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)
LOL @ A Canadian. I know the feeling! I've told on myself a few times while visiting this website at work...especially during the Europe trip.
I was awestruck by this photo. FLOTUS looks so slim and fabulous. The color and cut are perfect. The hair and makeup are magnificent. I love corsets and I'm glad to see her wear one. In shoes, FLOTUS is 6 feet of pure elegance.
Yes! After several horrid outfits in a row, Mrs. Obama comes out with a winner. Love the dress. Nice hair and makeup too.
Like someone above said, I'd have like some more color with the jewelry, but still a very nice look.
That is not a hairpiece!!!! Her hair has been freshly done that is why it is shiny. Look here http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/05/michelle-obamas-sesame-st_n_197191.html I am white and I know this because I have a half black daughter with kinky hair, that is how it is!
Looking at the outfit again, it is very subtle. I think the dress definitely is black, but the corset is navy blue. And the beads look to be three colors: navy blue, slate green, and black (mixed with either the slate green or grey?).
Mara,
I respectfully disagree with your statments "After several horrid outfits in a row" are you serious? Just because you didn't like it does not mean thy were horrid. I bet you're part of the "she needs a stylist corus".
I ma speechless. Every post is so exciting and heart-felt. Even the ones about EH which I feel there are some things you do not comment on. I do not watch the View because she is so out of touch with mainstream American just like the Republican Party. MO is wearing that black something fierce, but if that is navy blue....(with her skin) well, just let me say that I have scehduled a tour of Washington, D.C. for the week of July 4th. I just have to be there near OUR house "At such a time as this". Up until now, I have never been inspired to visit and tour the sites. I live in NYC and now, I want to visit and sightsee and most important, get involed in volunteering, As you can gather, I am hooked on this family, not obessed, yet. But very teary-eyed. Coming to this site lifts my spirits. Thank You Mrs. T.
Oh, I forgot: Happy Mother's Day everyone. Michelle has rasied the bar as wife, mother and friend. And just one more, thing: Whether you like all or just one of her outfits, she is smart, intelligent and definitely loved and knows how to love back. Our President must be so proud of her.
Mrs. A and Lilly: You can see a little of her shoes if you look closely at the videos that were provided above when she walks onto the stage. They are closed toe and they look a little pointy. From what I could see they look good, but i could not see much detail.
@ Ids - well said...both times!
Ditto on the Happy Mother's Day wishes to all of the moms on this site! And of course to Mrs. O and the First Grandmom!
Thanks Nyon! I just love that she wore heels! I know I keep saying it, but she looks so good and fierce in those when she does. You can tell the fifference when she embraces her amazing model-like stature. The only accessory she was missing last night was President O looking dashing in a tux (Smile)!
Please ignore Mara..
What an absolutely miserable person (s)he is!
There's much to be said for a person who obsessively follows one they clearly do not like...
Mrs O clearly does not do it for Mara, yet Mara expends an innordinate amount of time and energy pontificating about the first lady;
Not only insane, but a seriously twisted compulsion...
IVA: Lovely and mutually shared sentiments as usual...
this Mara person needs to gtfo....sorry but i hate ppl like this.
This thread has been so peaceful; let's not attack each other. I think we're all agreed that this outfit is a winner.
Glancing through some of the other pix, I wonder if it was some kind of "code" to wear only black or extremely dark colors. Every woman there was, as far as I could tell.
Posh Tater....love that last comment about the two faces (i'm still laughing).
I've looked at some of the other pictures posted on different sites and I still think that on the day she wore this fabulous black dress, she also put on a fabulous hair piece, but I'm not bitter ....I adore it.
If I'm wrong I will fess up tomorrow - take a second look.
Watched her speech. She is not as comfortable with the teleprompter like her husband, but she is a better off the cuff speaker than he is. Kudos, Michelle.
I agree with you on both counts Christina. Just because we do not like someone's opinion does not mean we should attack them. If a comment rubs yiu the wrong way, just ignore it. May I point out IVA as a model of how to agree to disagree peacefully? She has this thing down pat; I, on the other hand, am still learning (smile)!
@ Christina: About the Black, I posted about that earlier, but that's New York for you. I used to live there and after 6 for them means Black. I also noted that although Mrs. O did rock her black, it almost made me wish that she had done color because so many people wore black.
I heard on a clip today on the abc(dot)com site, Whoopi Goldberg said that the event was "black tie" and her understanding, as well as others is that you're supposed to wear black when they say that. I have no idea but only a few people didn't wear black or something dark colored.
"Whoopi Goldberg said that the event was “black tie” and her understanding, as well as others is that you’re supposed to wear black when they say that."
Nonsense. "Black tie" means tuxedoes for men and formal wear (long dresses or dressy cocktail) for women. It does NOT mean "everybody wear black".
Someone please send Ms. Goldberg copies of Miss Manners' books!
Actually, Janelle, Black Tie means Dressy "formal or semi-formal) gowns or outfits for women, not necessarily Black, but as I mentioned above, New Yorkers tend to wear Black after 6.
I think black tie means tuxedos for men and suitably formal dresses for women. It doesn't mean the women have to wear black.
Hm. I, too, have never heard that black tie literally means "wear black clothing." Though the little black dress is always in style!
Lilly, I'm sorry to have repeated your earlier comment! But you're right, if Mrs. O had gone out there in red (for example), it would have been eye-popping in that sea of black.
Waaay back in this thread, someone (Janelle?) asked if we liked this dress or the Peter Soronen ink-blue dress better. I wish I could say -- I have not yet seen one full-length picture of this dress that is not obscured by that lectern! I hope we'll find out later that Callie Shell from Time was there.
(Callie Shell being a photographer for Time who has taken many nice pictures of the Obamas.)
It's OK Christina, that you repeated my comment. Great minds think alike (Smile)! Which ink-Blue dress are u referring t? I don;t believe I'v seen a picture. Also, when u get a link to the Callie Shell pics, please post here so we can see. Thanks
Oh my god!!!. I had to wait all day to see the pics and I tell you I was not disappointed. Stunning as usual our first lady is. Christina, I agree with you.....Michelle calling Elizabeth Hasselbeck? Ha!!. I thought it was HI-larious when I saw the pics of her stretching herself under the bars at the dinner to shake Michelle's hand. Funny how things have a way of coming full circle.
Thanks for the comments on what black tie means, because I've always thought it just meant very dressy/formal. Most at the "View" table tended to agree with Whoopi, which is odd b/c these are all folks that live in New York. Especially Whoopi and Barbara Walters. I know Whoopi is not a dress-up person but you would think she gets a lot of invitations. I like the New York after six look b/c I lovvvvvvve black. Makes me drop 5 pounds easy! LOL
...also, I watched today's clip where Elizabeth H. said she and Michelle talked. She didn't say who called whom....interesting. (The clip can be viewed on the abc site) I heard during the campaign that Elizabeth broke a professionalism rule about what is or not discussed with producers before a guest comes on the show. She aired that in public (whether true or not) and got a tongue lashing from Barbara. I
In the end, real class won out and Michelle is the First Lady, so if it weren't for this event being talked about, I never watch the show anyway. Let those crazy, negative wing nuts dig their own graves--they're becoming extinct anyway.
@Lilly:
Oh, shoot. You'd think I'd remember all these dresses, but I forget the occasion. I think it was the ball to honor the governors? Mrs. O wore a long, heavily beaded Peter Soronen gown with a big pile of necklaces (sorry I can't describe it better, it's been a long day and I've run out of adjectives!) That gown looked gray to me, but wasn't it really a deep inky blue? I do remember that the appearance turned out not to be the actual color.
I don't know if there really are Callie Shell pix of last night, but it would be nice if there are.
On the ABCnews The View clip Barbara Walters said that Michelle's dress was 'navy blue'.
I like this one better. It is more classic, simpler and more elegant. She looked great in the sparkly one too but I am not a fan of sparkly. Why do people keep saying her dress was navy Blue? If it was, it must have been a deep Blue because it photographs Black.
Large closeup of the photo of Michelle during the PSA for Sesame Street.
http://michelleostyle.blogspot.com/2009/05/first-lady-michelle-obama-makes-guest.html
Christina is this the dress you are talking about? Move to #2!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/29/michelle-obamas-first-100_n_191987.html
It sure does. But the New York papers have it as navy blue, and I'm guessing they probably got their info from publicists for the designers. Or maybe they were on the scene and could just see that it's navy blue where we can't. But it absolutely photographs as black.
In my previous comment I said that a close look on my monitor indicated that the dress was black, the corset was navy blue, and the beads were navy blue, slate green, and possibly black. I think black and navy are an extremely subtle combo.
And if the two different parts of the garment were different colors, that might account for some of the confusion in the reporting.
by the way, this is the link i was talking about, showing the ivory jacket that Jason Wu made with the inauguration gown (and being honest, I really don't like the jacket)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/30608066#30597813
there are some other great pictures there too!!!
:-)
I am really surprised that we have not yet heard who designed Michelle's yellow Cinco de Mayo dress.
Leah D., what funny timing! I literally just updated that post with the designer - Moschino.
This designer so reflects Mrs. O's style. I could see her in a couple more styles in the collection such as the 4th "Crepe de chine" black dress in the second row with the detail at the neckline.
P.S. Mrs. T, I mentioned this in a previous post, but the Copyright year at thhe bottom of the page still says 2008. I don't know if it matters or not, but you might want to update it to 2009. Thanks
Simply stunning is right. Such simple lines but such a knockout gorgeous look.
I love to check out this site daily - love the photos, all the background info from Mrs. T. and all the comments, especially those that also note all of Michelle Obama's inner beauty as well as the comments on her clothing. This is getting nearly addicting! I had resisted checking the site at work but did today at lunch to see if any pics from the TIME event then could hardly get back to work!
Thanks Mrs. T for a great site. Echoing Happy Mother's Day to everyone!
Elizabeth Hasselback is on Larry King tonight and she is discussing her relationship with FL... she is so naive!
and full of it!
Come on guys! Cut the girl a break (whether you think she deserves it or not)! If Mrs. O, who is the injured party, is willing to put their differences behind them, then we should follow her lead!
She's just trying to be relevant. As I wrote earlier, attach the word "Obama"to anything or anyone, and you will get coverage. She's just being smart...promoting herself. Afterall, she's a celebrity, and you can't expect much more.
In reference to black clothes in NYC -
When I was a teenager I used to visit an aunt who lived on the Upper East Side in Yorkville. She would take me to Kleins on the Square, Alexander's and then to the Village for coffee. While sipping our coffee, I can remember asking her why everyone in the coffee shop wore black; and why, for that matter, did everyone in the Village wear black?
She replied, "Honey, that's how you can tell you are below 14th Street."
Speaking of photographers, I hope that Timothy Greenfield-Saunders and Michelle were discussing an upcoming partnership (Huff Post photo). His photography is fabulous and he could bring out a whole other facet of Michelle in photos.
Welcome back, Posh Tater!
And I just want to add that my distaste for Elizabeth H came long before her dustup with Mrs. O. She's just never been my cup 'o tea!
I'm with you Iva... my distaste for Elizabeth goes way back to the days when Star Jones was on The View (way back)! Lilly, I've tried hard to give her a chance but we disagree on so many levels and subjects! I can always agree to disagree with people, but with her whining and blinders, it makes it that much harder!
OMG drop dead gorgeous, Azzedine you done it again.
I feel your pain, Iva and Shana, I truly do (LOL). During the elections I absolutely loathed EH as well, but you know what, I figure it's all about politics and celebrity, so it's water under the bridge for me now. Plus, if Mrs. O is as charming and approachable in person as they say she is, then no wonder she won over Elizabeth.
On another note, I do believe Mrs. O's dress might indeed have been a deep navy blue, which makes it all the more superb. If you watch the clip of the event on MSNBC carefully, you can definitely see blue undertones.
EH was on Survivor -many moons ago. She knew how to play the game then, as she does now. As you say, it's all part of celebrity. And she is trying to sell a book. As someone infered earlier in the stream - all publicity helps her cause.