American Royalty
Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 3:52 PM 
Photo by Chris Jackson / Getty Images
Mrs. O has arrived at this evening's state banquet at Buckingham Palace wearing a divine ivory gown and gloves. In an instant, this will become one of the First Lady's most iconic looks. The ivory hue conjures up fresh memories of the royal wedding. The long gloves dial up the drama further. The fit is perfection.
Per the Telegraph's @HilaryAlexander on Twitter: "I think Michelle Obama's gorgeous white gown at Buckingham Palace, London, tonight might be Tom Ford." Peter Hunt, Royal correspondent for the BBC, is also reporting that the gown is Tom Ford. Wow!
With the designer confirmed, Hilary Alexander has gone on to note that the gown is a "ingenious choice" as Tom Ford is an American designer with design headquarters in London.
Reader Therese has shared this link, which shows Jacqueline Kennedy at Buckingham Palace in 1961. Perhaps Mrs. Kennedy's ensemble was a source of inspiration?
"Obama and Queen Elizabeth Trade Toasts" [Chicago Sun-Times]
Tom Ford
Reader Comments (145)
That. Is. OUTRAGEOUSLY gorgeous. And such a nice touch to wear the gloves because the Queen loves it when people do and so few *will*....
Divine.
Shame that the conductor started the band playing over the President's speech. I suspect he's going to go home with boxed ears.
I can't breathe....seriously. OMG! This is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen in my entire life! I will always remember watching her walk out and gasping and screaming and laughing! this is our Jackie Kennedy moment, she is our Jackie Kennedy! This woman makes me SO happy!
American Royalty, I'll take it. Aww, this is so breath taking. I almost wish this was her inaugural dress (not to say the Wu creation wasn't beautiful). Everything is just right, hair, make-up, dress, clutch, jewelry! Everything.
Very, very nice. Will be posting on my FB.
Absolutely breathtakingly beautiful – PRESIDENT AND FIRST LADY ( S O S not bad either.)
American Beauties.
The president should have followed the Queen's example - a few words, the National Anthem, then the toast. He segued into the toast without waiting for "God Save the Queen" and the orchestra had no choice but to play over him.
When I last looked at the video clip, Mrs. Obama still had the gloves on at the dinner table long after the toasts had begun. They should have been off. The gown is lovely. It would have been better without that bow.
I knew it ! I knew it ! I knew it! The commander in chic always does this - always. She gives us little tasters and then POW, gives us a straight home run and leaves everyone speechless. Absolutely sensational.
Before the naysayers make a song and dance about her gloves. I can tell you (as a Brit) that the Queen loves to see gloves on ladies at these state dinners. Don't quote me but I'm sure I read somewhere that it is required, but like I say don''t quote me !!
OMG!!! In my best Vera Wang voice "So Fa-Boo" as in, so fabulous. Mrs. O looks soooo regal! you go girl!
Sorry BeeGee but that's just not what happened. The band started to play when he said "Her Majesty" without waiting to see if he had anything else to say. It was extremely rude and that conductor will get a sound telling off and probably never work in the Palace again.
And as for the gloves, they come off when the food comes to the table. It is just divisive to say these things and try to paint the First Lady as wrong when she is not. The Queen was still wearing her gloves for the toast - was SHE wrong??!
@Jestina - you are so right about the gloves. It was a very sweet and respectful thing to do.
Her greatest formal look to date. Without question. Absolutely stunning!
Mrs. O was smart to keep the jewelry simple since she can't compete with the royals' unlimited rocks. These earrings are fabulous and just right for the gown. Similarly, this dress stands out for its simplicity against the elaborate, overly embellished gowns on the other ladies.
Do we know the mistake was the president's and not the orchestra's? It sounded to me like they jumped the gun.
So gorgeous.
GODDESS , Love, Love, Love !
Thanks for "setting-the-record-straight" Posh Tater.
My-Lady looks oh so very elegant! Is this another Jason Wu?
The President has a new tux and he is definitely "wearing it!"
PoshTater how do you know these things!? So in love with your commentary lol
OH, MY. What an extraordinary vision. It's just elegant enough, just understated enough, just gorgeous enough, just ethereal enough. Really, there are no words.
Have to reinforce Posh's statement re. the events at the dinner -- the President stood up and started his toast and was ALMOST finished with it when the music began; clearly this was a miscue but not on his part. Don't understand the need to be so negative about what is truly a lovely occasion, celebrating the sincere friendship and good will that the Obamas and the royals share. And, yes, PBO and Mrs. O look amazing!
Really nice dress. Don't love the updo though.
Really nice dress. Don't love the updo though.
Needs a bracelet to pop the gloves
The Queen read at least 3 pages of remarks, so the Presidents remarks were the length of hers. Anyway, I like this dress.
I love I love I love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just heard someone on BBC news say that the white gown is by Tom Ford.
The BBC live blog just said that the gown is a Tom Ford creation. Amazing.
Fabulous dress. And the gloves -- what a brilliant idea. Very elegant and so proper for Buckingham Palace. (BTW, the President is not wearing a "tux;" with white tie, men wear a tail coat, which shows up clearly in some of the other photos. White House state dinners used to be white tie, but Jimmy Carter changed that. Reagan went back to white tie, but I don't think any of his successors have followed that tradition; except Laura persuaded W to wear white tie for the Queen's visit.)
They are reporting that the dress is by Tom Ford.
I have to keep this simple. This is Michelle Obama, First Lady of the United States at her most beautiful.
She is just stunning!!!!
Calm down everyone, that is Bee gee's style. Let her be and let us instead enjoy this vision of beauty
MRS O, I have to say , this is the most stunning ever..............you are the most gorgeous first lady ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tom Ford. Didn't see that one coming!!
o'Coutoure, you are not alone. This is the look and hairstyle that I had envisoned for the inaguaral ball. I love this dress. I love this look. FLOTUS, you are OUTRAGEOUSLY gorgeous!!!!
@ Jestina, The feed cut right as they were sitting, so please tell us where you get this info. that Mrs. Obama kept her gloves on past the toast? I mean how could you possibly know that, when the ONLY
feed in the room was cut as they were sitting right after the toast?
@ BeeGee it was actually the Royal band the messed up. And I suspect they will be chastised for doing so. No one told them to cue up before the President finished and I personally think it worked out like a great ending to a good movie.
Beautiful gown, love the clutch (although it could have done without that bow).
On another note, this is why a staright skirted outfit is usually best for arrival ceremonies:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/barackobama/8533499/Michelle-Obama-fights-to-control-summer-dress-in-windy-London.html
Absolutely stunning!
Love the dress and gloves and also think the hair and make up are stunning.
Would have preferred the dress without the bow, but what a great photo for the history books.
The President looks fantastic !!
Can someone sense a sartorial war between both side of the Atlantic? Kate laid out Britain's best designer for her wedding. Mrs O laid out America's best in return. Both are white, amazing gown at equally high profile event.
omgeeeeeee! i can't. the dress is just.......incredible
Rory captures my sentiments exactly! Breathtakingly beautiful. You go FLOTUS!!!!
MRS O, I have to say , this is the most stunning ever..............you are the most gorgeous first lady ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
simple, stunning elegance....
@ o’Coutoure - You are spot on! She is an American Princess.
@ Rory - I too gasped and thought of Jackie O.
@ Kels and Josée from Martinique - I have to agree with you.
@ Jestina in England - Have you had a chance to see them in person?
Bravo Tom Ford! She looks magnificent!
Peace.
What a sublime yet brilliant sartorial response by Mrs. O to Kate M. overhyped wedding gown. Kate sent out Britain's best designer for her white, long, amazing gown. In return, Mrs. O sent out America's best designer for her white, long, amazing gown. Love it!
Yummy, yummy, yummy......I got love in my tummy!!!!! Several have evoked the name of Jackie O, but to me, this is more Audrey Hepburn, and My Fair Lady, or in this case, My First Lady!!!!
@dasie I'm with you enjoying this vision of beauty and her hair is beyond perfection. I always wondered if she would wear it like that.
Simply one of her BEST LOOKS EVER!!!!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the gloves! FLOTUS hit it out of the ball park!
Would SO love to see the back of this dress!
STUNNING!!!! Perhaps her most beautiful look yet!!!
Do your thang, Mrs. First Lady!!!
Our first lady truly "brought it" for the State Dinner. Just beautiful...
Faboo. Simply faboo.
Wowzers! Mrs. Obama is oozing pure class and beauty in this gown. Wow, wow, wow!