ASOS or DVF?

Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP Images

The Huffington Post ran a style story today with the headline, "FLOTUS Looks Boo-tiful in DVF" referring to the diagonal stripe dress that the First Lady wore for yesterday's White House Halloween festivities. The story elaborates, "The FLOTUS wore a a black coat over a festive orange, gold and black striped dress from the Diane von Furtsenberg Fall 2011 collection." The dress is also available at Neiman Marcus, here.

When I saw the dress in question, I assumed (and reported) that it was the ASOS Midi Body-Conscious Dress in Metallic Stripe, seen here. But now, I'm not so sure. Well, pretty sure, but the eyes can deceive, and The Huffington Post proclaimed DVF so boldly. Either would seem to be a viable possibility, as Mrs. O has worn both labels on multiple occasions. 

A few questions arise: Is Mrs. O indeed wearing the ASOS dress? Is the ASOS dress a copy of DVF? And is this adventures in copyright territory? Of note, Diane von Furstenberg has worked to establish the Innovative Design Protection and Piracy Prevention Act through her role as President of the CFDA.

Thoughts?

Delightful Dots

Photo by Jewel Samad / Getty Images

The President and First Lady greeted German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a White House arrival ceremony earlier today. For the occasion, Mrs. O chose a mixed print dot dress paired with pink pumps. Lovely!

Any thoughts on the designer? Update: The dress is confirmed as custom DVF from Resort 2012. You can see a peek of the dotted fabric here. Thanks to fashion journalist extraordinaire Jim Shi and various style savvy readers for the help! 

Questions and Answers

Images by Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

Earlier today, the First Lady hosted a White House event for "Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day." For the occasion, Mrs. O wore a floral DVF dress, paired with a cream cardigan and duo of jeweled pins. Red flats completed the look.

As part of the day, 200 children of White House employees had a chance to ask Mrs. O a few questions, captured in the Politico article below. Definitely worth a read!

"Michelle Obama's Favorite Things" [Politico]

Happy Seder

Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

P.S. As several have noted, the First Lady appears to be wearing the Julian wrap dress in Vintage Pansy from the Spring 2009 Diane von Furstenberg collection. Mrs. O first debuted the dress last year in Mexico, here.

A Grand Marvel

Photo by Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP Images

While in Rio de Janeiro, the First Family did a bit of sightseeing, visiting the Christ the Redeemer Statue on Corcovado Mountain. For the outing, Mrs. O wore a striped wrap top, paired with navy trousers and a coordinating jacket. 

Update: Vogue UK reports that Mrs. O wears a DVF SS2011 ensemble.

"Michelle Obama settles DVF row" [Vogue UK]