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)
Bevi, Wanda Sykes is the featured comedian at this year's correspondents' dinner.
Our First Lady is stunningly beautiful. Her speech is exceptional too. I love her so much.
CLASSY LADY. SMART, SINCERE, BEAUTIFUL. I want to be like her when I grow up:))))))))
In awe of this truly phenomonal woman. She is an inspiration. I can only imagine her daughters will be raised in the same positive light and influence. GOD bless you Michelle Obama and all women who are as sincere and stunning ( inside and outside) as she is.
Hello girls, &...boys (lol),
Janelle's rigth, Red Carpet'Fashion Critic wrote this today about MO : «The First Lady wore a simple black sleeveless Alaia gown, with a Peter Sorenon corset, accessorizing with multiple strands of necklaces, and simple diamond studs.
Her wore her hair pulled back, her poise was authoritative, yet she's so incredibly charming.
I curse the stand being in front of her, because I think the most interesting part of the dress is the corset around her waist, which gives her dress very a definitive shape. »
Mrs. T it seems you can update you known now who is the designer. It's fantastic that it's not only a gown but a gown with one corset from another designer...genius ! (sorry for my english...)
Her speech has inspired me to continue work in public service and to hopefully help change someone's live as she's changing the world. She looks absolutely STUNNING! Love my First Lady!
In a close-up picture, I can see the corset now that I'm looking for it. But the dress still looks black. I have to laugh -- Mrs. O will find way to wear a "belt" no matter what!
Joyce, I *think* her eyebrows do have a naturally high arch. I know there was a photo I saw floating around during campaign season of an elementary-school or high school aged Michelle -- maybe if you Google you can find it? -- and even then, her eyebrows were very distinctive. (You could very much see how Sasha looks like her.)
I think that left to their own devices her eyebrows would be thicker, which is what you may be seeing of her natural browline. But I do believe they'd still arch.
Still on a high after seeing these pictures our gorgeous, smart, strong First Lady!!!!
Interesting info that the dress is really navy and that she added the corset. She's always going to be out-of-the-box. I want her to keep doing her.
And the coverage is justm swoonworthy on the news this morning. From the Today Show to CNN, everyone is beaming because of our First Lady!
the dress didn't look navy to me either, but i gave the reporter the benefit of the doubt, since things look different online
Immaculate. Beautiful. Stunning. Elegant. Sophisticated.
Wow.
And I could stop typing RIGHT there but honestly..... WOW!
Mrs O is flawless! Amazing dress, hair, make-up, posture, demeanour, everything! And what a beautiful speech too. And how come she's nice enough to even speak to Elizabeth Hasselwhateverhernameis?
Wow. I need to see more photo's of this. And a Youtube link to the speech.
I'll also append this link to another speech, if no-one minds. It chimes in with Mrs O's speech about imaginative solutions, and is one I was sent by a friend today. Very entertaining and thought provoking, it's a look at how education needs to encourage children to be imaginative, in order to react for the future's challenges. I enjoyed it, I hope you do to:
http COLON //www DOT youtube DOT com/watch?v=iG9CE55wbtY
STUNNING silhouette on her. Gasp-worthy, even. I saw this and the first thing out of my mouth was "Damn." She looked so model-esque much like she did on the Saturday date night pictures--her face looked very fresh and lust-is-new but fierce. IMHO, this dress, the Theallet dress shirt, and the purple dress she wore in Minneapolis are the best, ever.
Fabulous... just FABULOUS!!
What a pleasure it is to view the first lady as she really is smart,dynamic and gracious I hope Fox news and the other right wing organisaton,will stop giving her a hard time.
It is always good to hear what the rest of you ladies have to say you really make my day-thank-you
I just watched the view and it was embarrassing to listen to Elisabeth Hasselbeck. She said "it was a nice opportunity for her to find closure after the campaign" My theory is she didn't have to attack Michelle at all because she was not the one running for president. She said back then ""Cindy came into our hair and makeup room, fresh as can be, and unlike another wife of a political candidate who shall remain nameless, she didn't come with a list of topics that we weren't allowed to touch. Nope, that's because she has nothing to hide." These right wing nuts just don't know when to take the high road. Michelle Obama is classier than that, Comparing her to Cindy MCCain the difference is obvious...
Susan Marr - With all due respect....the visitors to this site are not "all ladies." I am man who is a proud admirer and a regular visitor of mrs-o.org.
Oh, heavens. Elizabeth H. is an odd one. You know, as an adult, I actually find it possible to like and respect both Cindy McCain and Michelle Obama. I don't have to play one against the other.
Anyway, I'm glad MO allowed EH to find closure. I'm sure helping EH sleep better at night was her goal.
The dress is beautiful, the hair is beautiful, the make up is beautiful, therefore Mrs. O is beautiful inside and out. I watched the view today and Elisabeth talked about how her and Mrs. O had tension during the election. She said that after we WON (YAY) Mrs. O called her on the phone and they had a personal conversation and seeing her last night face to face was great and it gave her closure. This is a testament to what a great and gracious woman our first lady is cuz after Elisabeth was grinning in her face on the view and then stabbed her in the back at one of those republican rallies, I don't know that I could have been the mature woman to call her and try to settle our differences. So, I just want to give a shout out to Mrs. O for overlooking people's pettiness.
P.S.: I still don't like Elisabeth Hassleback eventhough Mrs. O can forgive her.
Something about that story doesn't seem quite right. I'm sure you are recounting what EH said correctly, but really, one of Mrs. O's first calls after the election was to Elizabeth Hasselback? Like EH is that important, and it matters to Mrs. O whether they had "tension?" I wonder.
This is video of her entire speech everyone (you hear some people in the background (annoying)...but this was the best I could find). I needed a pick me up from Michelle today.
http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/good_day_ny/info_and_links/090506_web_extra_michelle_obama_jimmy_fallon
@mimi and Nyon, I missed the View but Elizabeth needs to go somewhere, The only reason there was tension between the two of them was Elizabeths doing. For Michelle to be so gracious to here when she came on the show last June and then Elizabeth to turn around at a Cindy McCain event and say that Cindy was " Cindy came into are hair and makeup room as fresh as can be, and unlike another wife of a political canadaite ....she didn't have a list of topics we couldn't touch, thats because she has nothing to hide.."
Michelle's better than me because Elizabet is fake and two-faced as they come
P.S. Mrs. O looked stunning, this replaces the other black Azzedine Alaia she wore that evening in Germany
It probably wasn't one of her first calls, and maybe I am wrong and MO didn't call EH, maybe EH called her, but I know she said they talked on the phone. And you know I don't know that If I were EH I would have the nerve to call the first lady after an incident like that. You know that MO is considerate like that, so I can see her calling EH and being the bigger person. who knows really?
This is video of her entire Time speech everyone (you hear some people in the background (annoying)…but this was the best I could find). I needed a pick me up from Michelle today. You can also see Michelle walking to the stage.
www(dot)myfoxny(dot)com/dpp/good_day_ny/info_and_links/090506_web_extra_michelle_obama_jimmy_fallon
P.S. I do not like Elizabeth Hasselbeck...she is a Fox tool and is two-faced. She'll never be brave enough to say anything worthwhile to Mrs. O's face. I have Republican friends, but Elizabeth makes me sick and I hate stupid women who try to pit one woman against another---low class.
It is official. The secret service is coming after me because I am sooo in love with FLOTUS! Could it get any better than this????
Here as a little gem of FLOTUS taking the podium to deliver her speech. http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/98522/michelle-obama-honored-at-time-warner-center/Default.aspx
View of dress featuring corset.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/05/michelle-obama-at-time-10_n_197449.html
Stay classy, Elizabeth. A real classy woman wouldn't have even discussed the fact that she and Mrs. O had a private phone call after the election.
I don't think anyone even knew there was any supposed tension between she and Mrs. O...I certainly don't care, and I bet most agree. But now Elizabeth has closure, so she can hopefully turn her attention onto aiding her buddy Sarah with damage control over Briston and Levi's made-for-tv abstinance debate.
I NEED a picture without that blasted podium in the way!!!
OMGoodness she looks fierce (Tyra Banks finger wave)!!!! LOL I love it! I thought it was one dress but the corset over the dress was pure genius!!!
and the Seseme Street photo was cute. Cannot wait to hear when it is goign to air. Looks like I will be tivoing SS now! LOL
@ Nyon: I'm definitely not doubting you, I'm just wondering if that sequence of events went down quite the way EH suggests. But who knows?
Corset photo is #9 on the Huffington post link above.
I dont' know how it happened but I kind of like that Elizabeth H - has explained the tension she had with Michelle Obama.
It really reflects the type of person she is and shows the gracious side of MO.
EH is so republican that she cannot even see straight. It is too bad there is only a 7 second delay on their live show, otherwise I'm sure some of those twisted statements she makes would be erased.
Back to Lady O, .........she is working that look. I don't know if I've seen her look better.
I think this is the first hairpiece I have seen her wear and it looks great. Bravo...Lady O.
There was a spoof of "The View" ladies on SNL the other night. All this EH talk made me think of it. It actually captured the essence of EH - she seems perpetually upset over a host of issues that very quickly make her flustered.
Michelle is gracious. I am not sure we will ever get the whole story of the so-called closure.
I'm basking in the wonderfulness of our First Lady and in the great comments on this post. I love it when the comments discuss fashion, but move beyond it to appreciation of Michelle's spirit, character, charm, grace, humor, graciousness, brilliance, courage, joy, etc. etc. that always shine through and beyond what she wears.
Im lovin the corset!
I watched The View today too..and I thought EH said she called Mrs. O....maybe I didnt hear right, but I thought thats what I heard. She really got on my nerves..she actually think her and Mrs O. are friends now..NOT..lol. She had no right saying those things in the first place!
The real story between MO and EH is EH went to Cindy McCain's lunchon during the election and said that when MO came to the View she had something to hide and Cindy did not. I think from then on Barbara had a "talk" with her about respecting guests. I think MO camp was not happy about that and let Barbara know.
The British press never miss an opportunity, suggesting that the FL looked as if she has been seeking style tips from Rhianna, with her "pixie crop with a sweeping fringe" hairdo..... "Michelle an elle elle elle of a lot like Rihanna." (London Lite headline). Very positive coverage.
Thanks boazwife for the H. Post reminder. They've added more great photos of the corset.
The photos of the dress without the mic stand is on H. Post, and man oh man the corset and necklace really make this look. Kind of wish we could all see the front of that infamous red dress worn to the Alfalfa dinner earlier this year. Since there aren't photos of the front of that red dress that have been released, I think Michelle will recycle it....much to my delight of course. She wears the corset look well.
I know there were disagreements about the recent Essence cover with Michelle's mom, but I really liked the corset belt she wore over the bright cardigans mainly because it stayed in place and didn't ride up.
Christina your 11.43 post made me laugh out loud. Thank you.
I would imagine that any phone call from EH would have been very much in the "oops, well, you won so I'd better suck up in case we meet again so I look good" *BIG smile to camera 2*. Kind of thing.
(She must spend a long time in make-up for The View, having both faces done.)
Was that really a hair piece as stated by "river rush"? I can't tell from the pics, but I hope not. Michelle's hair is gorgeous, she needs nothing added.
WOW!!!!! So Beautiful!!! That is how u wear an evening gown!!! She Betta Work!!! Fierce!!! Stunning!!!! Such an inspiration no wonder Oprah had tears in her eyes!!! I get a little teary too!!! This is just such a wonderful time for Black women right now! Its not perfect but she makes it a lot better! You go Michelle!!!
Goodness - a hair piece - I just looked and it's possible because in the photo of the back of her head, the hair is straight across whereas if it was her own hair - which is shoulder length at least - it should be in a small low bun or somehow pinned close to her scalp?
If it's true, it's kind of far out!
Anika,
Its her twisted in the back. It is not a hair piece folks. Good Lord !!!
Blimey ! As we say in London. Mrs O looks fantastic. That is what you call The Power of a Woman.
My mother has worn her hair often in this style and has the same length of hair as Michelle.
Wow - she looks fantastic, the US is so lucky to have FL like her, she truly is an inspiration & a role model to all women not just girls
A I the only one curious to see the shoes?
*Am I the only one curious to see the shoes she wore?
It is not a discgrace to wear a hair piece. Nowadays many women, both black and white use hairpieces to achieve length and volume. I am not saying Mrs. O had one, but if she did, that is not a bad thing! Why are some posters acting like it is such a horrible thing to wear one? If you paid for it, it's yours, plain and simple. And as far as Elisabeth Hasslebeck admiring Mrs. O, that is not so farfetched, despite her politics; so no need to bash her. If Hillary Clinton can be President Obama's Secretary of State and trusted advisor after the bitter primaries, why cannot EH and Mrs. O get past their political differences and be friends as well?
OK, what is a hairpiece? A wig or a weave?
Anyway, here is what Desiree wore, if anyone is interested.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/06/time-100-style-see-what-d_n_197976.html
Holy mother in heaven! I just gasped in the office and now my co-workers know how I spend my coffee breaks. Yeowza. Perfection.
I wanna see the shoes too, Mrs. A. I bet you they were heels though! Maybe the black pumps she wore to see the queen?