Mrs. O

NATO Spouses in Chicago

2012-05-21T07:19:10Z

As NATO leaders gathered in Chicago, Illinois yesterday, the First Lady hosted spouses for a special event at the Gary Comer Youth Center on the South Side. For the event, Mrs. O wore a cream hued dress with pleat and seam detailing at the neckline. For her photo with Anne-Mette Rasmussen, wife of NATO Secretary General Fogh Rasmussen, Mrs. O donned a coordinating jacket.

Earlier in the weekend, as the President and First Lady arrived in Chicago on Saturday evening, the couple was greeted by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and his wife Amy Rule. For travel, Mrs. O wore an olive hued wrap top paired with a printed skirt.

Update: For the Gary Comer Youth Center event, Mrs. O wore a Zac Posen dress and jacket, confirmed by the designer via Twitter. Miguel Ases earrings completed the look. Arriving in Chicago, Mrs. O wore a Rachel Roy Runway to Green Stencil skirt, also confirmed by the designer via Twitter.

A Most Lovely Hostess

2012-05-19T13:29:40Z

While G8 meetings are being held at Camp David, the First Lady has invited the G8 spouses to the White House for a tour guided by White House Curator Bill Allman, as well as a special lunch prepared by Chef José Andrés using produce from the White House kitchen garden.

Above, Mrs. O stands with Hitomi Noda, wife of Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, and Valerie Trierweiler, partner of French President Francois Hollande during the White House tour. For the occasion, the First Lady has debuted a purple v-neck frock with cut-out detailing near the hem. An iris pin by Alexis Bittar completes the look.

Tomorrow the group will travel to Chicago, where Mrs. O will host the spouses at the Gary Comer Youth Center on the South Side of Chicago, followed by dinner at the Art Institute of Chicago.

A note to readers: I will be traveling over the next 24 hours, but will do my best to update the blog in a timely fashion. Thank you for your understanding. x Mrs. T

Must Read: Designing Woman

2012-05-19T02:10:14Z

I enjoyed this Washington Post piece on designer Katie Ermilio and thought you might too. In 2008, the then 22-year-old submitted a sketch for Mrs. O's inaugural ball gown to a Washington Post reader contest. Robin Givhan, the former Washington Post fashion critic, declared Ermilio's design the winner. Since then, Ermilio has developed as a young designer, launching her eponymous line, Katie Ermilio, which has received early praise from Marie Claire and Lucky magazines. She is certainly one to watch in the fashion sphere, with an interesting tie to Mrs. O's style story no less. A contender for January 2013 perhaps? Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!

"Designing Woman: Katie Ermilio" [Washington Post]

Honoring US Army Specialist Sabo

2012-05-19T01:19:43Z

The President and First Lady shared a moment with Rose Mary Sabo-Brown following a ceremony to posthumously honor her late husband, US Army Specialist Leslie H. Sabo, Jr., with the Medal of Honor on Wednesday. For the occasion, Mrs. O wore a crimson pleated georgette crewneck dress by Michael Kors, previously seen here, paired with a red belt at the waist.

"Ellwood City solider Sabo receives posthumous Medal of Honor" [Pittsburgh Post Gazette]

P.S. Another touching moment and the White House photo of the day.

Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

Back to Basics

2012-05-16T02:08:17Z

It's been a sport-centric week for the First Lady thus far. Yesterday, Mrs. O addressed athletes from Team USA at a press conference held in Dallas, Texas. Today, she was back to the White House to host a Let's Move event honoring the LA Galaxy.

On the style front, black and white appears to be the palette du jour. Mrs. O paired an oversized flower pin with a striped top, blazer and white trousers (not shown) in Dallas. For today's White House event, Mrs. O wore her signature Alaia belt in white with a Moschino bow blouse and black trousers.

Update: Reader Elizabeth identifies Mrs. O's blazer as Moschino, available here.

President Obama at Barnard College

2012-05-14T22:12:40Z

"Until there are women who tell her, ignore our pop culture obsession over beauty and fashion — and focus instead on studying and inventing and competing and leading, she’ll think those are the only things that girls are supposed to care about. Now, Michelle will say, nothing wrong with caring about it a little bit. You can be stylish and powerful, too. That’s Michelle’s advice."

President Barack Obama, Barnard College, May 14, 2012

[Washington Post]

Mother's Day Cheer

2012-05-11T14:22:30Z

Yellow was the color du jour at the Mother's Day Joining Forces event held in the State Dining Room of the White House yesterday. The First Lady and Dr. Biden met with children from military families as they created Mother's Day cards and other crafts. Both women donned yellow, as Mrs. O re-wore a Rachel Roy frock, previously seen here.

Festivities continued beyond the White House. Joined by spouses of members of Congress, the ladies later gathered at the Naval Observatory to assemble Mother's Day packages that deployed US troops have requested to be sent to their mothers and wives at home. For her more casual look, Mrs. O wore a Sonia By Sonia Rykiel knit top and cardigan. A banner day for Joining Forces!

P.S. The pup below is the Biden family dog, Champ.

Obama Blue

2012-05-06T19:56:59Z

The First Lady was in Columbus, Ohio yesterday to introduce the President at a campaign rally held at the Ohio State University. For the event, Mrs. O wore a blue dress adorned with a turquoise Erickson Beamon starburst pin.

Colorblocking: The Patchwork Edition

2012-05-01T15:45:36Z

The First Lady attended the opening ceremony for the Warrior Games at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado yesterday. On the style front, Mrs. O turned to one of her classic shilouettes, the sheath dress, updated for spring in a colorblock meets patchwork pattern. Blue heels completed the look, which practically projects fun and cheer!

Update: While the designer has not yet been confirmed, reader Charlene in Detroit observes similarity to the pastel pixel print featured in the Preen Spring 2012 collection, seen here. Red Carpet Fashion Awards also credits the dress as Preen.

White House Correspondents' Dinner

2012-04-29T02:12:25Z

The President and First Lady are attending the White House Correspondents' Dinner this evening. For the occasion, Mrs. O has chosen a strapless printed gown paired with gold hoop earrings. Gorgeous!

Update: Mrs. O has once again turned to Naeem Khan for a formal event, wearing the designer's strapless paisley print organza ballgown. On the jewelry front, the First Lady wears the "Aurora" earrings by designer Carla Amorim, featuring 18k rose gold with cronaline and orange sapphires, as well as a ring by Sara Weinstock (not seen above, but visible in other photos).

Red Carpet Live Blog [Politico]