Jason Wu for Target

Exciting news for Jason Wu fans! The young designer and Mrs. O-favorite is launching a Jason Wu for Target collection on February 5, 2012. 

Wu told Women's Wear Daily:

"The exciting thing about this limited edition collection of affordable women’s wear and accessories is that it allows me to reach a wider audience and bring my designs to people who may not have been able to purchase them before."

The collection will feature women’s apparel, handbags and scarves, with prices ranging from $19.99 to $59.99 for apparel and $19.99 to $49.99 for handbags and scarves. Stay tuned for updates!

Sunday Best

Photo by Carolyn Kaster / AP Images

The Obama family attended Sunday church services at St. John's Episcopal Church in Washington, DC today. For the outing, First Lady Mrs. O rewore a pressed daffodil-printed Jason Wu dress from Resort 2011, last seen here. Lavender flats and a double strand of pearls completed the look.

Later in the day, the Obamas watched the World Cup soccer game between the U.S. and Japan from the Treaty Room office in the residence of the White House. Reader Charlene in Detroit has helped to identify Mrs. O's floral print halter top, which appears to be MM6 by Maison Martin Margiela, available here.

Curiously, New York Magazine observes that both the Jason Wu dress and Maison Martin Margiela top were last worn on the same day, March 22, 2011, here and here, while the First Lady traveled through El Salvador. Perhaps Mrs. O's wardrobe is rotated on some sort of schedule?

Official White House Photo / Pete Souza

A Fundraising First Lady

Photo by Andy Duback / AP Images

The First Lady was in Boston, Massachusetts and Burlington, Vermont today for a double duty trip to the Northeast. In Boston, the First Lady spoke at a DNC fundraiser, followed by two more in Vermont. While there, Mrs. O also managed to squeeze in a trip to the Vermont Army National Guard’s Aviation Support Facility to speak with military families. Quite a day!

For the appearances, Mrs. O wore a white sheath dress with black-fleck texture through the fabric and black chiffon trim at the waist.

A few details from the Boston fundraiser per the Boston Globe:

• The fundraiser was planned by Bryan Rafanelli, who also planned two state dinners for the Obamas, as well as the reciprocal dinner the Obamas hosted recently in London for Queen Elizabeth II.
• It was held outside, under a tent erected against a backdrop of rhododendrons. The white tent and white fabric draping the poles was enhanced by brilliant, lime-green patterned tablecloths with white leaf-like designs. The flowers were by Winstons: peonies, hydrangeas and orchids.
• The menu, by The Catered Affair, consisted of a crab stack; avocado, tomato, cucumber and mango; a salad of baby mixed lettuces; and cilantro lime vinaigrette. Dessert was a selection of tartlets.
• Asked to help a reporter better describe her dress, Rafanelli said simply, “Fabulous.”

Update: That "fabulous" dress is custom Jason Wu. Fabulous indeed!

"First Lady describes toll of job on husband" [Boston Globe]

On Point

On Friday evening Mrs Obama was at West Point to address cadets at their graduation banquet, becoming the first First Lady ever to do so. Staying true to her mission of supporting military families, she stressed the importance of supporting army personnel who are far from home and family, and to draw strength from their own families.  Her full speech will be available to view from the West Point website at 9am on Saturday. 

With her customary grace and style, the First Lady provided a splash of vibrant colour amid a sea of white uniforms. She wore the scarlet silk, V-neck Jason Wu dress that we first saw on the cover of Glamour back in October 2009 (here).  On arrival this was paired with the ivory L’Wren Scott cardigan, beaded with scarlet flowers and leaves, that we have seen many times before. I'm not sure it's ever looked better. Classic pearls completed the look. 

Photos currently available for this event are not helpful in terms of showing off the outfit (hence my delay in posting).  However, as you can see a full length shot of Mrs Obama here (3^rd photo in slideshow) and as we have some quite good photos in the archives, I have simply chosen the best pictures of Mrs O herself at this event.  

Happy weekend! 

AP Photo/Mike Groll

No Shrinking Violets

Image by Edgard Garrido / Reuters Pictures

The first family has arrived in El Salvador, where Mrs. O met with El Salvador's first lady, Vanda Pignato, to inaugurate the Ciudad Mujer women's center. For the event, both women chose violet. Mrs. O wore a printed Jason Wu frock from Resort 2011, accessorized with an Alexis Bittar pin at the shoulder.