Mixed Prints
Tuesday, August 27, 2013 at 9:40 PM 
The First Lady spoke at a screening of "The Powerbroker: Whitney Young's Fight for Civil Rights" at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, DC yesterday. The screening was part of the celebrations commemorating the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington.
For the event, Mrs. O turned to a festive, mixed print summer frock, paired with two tone, open toe heels. The dress is not yet confirmed as such, but appears to be a new creation from Duro Olowu. The mix of prints is the designer's signature, while the shape and detailing of the dress appears similar to another Duro Olowu frock, seen here. Of note, it would appear Mrs. O has added subtle face-framing highlights.
Update: Mrs. O wears the "Roselda" dress from Duro Olowu's Spring Summer 2013 collection.
Duro Olowu
Reader Comments (21)
I don't understand this dress, too many patterns...there is too much going on for one dress !
I just love this look-- and it's so HER; mixing patterns/colors that you would not always do!! LOVE my First Lady!!
I really like these mixed pattern dresses...though I think really only tall slim women should attempt ones like this...Mrs O looks smashing! For those of use who are height/weight challenged, I think mixed pattern top/sweater combos and solid bottoms is a better look...
This is a fun dress. I don't ususally go for mixing so many patterns but it really works here and the shoes pair well with it. Very nicely done.
Fashion forward!
That's the wonderful Mrs. O!
The beauty of Mrs. Obama is her determination not to be a slave to convention as some posters here seem to be. She's 100% her authentic self, and when it comes to fashion, is willing to take risks, some of which may not meet the rigid guidelines set by some stiff necks who drop in on this site from time to time. So BRAVO to the first lady for choosing such a festive and colorful dress for the occasion of remembering and celebrating the life and contribution of one of the nation's foremost civil rights leaders, Whitney Young, with these young people. So, Winnie Jeans, it doesn't matter whether you "get" this dress or not. It only matters that the First Lady does!
I don't always go for the mixed prints either, but I like this. Killer shoes, although maybe something more subtle would be better given the exuberant dress.
Those shoes are too cute! I'm glad she wore them with this outfit-Perfect! A perfect "dog days of summer" outfit!
You're right! Definitely Duro Olowu S/S 2013:
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/slideshow/S2013RTW-DOLOWU/#15
Perfection.
I love it! And, purple toes!!
Not a fan of the dress, the style of patterns are way to busy for me.
I do not like this dress, although the shoes are lovely.
Other than the strange and detracting hemline, I'd like the dress at a garden party but not at a serious civil rights commemoration --- way too casual and frivolous.
This combination is a miss. The shoes are wonderful as stand alones. Black patent heels might have saved this dress choice, but the prints clash far too much.
Awesome shoes!
This was not a "serious civil rights commemoration" but an informal gathering organized by the First Lady's office for SCHOOL CHILDREN. Important to keep things in perspective. This was at a screening of a documentary of the life of Whitney Young to SCHOOL CHILDREN on a casual summer afternoon. So the dress was a suitable pick and was in no way frivolous.
Happy Labor Day everyone! I am not a fan of the hemline but I like the colorful dress. We know that FLOTUS loves bright color ( I do too :-)); it's one of her signatures. The designer is know for his bright "mismatch" (in the old definition of the word) prints. The shoes work fine with the dress. She looks great and I love the hair highlights!
Very pretty dress. This is probably the very fist time I have actually liked a high low outfit. The shoes are to die for! Could someone please ID the shoes? I want them, need them, crave them. N-O-W. This site is one of my absolute favorites. Both for the very incredible lady they represent and the tasteful way the blogger presents the matter. Thank you!
Artistic, alive, very pretty. The designer has carefully blended the different colours with a 'theme' so that the sleeve flowers match the pattern in the skirt. Nice bit of green detail down the front. Perfect shoe (my favourite style) – softens the dress.
This is such a fun outfit to see Mrs. Obama wearing, and it 'screams' (not too loudly!) that it's fun to wear with colorful and cute shoes and purple nails for more to enjoy. Many people (particularly the kids in the auditorium) are not going to be able to see every detail, but it's carefully coordinated nevertheless. And, Mrs. Obama has the perfect 'do to speak to kids. My only detracting comment is that I would've like to see an exchange of floral patterns, the bodice print for the main pattern of the skirt, vice versa. I love a floral Monet print on Mrs. Obama.
It is so exciting to see a woman as First Lady, that is vibrantly alive and commissioned to work for the good of our country, and can take advantage of her position to present a celebratory and inspirational appearance.
I LOVE this dress! Mrs. O looks absolutely fabulous and she's supporting a cutting-edge African designer.