Today's post is a guest post from Terisa A., a writer at Bride Heaven (www.brideheaven.com), on how Michelle Obama translates her impeccable First Lady everyday style into evening looks when she goes to formal events. No one knows formalwear better than bridal wear experts! Enjoy!
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Michelle Obama has proven that she isn’t afraid to bend the rules of so-called First Lady fashion. We’ve rounded up a few of her best formalwear looks to prove that Michelle looks naturally fantastic in the most cutting-edge designers. Let’s take a look at how Michelle mixes edgy and intelligent choices for big occasions:
2011
China state dinner - Alexander McQueen resort collection
This red silk dress is by British house
Alexander McQueen, whose founding designer passed away in 2010. Michelle’s critics
were swift to point out that Michelle hadn’t chosen an American designer for
this state dinner honoring China in 2011. However, since the color red is
considered lucky in Chinese culture we think this was a good diplomatic move on
Michelle’s part. The digital orchid print is very cool and contemporary and is
a sure sign from Michelle that she doesn’t play by the ‘politician’s wife’
wardrobe rulebook.
2009
India state dinner – custom Naeem Khan
For her first foreign state dinner
honouring India in 2009, Michelle opted for Indian-born, American-educated
designer Naeem Khan. Khan was given a blank slate to design whatever he wished
for the then newly-installed First Lady. The dress Michelle and her stylist
eventually chose was a cream-colored column dress with a corseted bodice. The
silver poppy designs on the corset were real silver-plated sequins, hand sewn
in the Khan family workshop in India. It’s a very delicate and feminine choice
with another subtle tribute to the guest dignitaries.
2010
Mexico State Dinner – custom Peter Soronen
Michelle specifically requested a
one-shouldered gown from designer Peter Soronen, who had previously made four
dresses especially for her. The First Lady loves to show off her arms and
shoulders and this dress does just that. We love the striking, nearly-electric
blue colour of the dress and the belt which perfectly cinches in her waist. The
effect is incredibly youthful and alluring and the color complements Michelle
perfectly.
Tom
Ford, custom made 2011
Michelle wore this Tom Ford dress to a
Buckingham Palace state dinner in 2011. She instantly drew comparisons to Jackie
Kennedy, who a white gown with a similar colour and cut in 1961. The look is
widely agreed to be Michelle’s best state dinner dress so far. We think
Michelle glows in this dress and that it was the perfect choice for the
occasion. Whilst Tom Ford is an American-born designer, his design studios are
based in Victoria, London. Whether this connection was international or not, we
think Michelle looked fabulous.
Jason
Wu, custom made 2009-2010
Perhaps it’s inevitable that our favorite
gown worn by Michelle is also the most significant. On inauguration night in
2010, Michelle wore a one-shouldered Jason Wu gown with intricate chiffon
flowers and beading that swept the floor in a small pleated train. The dress
was airy and optimistic, and seemed to perfectly express what many felt about
her husband’s election win. In selecting Jason Wu, Michelle propelled his
career upwards and the young designer has since been unstoppable.
Fast forward to 2012, Pinterest recently
saw a flurry of surrounding Michelle
Obama’s wedding dress. Michelle ‘pinned’ a photo from her wedding day in
1992. The Harvard-educated former lawyer still shows the same style flair
today, whether she’s raising awareness for healthy eating in schools or
accompanying Barack to a formal state dinner.
