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The First Lady made campaign stops in Orlando, Florida today, rallying supporters at the University of Central Florida. On the the fashion front: a Chris Benz Nelda dress in green and aqua print (previously seen last July, here) paired with a jeweled vintage belt by House of Lavande. Later, Mrs. O paid an unannounced visit to the Blanchard Park YMCA in Orlando, where she wore a floral gathered neck print top paired with white pants. Two fabulous summer looks for the First Lady!

Update: Reader Carmacer has spotted the First Lady's floral top at Zara, available here.

Delightful Blue Brocade

The President and First Lady hosted a state arrival ceremony to honor the President and First Lady of South Korea at the White House this morning. Braving rain showers, Mrs. O looked splendid in a cropped blue metallic brocade jacket and matching pencil skirt. A statement brooch (with major sparkle factor!) completed the look.

Late morning, the two first ladies headed to Annandale, VA for a ceremony at Annandale High School, which has a robust Korean community in its student body. Each woman gave remarks, expressing their friendship, and encouraging students to embrace hard work. On a style note, it appears that First Lady Kim Yoon-ok has a penchant for brooches as well!

Update: The First Lady wears a design by Chris Benz!

Photos by Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images, Haraz N. Ghanbari / AP Images, Mandel Ngan / Getty Images

A Dash of Sparkle

Photo by Saul Loeb / Getty Images

The President and First Lady attended the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s 34th Annual Awards Gala at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC this evening. For the event, Mrs. O debuted a fabulous strapless cocktail dress by Chris Benz. House of Lavande vintage Kenneth Jay Lane drop earrings completed the look. Love!

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Photos by Jason Hirschfeld, Gerry Broome / AP Images; Elaine Sanchez / DOD Photo

The First Lady had a full Thursday, taping an appearance for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition in Fayetteville, North Carolina (where, speaking of extreme, Mrs. O had to endure stifling East Coast heat), followed by a visit to Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

The Extreme Makeover: Home Edition episode focuses on a North Carolina community resource center for homeless female veterans, which will be redesigned and expanded with a new greenhouse and children’s playhouse. The episode is scheduled to air in October. The First Lady's TV appearance, as well as her stop in Virginia Beach, are part of her Joining Forces initiative with Jill Biden to support military service members and their families. 

Style wise, Mrs. O stayed cool with a pair of summer dresses belted at the waist. For her TV appearance, the First Lady chose a vibrant blue and green Chris Benz Nelda dress from Resort 201, seen here, accessorized with a jeweled bee belt from House of Lavande. For the stop at Oceana Naval Air Station, Mrs. O turned to a trustworthy staple, a Merona for Target dress, paired with a Sacai belt, first seen in August 2009, here. 

Some will remember that Malia Obama wore a Chris Benz dress this January, seen here. To my knowledge, this is the first occasion that the First Lady has done the same. Chris Benz is a young Parsons alum, who cut his teeth as a designer of dresses and special occasion for J.Crew before venturing out with his own eponymous label in 2007.

Malia Obama's Fashion Moment

Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

Those who wanted a good dose of American fashion at the state dinner will now get it! Thread NY reports that Malia Obama wore a Chris Benz Spring 2010 sequin tank and skirt to last week's fete. The pieces originate from the designer's Spring 2010 collection, seen here. 

It seems Malia Obama's ascension into high fashion runs parallel to that of Mr. Benz. Prior to starting his eponymous line, Benz was a designer of dresses and special occasion at J.Crew.