Mrs. O Sparkles in Naeem Khan
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 7:08 PM 
Image by Nicolas Kamm / Getty Images
Image by Nicolas Kamm / Getty Images
Official White House Photo / Pete Souza
First Lady Mrs. O has debuted her ensemble for the state dinner, wearing a gown by Indian-American designer Naeem Khan. The strapless gown features hand cut sterling silver sequins sewn on champagne silk chiffon, which create an abstract floral pattern. The dress is entirely handmade, requiring three weeks of work by 40 people, completed in Naeem Khan's family workshop in India. The custom, one-of-a-kind gown was made by the designer with the theme of Mrs. O's first state dinner in mind. The evening honors the stateside visit of Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, and his wife, Gursharan Kaur.
Mrs. O accessorized her ensemble with oversize Bochic drop earrings, featuring a fleur de lis at each ear and tear drop shapes made of gold and purple stones. Mrs. O completed the look with a dramatic stack of gold and diamond bangle bracelets on her left arm, a coordinating champagne-colored wrap, and her hair swept into a loose, romantic updo.
Earlier today Mrs. O hinted that she might turn to an Indian-American designer for her gown this evening, when she chose a skirt by another Indian-American designer, Rachel Roy, for the state dinner preview event. This is Mrs. O's first time publicly wearing a Naeem Khan design and what a debut! Mrs. O is bringing a modern brand of glamour to the White House, the likes of which we've not seen before.
For those who want to watch the coverage live, Politico has a livestream here. The White House will also live stream beginning at 8:15PM EST, here.
As a sidenote: Naeem Kahn is scheduled to be panelist on Larry King Live tonight at 9PM EST. Perhaps Larry will ask about the dress?
Update: We just watched Mr. Naeem Khan on Larry King Live. Of interest, both the designer's father and grandfather designed for Indian royalty in their careers. Mr. Khan relayed that he designed 3 or 4 gowns for the event, which were coordinated through Ikram Goldman in Chicago. The brief had been "Indian, chic, simple, but very glamorous." With that, Mr. Khan chose the color, embroidery, cut and all other aspects of the gowns. He called the moment of seeing the first lady in his design, "So joyous," continuing, "For me to be part of this historic occasion, being Indian, it is beyond amazing. It is an incredible moment for me."
Read more about the Naeem Khan's perspective (and the Halston influence beyond the state dinner dress) in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, here. Thanks denisegirl!
Official White House Photos by Pete Souza
Bochic, Naeem Khan
Reader Comments (246)
The thing that is so wonderful about the Obamas is that they are both Alphas clearly in love and proud of the other. Oh to be a woman with a man who admires you. Rarely do you see political husbands with that look of not just love but "THIS IS MY WOMAN" look at her I did good! Love the Obamas! Much needed glamor in this day and time.
Not only does our FLOTUS look fabulous, she is so smart and eloquent as well. I love her speech this afternoon to the mentees, where she spoke about her experiences traveling overseas and shared dreams and opportunities, and then tonight, I was so proud when Prime Minister Singh spoke about the warmth and graciousness of Michelle. Just what we need!
Wow I just have to say that is one of the most stunning outfits Mrs O has worn yet! Dont get me wrong, she always looks fab...but this is just amazing. The color, the texture, the cut....everything is perfect.
Wow. I'm not usually a fan of strapless, but I have to admit, she completely rocks it.
Super-stunning!!!
Mrs T. I'm trying to go to bed, but there's some kind of magnetic force field that keeps sucking me back to my laptop and all these stunning pictures and videos! Help!!!
OH.MY.GOODNESS. Doesn't she look stunning? And how appropriate to showcase an Indian-American designer for this evening. Class all the way.
Brilliant and thoughtful
Absolutely breathtaking!!! My first lady rocks!!!
Very well said Willow and JEB!!!
OMG! OMG!OMG! Absolutely, splendiferously, magnificently BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
POTUS looks as if he has fallen in love all over again.Phooey!! STUNNING!!
Naeem Khan and his wife are both known for their intricate embroidery and bead work. He already has a large following and also debuted a small collection for HSN a few months ago. Check out the Oct or Nov issue of Town and Country magazine in which they wrote a lifestyle expose on he and his family.
WOW. she looks unbelievably stunning!!!
Beautiful! Fresh, simple and yet so glamorous. Beautiful!
I AM IN LUUV WITH EVERYTHING SHE IS WEARING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MY HEART ALMOST STOPPED WHEN I SAW THIS OUTFIT! B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!....NOTHING MORE TO SAY CAUSE I AM SPEECHLESS!
AND I KNOW THE PRESIDENT GOT THAT SPECIAL TWINKLE IN HIS EYE! LOL
I cannot believe my eyes. She's flawlessly chic and most importantly she looks so confident. Thanks Mrs. T for giving us the chance to share our admiration for our First Lady.
I feel like Rocky---the magnetic force of this gorgeous dress has pulled me out of temporary blog hibernation. When I saw Mrs. O come out tonight, my mouth just dropped and I felt like Florida Evans from the sitcom 'Good Times": DAMN, DAMN D-A-M-N!
Pardon the language Mrs. T, but my First Lady is Fierce!!!!!
Hi Sona, I think the Non Indians wore Indian dresses here because some of them were married to Indian. For example the wife of Dr. Sanjay Gupta. I don't take it as inappropriate at all.
Wow! My former neighbor (who bought the Obamas' condo) played the White House! Awesome!
Perfection!!!!
Lustrous glistening silk!
Hands down, favorite look EVER! She just looks stunning
I'm so often struck with how modern, real, and "not stuffy" our First Lady is. It's so modern for femininity to be combined with strength and sculpted muscles. It's so modern for her to stand equal to her husband in height, presence and strength, but to still be totally and completely a very beautiful, very feminine woman. The originality and freshness with which she lives her role as first lady is always a breath of fresh air to me.
I love the way she breaks all the traditions and blazes her own trail. What an amazing role model.
I love it. Smart choice and absolutely stunning. I hope that he gets the exposure that he deserves. Naheem and his wife are quite talented. The First Lady's choices are individualistic, and often, quite exceptional. She is incredibly beautiful and has really modernized her role. I wish my mother were alive to see her. My mother would have gotten so much joy seeing her in the role of First Lady.
It must be difficult to have your outfits examined incessantly, but I hope the First Lady knows that no matter what she wears -- she is loved by the nation. We wish nothing but best wishes for her and her family
More pictures
Obama Foodarama has a very nice post from inside the tent. It's beautiful.
http://obamafoodorama.blogspot.com/2009/11/inside-tent-at-obamas-state-dinner-at.html
Willow, so well said. She combines strength, femininity, cool, glamour and earthiness so well. She never seems to have a chip on her shoulder, just so comfortable in her own skin.
Fabulous!!
no need to say more!!
Michelle's beauty if so undeniably sexy that it can no longer be contained. And the chemistry between her and President Obama is electrifying...
Man. Michelle Obama is smoking hot.
Mrs.O is looking good tonight. I love her hair, she really looks nice tonight.
Stunning Gown!! I happen to know that an "of the rack" Naeem Kahn evening gown goes for over $5000.00 USD. I wonder what we (the taxpayers) paid for that lovely 'custom" confection. Extremely indulgent in these financially restricted times. What happened to the JCrew wearing woman who first entered the white house.
I just regret that this first state dinner came after the publication of Mrs. T's book. This is one gown that I would LOVE to see close-up pictures of. The construction must be stunning.
I am going to PASS OUT!!! This is just "beyond" (Rachel Zoe is swooning somewhere tonight after seeing this). Mrs. O not only hit it out of the park, out of the country.....hell, she hit it out of ORBIT tonight!!! This has got to absolutely be one of her all time best look EVER. Poor old POTUS....this was a Jackie O moment. Not an eye was on him, all eyes were on the First Lady ! Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous. THIS is how to dress her figure. She looks like a Grecian statue come to life!
I must know what lotion or product she uses to get that golden glow!
Wohoooo! I Loooooooooooove!
I finally saw the initial entrance and I was blown away by the vision of Mrs. Obama in this ethereal and electrifying dress. Wow! I also noticed how beautifully the dress moved. It had a lot of weight. With thousands of sequins, I wonder if it weighed 10 or 15 lbs or even more.
This is the gown that should be in the Smithsonian--on a model with exactly that hairdo! Is it too late to change?
Wow, Wow, Wow! Could Mrs. O. possibly look more stunning? What a fabulous gown, made even more complete with her beautiful accessories.
Mrs. T, maybe you can interview Naeem Khan for us?
It will be perfect for Mrs. O Book Volume Two!
I wonder if he has any photos taken during the work on this dress?
Mrs. O-Inredible!!!!!!
Desiree-Fab, Fab, very fashion foward with an homage to India
Isn't she lovely.....? that is the song that came to my mind. Go Michelle go ! You look adorable and represent your country very well.
May God bless you, the president and the children..
Gorgeous, ravishing, stunning, phenomenal, and all those kind of adjectiv...
Samantha from Belgium
I agree Christina. Mrs. T will need to have an annual book that showcases Mrs.O. I know that we will be gushing over many more of Mrs. O's ensembles. But for now, her total look is just breathtaking. Love It!!!
p.s. Like Rocky and Janelle, I keep coming back to see the outfit and additional comments. :)
words fail
perfection achieved
just WOW
Michelle looks stunning! The hair, the gown the jewelry are all perfect. Michelle is our queen!
First Lady Michelle Obama is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!!!!! I LOVE her hair, the style is playful, yet SIMPLY ELEGANT!!!!!! Mr. President is DAPPER, as well!!!!!! When I saw her yesterday, I gasped and I've never done that before whenever I've seen anyone, never.
As an artist, I have immensely enjoyed everything she wears and how she wears it. Everyone can't pull it off like her. So avant guarde. She juxtapositionally adds the most beautiful, yet simply stated accessories without overkill. She has a great eye for placement...just great! The bangles compliment the weight and hues of the fabric. I really like the way she re-utilizes accessories...what woman doesn't don her favorites from time to time.
Flawless. Mr O suddenly finds himself married to the hottest supermodel in the world. He looks as smug as anything!
Nancy Reagan, Jacqueline Kennedy, Grace Coolidge, Frances Cleveland, Mary Lincoln, Dolley Madison . . . Mrs. O trumps them all in this number. The best dressed First Lady ever. Hands down. Comparisons to others are now passe. Others will now be compared to Mrs. O, not the other way round.
In response to Jill's question about whether it's appropriate or not for non-Indian women to wear sarees I think it's completely appropriate for non-Indian women to wear sarees to a state dinner for the Indian prime Minister. I'm not sure how it couldn't be. I have a pile of sarees that I love wearing. They are beautiful, glamourous, easy to wear, comfortable and stunning. One of my Indian friend's father's helps me buy them. He's a demon negotiator. I tell him which one I really really want and he gets the price he deems appropriate. It's an art form!
Oh Mrs O, i love you with this look!
You are so beautifull tonight.
MR. O looks amazing and so regal and gorgeous!!
Oh my goodness! She's just beautiful! This is OUR First Lady! I'm SO proud!