Simply Stunning
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at 10:18 PM 
Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Time Inc.
We are beside ourselves, our First Lady is so beautiful. Really, there are no words.
Mrs. O is in New York City this evening, to address Time Magazine's "100 Most Influential People" gala.
Update: Red Carpet Fashion Awards reports that Mrs. O wore a simple black sleeveless Azzedine Alaia gown, with a Peter Soronen corset, accessorized with multiple strands of necklaces by Loree Rodkin, and simple diamond stud earrings.
Correction: Mrs. O wears a Michael Kors square neck gown in stretch, double face wool crepe. 
Photo by The White House
A fantastic slideshow from Talking Points Memo follows here.
REMARKS OF FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA TIME MAGAZINE'S 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE AWARDS New York, NY; May 5, 2009
Thank you Rick for that kind introduction and thank you for including me in tonight's festivities. It is a pleasure to join you all. There are few times in history when the saying 'we are all in this together' would be more applicable than now. Events like this one show how truly connected our world is; how one person's invention can create an entirely new economy; how one person can change how we see the world. The ability of one person to influence the outcome of someone else's life inspires me.
When I made the decision to leave my job to found Public Allies Chicago, an AmeriCorps program that prepares youth for public service, I realized right away that I had made the right decision.There are few things more rewarding than watching young people recognize that they have the power to enrich not only their lives, but the lives of others as well. But careers in public service are not always encouraged. We push our young people to strive for things, an advanced degree, a job title, a big salary. Rarely do we urge them to stop and think about what their passion is, what kind of life they want to live, what kind of neighbors and colleagues and parents they want to be.
In doing so, we, as a society, often miss out on their creativity, their inventiveness, their resourcefulness- and some really good ideas! We also miss out on the opportunity to inspire a new generation of innovators and entrepreneurs who will direct their energy and talent toward solving their community's - and our nation's - most serious social problems. Careers focused on lifting up our communities - whether helping transform troubled schools or training workers for green jobs or helping low-income families access health care - are not always obvious. But, at a time when our nation is facing unprecedented challenges, encouraging careers in public service and social innovation is more important than ever. Already, we are seeing young people leading the way with their entrepreneurial spirit, energy and commitment to serving their communities.
For example, Charles Best, a former Bronx public school teacher, started an online philanthropic marketplace called Donors Choose to help teachers who were spending up to $500 a year out of their own pockets for basic classroom materials. Through Donors Choose, ordinary citizens can directly fund projects initiated by enterprising public school teachers. Online donations have helped students in San Jose become avid readers through the Dr. Seuss series. An art class in the Bronx had no paint brushes. Now every student has a set.
Rebecca Onie is a social entrepreneur who founded "Project Health" to help break the link between poverty and poor health. I remember meeting Rebecca when I was at the University of Chicago and I was very impressed with her. Rebecca organizes college students to staff Help Desks in urban medical centers, universities and community centers. Students then connect low-income families to other critical community and government resources - such as housing vouchers, supplemental nutrition assistance, and educational support. This year, 600 college volunteers will dedicate 100,000 hours to connect over 15,000 low-income children and adults to the resources they need to be healthy."
And then there is John Alford who grew up in a housing project in Brooklyn, attended college in North Carolina and then Harvard Business School. John recently launched NOLA 180 a 'turn-around' organization for failing public schools in New Orleans. NOLA 180 transforms these public schools into high-functioning charter schools that prepare every student for college. Langston Hughes Academy is the first school to benefit. Students spend 50 percent more time in their classrooms. Parents are given teacher's cell phone numbers so they can call for help with homework. And, in honor of their namesake, Langston Hughes, students receive instruction in persuasive writing, public speaking, debate and poetry. In its first year, Langston Hughes students outperformed the city's public school average in reading, writing and math.
Charles, Rebecca and John. I know they are here somewhere. Congratulations and thanks for all of your hard work. This is exactly the kind of social innovation and entrepreneurship we should be encouraging all across this country.
And that is why tonight, I am pleased to announce that as part of the new Serve America Act, the Administration is creating a Social Innovation Fund to help innovative nonprofit groups and social entrepreneurs, like the ones I just mentioned, expand their successful approaches to tackling our most pressing national challenges. The idea is simple: find the most effective programs out there and then provide the capital needed to replicate their success in communities around the country. By focusing on high-impact, results-oriented non-profits, we will ensure that government dollars are spent in a way that is effective, accountable and worthy of the public trust.
In this room of Leaders and Revolutionaries, Builders and Titans, Artists and Entertainers, Scientists and Thinkers, Heroes and Pioneers, I think we can all agree, we did not get to where we are alone. Our success was made possible with the encouragement of a diligent parent or teacher, a grandparent who told us we had real talent, an older sibling who paved the way and set a good example, a scholarship or grant that created an unexpected opportunity, or a neighbor or community leader who told us to dream big. That's certainly been the case in my own life.
I stand here today because of people who loved me, and pushed me and believed in me. I stand here today because of scholarships and grants and experiences that gave me opportunities I was afraid to dream of. I never imagined that, as a result of all that support, I would be in a position to be a role model for girls around the globe. Girls who look at me and see something more for themselves, more than society expects of them. Girls who now think anything is possible. As global leaders, let's not underestimate the power each of us has to change the world for someone - and let us not be afraid to try.
Loree Rodkin, Michael Kors, Peter Soronen in Outfits
Reader Comments (332)
stunning.
Go to WireImage.com you will see other angles of the dress. The back is made just like the front.
It is at the Corte Salon in DC; they were actually very nice about getting back to me. I happenned to call the day before Mrs. O left for Europe and asked for Johnny Wright and they told me that he would be traveling for the next 2 weeks (Duh for me!). But they did get back to me promptly. It is pricey, but not etraordinarily so + I decided to splurge this summer and get a cut cause it will be my birthday. (OK, you can drool now [Smile])
Michelle looks so lovely, here are some pictures.
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Michelle-Obama/ss/events/pl/050108michelleobama
VavavOOOOOOm, absolutely gorgeous!
i bet the designer is alaia. the dress is too well constructed... second choice would be pinto.
Oh you are too kind LOL. Get the Obama updo Ok and then take picks so I can copy it, take lots of notes, its the least you can do!!!
I say narcisso Rodriguez
I love it! I love her! She makes me so proud;-)
I'm going with Scaasi for $200.
The pictures on wireimage are great. There's some with Mrs. O and Oprah, as well as Mrs. O greeting the ladies of the View, particularly Elizabeth and Barbara.
Man, I can't get over how regal she looks tonight.
OK, I will "The O M". Be on the lookout in July so we can exchange info so I can get the notes and pics to you. On a final note, Mrs. O does look gorgeous tonight. And I bet you she is wearing heels, which is why she stands up proud and beautiful tonite!
Lily I'll be on the lookout! have a great time!
Before I go to bed, I just have to say.....DAMN!
With that, I say good night with a big old smile on my face of our intelligent, gorgeous, model-looking, statuesque, superior First Lady. After viewing wireimage(dot)com, she was the best looking there. Take that back, I can't go to sleep yet...wow! Just wow!
Very elegant! She looks amazing in evening wear.
She really was the best looking there. First the arms NOW the waistline...Ive got alot of work to do!
I'm going to tape the View to see what those hens have to say.
LOL @ T.O. Mimi and "Scaasi for $200"
That Other Mimi,
Please report back what they say. Elizabeth seemed really excited to greet her in that one picture from wireimage.
And yes - she was BY FAR the most beautiful woman at the event tonight, from what I saw. She has that "it" factor. It's joy in her life. I hope she keeps wearing her funky cardigans, her full skirts, her whimsical prints - so long as she is happy. Her naysayers will be ok.
Donna No Shock ....thank you girl I enjoyed the wireimagine pics. and Of course Mrs T
Janelle, if u r signed up on Twitter WWD, has been giving good updates all evening. But Joy from The Views was way quicker (love her).
I can go to bed with good smile, having seen that beautiful dress.
Good nite all
OH I CAME BACK BECAUSE I JUST READ A GREAT ARTICLE OPRAH WINFREY WROTE ABOUT FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA. IT WAS GREAT.....A MUST READ INDEED...
HERE IS THE LINK:
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1894410_1894289_1894256,00.html
Doesn't she look like a woman with is deeply and passionately loved.......
WoW! I think this is my fav look eva, STUNNING.
She looks stunning. So classy and graceful. I love the look.
Thanks stylishgurl, I'll sign up at WWD. Can't sleep...too much glam that my pressure went up!
@That OM, I say Oscar de la Renta for $150!
Yes she does, that other Jenna, yes she does.
There was an interview that Mr. and Mrs. O did together during the campaign...it was right after the Rev. Wright situation, so it was kind of a tense interview.
Anyway, Meredith Viera was doing the interview, and she asked Mrs. O if she ever gets angry at the campaign attacks against her hubby. Mrs. O played around and said, "no," then laughed and made a joke about how she reads the paper and balls it up and throws it in anger. It was funny.
She then says that, in honesty, it does bother her because she loves her husband, and then she held his hand, and he rubbed her hand and it was the smallest gesture, but it was the first time I had ever seen them interact, and the intensity of their love struck me through the tv. And from all accounts from Valerie Jarrett to others, they are unbelievably close. It's very telling, by the way they carry themselves through all of this, the power of real love.
I know, Janelle. I feel ya, I need to ohh and ahhh a bit more.
Janelle Oscar?? surely you jest!! he gown is too overstated for Oscar!!
You know I can see why they are in a tizzy to dress Michelle. Maybe it is a compliment they want to dress her...she is a dream, plus she connects their designs with regular America.
I need to come off my glamor high. So much fun!
Here is the upclose photo of First Lady Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey. Michelle's makeup is flawless; I would like to know what foundation and pressed powder she usses.
http://www(dot)gettyimages(dot)com/detail/86428523/WireImage?axd=DetailPaging.Generic
Huzzah!
OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!
I am so tearing right now!!! I am speechless!
This woman does not follow anyone's lead but her own! I couldn't love her anymore than I do right now (but then again I say that every time...lol)
ZERO FAULT!!!!
LOL @ desertwind. 'nuff said, huh?
I'm loving the comments tonight.
@ That OM--I was so kidding about Oscar doing this gown. No way. I really have no clue but I hope someone finds out by morning.
She's one classy lady! I would not expect the beads but they are a delightful change-up.
Janelle, I was kidding. Looking at some of Oscar's latest designs, he is the total opposite of our Michelle.
Perfect. Period.
Michael Kors?
@ desertwind,
You know it is a very classic look, someone previously said Audrey Hepburn inspired...I wouldn't be surprised if it were Kors.
Ok I tweeted Oprah about Michelle's dress LOL she is twittering about the event.
desertwind....good guess, I cant sleep so I'm going to check on it.
new pic.. mrs o. with elmo.. soo cute
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Top-Stories-Photos-First-lady-Michelle-Obama-Sesame-Workshop-Sesame-Street/ss/705/im:/090506/480/00c47939608249c7ba4bd2ae14ceafbb/print;_ylt=AlUyePHBXUx2agBNtgPwbzlsaMYA
Eat your heart out Oscar de la renta, Mrs.O clearly does not need you.
edwina,
I agree.
The look does look very Audrey Hepburn'ish.
I think I am going to start a file and keep a collection of photos of when Michelle wears something that reminds me of Hepburn, JackieO, Sofia Loren, Marilyn Monroe, etc. I am sure that by the end of eight years will we see a hint of a lot of different folks in her outfits!
Huffington Post now has pictures up on their Style page. They have the most wonderful close-up of Michelle's radiantly smiling face. Gorgeous! Fantastic!
I do love the dress and I think Michelle looks marvelous, but I wish that her hair was pulled up a little more on the right side - I'm not so sure that I am a fan of her hair wrapped over her right ear and covering it up like that. In the HuffPo closeup photo the 'do' looks good but in some of the other photos the right ear being covered up looks a bit off.
Now don't ya'll bite off my head for saying so, it's just my opinion - and I'm stickin' to it.
I still love Mrs. O's outfit, but looking at the Wire images pic, I almost wish she had done color: everyone is in black! Isn't that so New York!
Leah D,
I agree with you. In some of the pictures of her from her right, I thought her hair looked almost helmet-like from that angle. The right side could have used some other kind of flair. But, despite this, she still looks great.
Mrs. O was, without question, the best looking woman there. As far as style, the only one who could touch her was Stella McCartney who gets the silver medal. And she's a freaking designer!
She looked exquisite. I love that structures silhouette on her. And whoever said she kills an evening look is right. The only evening look I didn't like was inauguration, and that was mostly because she was in a rush didn't have time to really glam it up. But other than that fluke, she's consistently kills it with evening wear.
Loves it.
From the Hoff post!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/05/michelle-obama-at-time-10_n_197449.html
So beautiful and poised. I adore my First Lady!
Is she going to buy these expensive clothes for the next eight years and only wear them once?