Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

Photo by Carolyn Kaster / AP Images

The First Family appeared at the dedication cermeony of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C. today. On the fashion front, Mrs. O wore a cranberry-hued dress by Alaia. A cardigan and pin at the waist completed the look. We've seen this dress once before, in September 2010, here.

Update: Mrs. O wears an Alexis Bittar Resort bowtie pin.

To read more about the dedication ceremony:

"President Obama Dedicates MLK Memorial" [Time/AP]

A Holiday Classic

Official White House photo by Lawrence Jackson

We have another holiday classic from Mrs. O in time for Christmas Eve. Though just surfacing now, this look is attributed to a White House holiday function held on December 7. Mrs. O wears a metallic black sleeveless frock from Alaia, first seen in Spring 2009 for The American Ballet Opening Night Spring Gala, here. A diamond flower pin at the collar updates the look. It is a fabulous holiday dress, very worthy of a repeat. Gorgeous then and now!

Must Read Mrs. O

Hope everyone is having a delightful weekend, and staying warm and cozy. For a bit of weekend reading, I thought you might enjoy this New York Times profile on a Mrs. O favorite, designer Azzedine Alaia. In fact, the profile begins with an account of the revered fashion critic, Cathy Horyn, tracking down Mr. Alaia to confirm that the first lady was wearing a dress of his design for the NATO dinner in April 2009. While Ms. Horyn is known for her sharp tongue, this piece is a bonafide kiss on both cheeks to Mr. Alaia. Enjoy! 

A reporter was calling from New York. That evening, April 3, 2009, at a dinner in Baden-Baden, Germany, for NATO leaders and their spouses, Michelle Obama had worn a form-fitting black dress opening to a tiered skirt. Pictures of it were on the Internet. The first lady obviously loved clothes, and the media quickly got the idea that she was not going to be stuck on one or two designers and almost as quickly developed a rationale for her ever-changing wardrobe. The 50-odd labels she wore in the first year reflected a “democratic” approach.

You couldn’t blame the wire services for not knowing every designer’s signature style. So the pictures from Baden-Baden were sent without ID.

But one thing alone identified the dress as an Alaïa; well, two things. Even without the cold gleam of the first lady’s arms, it provoked the idea that a woman tends to look her most beautiful in clothes that make her look strong, not glamorous or sexy or powerful. 

Azzedine Alaia: The Master of the Female Form: [NYT Fashion & Style]

Fashionable Finale

Photo by Ethan Miller / Getty Images

With election day just hours away, the first lady made a final push for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid today, speaking at a voter rally at Canyon Springs High School in North Las Vegas, Nevada.

For the event, Mrs. O paired a sleeveless black top with DVF's Bhare Skirt, last seen in September 2009, here. 

Image by Jeff Fusco / Getty Images

Update: The first lady was more than busy yesterday, flying from an event in Las Vegas, Nevada to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for a rally held at the University of Pennsylvania on the eve of election day. For her second appearance, Mrs. O changed into a cropped Alaia jacket and turtleneck, suitable for the east coast Fall weather.

Supporting Women in Jason Wu

Image by Robyn Beck / Getty Images

The first lady is a keynote speaker at The Women's Conference in Long Beach, California today, hosted by California First Lady Maria Shriver. For the speaking engagement, Mrs. O wore a custom sheath dress with gathered leaf print chiffon bodice by Jason Wu, paired with her signature Alaia belt at the empire waistline. 

The focus of Mrs. O's speech at the conference was support of military spouses. Per USA Today:

"While most of us don't experience these struggles to the same degree as military spouses – that nagging sense that you're falling short at work and at home, that tendency to worry about and care for everyone but yourself – these things are universal," she said.

She recalled a military wife in a discussion in Kentucky who was brought to tears detailing her stressful life when another woman jumped up and said, "I don't know this woman. But when she leaves here, she will have my number and she will be able to call me any time. She's got the support of this friend right here."

Obama brought the point home saying, "It is what we do for our sisters, it is what we do for our girlfriends, our mothers and our daughters. We show up. We show up at the door with some food. We show up at the door with some chocolate. And if things are really bad we show up with a bottle of wine. We, as women, know how to reach out. We know how to support each other. And the question is: What can we as women do to support our military spouses?"