not always in the politest way!!!
Imagine being the subject of constant deconstruction and criticism even of your own clothing and hair style preferences by complete strangers many of whom think they know better!!!
If Mrs Obama is a human being with 'faults', perhaps we need to start taking into consideration just how WE might feel if the tables were turned and people felt entitled to very publicly and freely deconstruct us and our most mundane choices at will!!!
"Those of us who disagree with the disrespectful tone of some of these "critiques" will continue to speak up--"
Yes we will, Audrey; yes, we will.
@ Mrs. T,
I feel you're "singling" out Audrey. Others should be "reminded" with regard to posting respectful criticism as well.
One poster actually wrote "I love getting a rise out of Audrey! She does go on and on."
I'm with Eleroy and SoccerNana on this one. When I don't like something that Mrs. O wears I say so fairly and squarely and WHY. Those whose tone is to disrespect the First Lady because they don't like her or her husband have a different purpose. They deliberately say things to "get a rise" out of someone. We know who they are and I try not to read their comments. If I see something particularly obnoxious I alert Mrs. T and let her as the moderator decide what she wants to do with that particular post.
I am not one of the original or long time followers of this blog. So I don’t know about the offenders who have allegedly repeatedly plagued this site. I do know that it would be a shame if Mrs. T. is forced to shut down the ability to comment on her blog because people can’t be respectful of each other, of Mrs. O. and/or of Mrs. T.
The Welcome section of this site reads- “Mrs-O.com is a blog dedicated to chronicling the fashion and style of First Lady Michelle Obama.“ I know that’s why I come here- to see what Mrs. O has been wearing and to read what Mrs. T. has to say about it. This blog can be what Mrs. T. intends it to be without permitting comments especially comments like those that have been posted here recently.
We need to be able to agree to disagree, to recognize that not everyone has the same taste, that there is a right and a wrong way to express fashion dislikes (as well as likes) and that respect and courtesy should be exercised here at all times.
I must add my voice to the chorus supporting Audrey, Eleroy and Ladywatcher, to name a few, as they respond to the systematic and ongoing campaign by some on this blog to denigrate and totally disrespect the First Lady. It seems as if these malcontents cannot wait for any and all opportunities to come here to disrupt the usual give and take of opinions, commentaries and insights for which this blog is known for. Instead of offerring constructive commentary or critique when necessary, they use the occasion to throw barbs, insults and put-downs mascaraded as critiques. Well, unfortunately, when that happens it will illicit an immediate blow-back from those of us who reads it for what it is, an attempt to put down a woman who gets up every day and does more for this country than these detractors would ever accomplish in their miserable lives. Also, because of the anonymity of the internet most of the same culprits assume there will be no repercussion to their vile commentary since they are so anonymous and thereby, cowardly and unknown. So, no, don't think for one minute that they'll ever come a time where this type of behaviour is going to be allowed without an immediate and swift response. All this can be avoided if these people will choose to take a civility pill and understand that even though they may disagree with the First Lady's choices, they are just that, her choices, not there's. And if she continues to "disappoint" them, there's a quick solution to that problem, refrain from coming on a blog that is Pro-Michelle and go to those right wing sites that would roll out the red carpet to welcome you and your negative views.
I agree with an earlier comment: too much is going on here. The bows, the earings, the hair, the pattered dress... What a dissappointment.