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Tonight was the State Dinner to honor French President Francois Hollande. The big news is the fact that he would come sans his partner of course--after the news of his "affair" (how French!). Well, that's old news, it's all about what the U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama wore. The first lady chose a dramatic Carolina Herrera ball gown with a
voluminous skirt and lace applique top. Of note: the blue and black gown is the
first dress with sleeves Obama has worn to a state dinner. 







The dress includes a black hand-sewn beaded embroidery applique
scallop-edged top over a liberty blue silk faille corset, according to a
statement from the Carolina Herrera P.R. people. A wide black velvet belt breaks up the top
from the silk faille inverted pleat skirt. There was some speculation that Mrs. Obama would chose an American designer of French descent (as a style nod to the French President). However, this did not happen--Carolina Herrera is a Venezuelan-born American fashion designer popular with the red carpet A-List as well as Ladies-Who-Lunch Upper East Side Manhattan Doyennes.





Gown First Lady Michelle Obama is more known for an off-the-shoulder more fitted/column style gown so this is a bit of a departure for her. I think she looks very elegant, dramatic and very on-trend (ball gowns are BACK!).

First Lady in Red:










The custom-made red Jason Wu gown featured a full gathered floor-length skirt (ideal for dancing) fitted cinched waist done with a dyed-to-match duchess satin belt, round "key-hole" halter neckline (perfect to accentuate the First Lady's fabulous shoulders) with gold embellished ring and a plunging back.


















Congrats and Kudos to Jason Wu and his Team!!!

First Lady Style:










Michelle Obama looked flawless today during the 2013 Presidential Inauguration festivities. The newly-banged First Lady (when is the last time we saw a US First Lady with bangs!!??) donned a gray-blue silk jacquard A-Line shaped coat from US designer Thom Browne. The coat was based on a necktie fabric and custom-made for the First Lady. She also wore a fit-to-flare A-line Thom Browne dress underneath the coat (which she wore with a Reed Krakoff cropped cardigan) J.Crew Valentina pumps ($238), and a multistrand pearl necklace by Cathy Waterman ($17,300).




Thom Browne has made a name for himself with his shrunken suits, jackets, cropped "high-water" tailored skinny trousers--all of which has revolutionized the young menswear Contemporary market--and all his suits have been copied by the likes of H&M and TopMan. He designs for Brooks Brothers Black Fleece and in 2006 was honored by the Council of Fashion Designers of America with the Menswear Designer of the Year.













For the actual Swearing In in the US Capitol, she added a FABULOUS--and very on-trend--jeweled belt from JCrew, beautiful Aubergine Leather gloves and switched her pumps for some Reed Krakoff knee high boots. After today’s official events, Michelle Obama’s ensemble (and the
accessories) will go to the National Archives.



First Daughters Sasha and Malia:








The First Daughters, Sasha and Malia were in colorful shades of purple from Kate Spade and JCrew, respectively.  I LOVED the bold colors, and very fitted stylish coats. I especially liked Sasha's statement making necklace--also very on-trend:





 It is so endearing to see how much they have matured and grown up--from how they looked four years ago: