A Toast to Modern Glamour

Photo by Ron Sachs-Pool/Getty Images

Tonight is the much anticipated Governors Ball, held in the State Dining Room of the White House. Surprisingly, few photos have surfaced. Mrs. O appears to be wearing a chic black evening dress for the fete, paired with flawless hair and make-up. Fingers crossed we have a chance to see the gown!

Update #1: Mrs. O wears a black georgette tiered ruffle gown by Thakoon. If only there were full-length photos!

Update #2: Eddie Gehman Kohan, the editor at Obama Foodorama, has shared a bit of fabulous perspective on the evening. At the White House music preview event yesterday, Mrs. O relayed that she intended to wear white for the evening. The first lady told the audience: "Tonight we're having a big Ball, and everyone gets dressed up and I'm wearing white, just so you know." There seems to have been a change of wardrobe plans before the event!

Additionally, Ms. Gehman Kohan offered insight as to why there are so few photographs from last evening. In a change from the year prior, there was no formal ceremonial arrival for the governors and their spouses. Press wasn't allowed to photograph arrivals, and just a small group of photographers were allowed inside the State Dining Room after guests were seated.

For those interested in last evening's menu and table settings, Obama Foodorama has a great overview, here.

Update #3: The gown! Many thanks to Nyon for finding and sharing!

Image by Pete Souza / White House

Sleek and Chic

Image by Jewel Samad / Getty Images

Image by Kris Connor / Getty Images

In preparation for this evening's Governors Ball, the first lady hosted a music preview event at the White House this afternoon, featuring Grammy-winning composer and singer Harry Connick Jr. who performed for an audience including young glee club members from a local Washington, D.C. elementary school.

For the event, Mrs. O debuted a sleek new version of her bob haircut, wearing a v-neck dress with a patterned blouse top, paired with an Alaia belt and bolero.

Update: Mrs. O wore a custom sheath dress with gathered leaf print chiffon bodice by Jason Wu.

Radiant Red

Photo by Yuri Gripas / Reuters

First Lady Mrs. O met with the National Governors Associaton today, greeted by Governor Joe Manchin III of West Virginia as she arrived at the event. Dressed in a radiant red sheath dress, the first lady spoke in an effort to rally support from the nation's governors for her "Let's Move" initiative to combat childhood obesity. For more on the event, the Washington Post has an overview, here.

The choice of bold, red color seemed aligned with the first lady's call to action. As reader Rocky writes: "Mrs.O not only seeks to grab the attention of the governors with her message, but also with her choice of color. It's an inaudible call for people to take action and not slip into the background." Well said, Rocky!

Speaking of the dress, might this be the same MDLR (by Moises de la Renta) frock that we saw Mrs. O dazzle in last August, as seen here? While the lines of the dress are the same, the hue does appear more red-orange in the photos above. I'm awaiting confirmation from MDLR, and will relay once certain. Update: I've heard from MDLR that, "It appears to be an MDLR dress," in the same cut as the red dress, "but a more coral color this time."

Photo by Yuri Gripas / Reuters

Prep Apparel

Image by Saul Loeb / Getty Images

The first lady greeted store employees while touring the Fresh Grocer supermarket in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania this morning, wearing a multitude of layers: a white blouse, grey sweater and blue blazer all cinched together with a royal blue belt at the waist, and paired with charcoal trousers.

The first lady is in Philadelphia to promote her "Let's Move" initiative, joined by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geither and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsac.

Update: Later in the day, the first lady also spoke about "Let's Move" at Fairhill Elementary School in Philadelphia, PA. Thank you IVA for suggesting such a lovely photo!

Image by Saul Loeb / Getty Images

Naeem Khan Fall 2010

Naeem Khan's Fall 2010 collection of beyond gorgeous gowns was presented last evening at Bryant Park. Check out a great overview of the collection from Rachel Dodes of the Wall Street Journal, here. In the story, Mr. Khan says of the first lady's choice to wear his gown for the state dinner last year:

“It’s the gift that doesn’t stop giving. My stuff is flying out of stores,” said Mr. Khan, clad in a black blazer and jeans, backstage. “I love it. My business is taking a big turn for the better. Even in an economy like this, glamorous things like these are selling in the stores. And for that I say, ‘Thank you Michelle Obama.’”

Interesting to note that a designer at the luxury end of the fashion spectrum is attributing a boost in sales to Mrs. O's patronage.