On the Job

Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson

As part of ongoing Joining Forces work, the First Lady appeared at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce today to announce that a range of businesses have committed to hire 100,000 veterans and military spouses by 2014.

On the style front: From the fabric, neckline and bit of button detail, it appears that the First Lady wears an Alexander McQueen dress (previously seen here).

If you're hoping to see a better photo, that makes two of us! Unfortunately, there seem to be few photos from this event.

"100,000 New Jobs for Veterans and Military Families" [White House Blog]

Mrs. O and Caroline Kennedy

Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy

"First Lady Michelle Obama waits with Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg in the Green Room of the White House before making remarks to the White House Historical Association, Oct. 31, 2011. The White House hosted a reception to honor the group's 50th anniversary."

Update: As several have observed in the comments, Caroline Kennedy wears an Alexander McQueen Slashed Sleeve Military Knit Pencil Dress, available here. The First Lady wears a two-tone pink dress by Jason Wu, which appears to be the same dress that Mrs. O wore on the cover of Vogue in March 2009, here. 

Belted in McQueen

Photos by Ben Stansall / Getty Images

The First Lady is known for her Alaia belts, but less acknowledged is that several of her signature pieces are in fact from the house of Alexander McQueen. Today adds a new Alexander McQueen belt to the mix, this variety with a dash of Western appeal.

To address students from the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School at the University of Oxford, Mrs. O wore a white tunic with slim black pants belted at the waist. It appears the top is an Alexander McQueen Victorian Bustle Cotton Piquet Shirt from Spring 2011, seen here. An Alexander McQueen Double Buckle Western belt from Spring 2011, seen here, adds an exclamation point to the look. 

Clearly Mrs. Obama is using this trip as an opportunity to honor several of her favorite British labels. Wonderful!

P.S. I'm sure many of you will remember how students from the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School in North London touched Mrs. O in 2009. Click here for a trip down memory lane. 

Cinco de Mayo

Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg / Getty Images

The President and First Lady held a Cinco de Mayo reception in the East Room of the White House yesterday. On the fashion front, Mrs. O paired a Fall 2010 dress by Laura Smalls with a belt by Alexander McQueen. 

Laura Smalls is an exciting new addition to Mrs. O's style repertoire. The African American designer and mother of three debuted her line in 2009 after years spent as an outerwear designer at Amerex Group. What's funny is that writer Gioia Diliberto for the Huffington Post saw this coming all along. She penned a piece titled "Laura Smalls: Michelle Obama's Next Favorite Designer?" back in September 2009. Amazing! [Huff Post]

Just Married

Congratulations to Catherine Middleton and Prince William! The bride chose a dress by a Mrs. O favorite -- Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. 

From the official press release:

“The lace applique for the bodice and skirt was handmade by the Royal School of Needlework, with individual flowers hand-cut from lace (in shapes of roses, thistle, daffodils and shamrocks). The dress is made of ivory and white satin gazar with a skirt in the shape of an opening flower. The satin bodice, narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips in a McQueen signature, is based on Victorian corsetry. The back is finished with 58 gazar and organza covered buttons.

The veil, made of ivory silk tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers, is held in place by a 1936 Cartier tiara, lent to Ms. Middleton by the Queen. (It was bought for her mother by the Duke of York and presented to Queen Elizabeth on her 18th birthday.) Ms. Middleton’s earrings—shaped like oak leaves with a pave set diamond acorn suspended in the center—are by Robinson Pelham. The shoes are also by McQueen.”

"Vogue on Catherine Middleton's Wedding Dress" [Vogue]