Happy Birthday Mrs. O

On her 48th birthday, the First Lady attended a White House event to celebrate the 2011 World Series champions, the St. Louis Cardinals.

On the fashion front: A L'Wren Scott lace cardigan, the famed Alaia belt and an Erickson Beamon pin from the 2008 Democratic National Convention. 

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Dynamic Duo

Photo by Carolyn Kaster / AP Images

The President and First Lady visited Fort Bragg yesterday, as President Obama gave a speech to mark the end of the Iraq war. To introduce her husband, Mrs. Obama also gave brief remarks. Read the full transcript, posted by Time, here.

Style wise, Mrs. O wore a washed rose and tweed dress by Rachel Roy, seen previously here, paired with a black cardigan and Mary Jane pumps. A wool and leather jacket by Alaia, a black handbag and gloves completed the look.

Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

Photo by Carolyn Kaster / AP Images

The First Family appeared at the dedication cermeony of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C. today. On the fashion front, Mrs. O wore a cranberry-hued dress by Alaia. A cardigan and pin at the waist completed the look. We've seen this dress once before, in September 2010, here.

Update: Mrs. O wears an Alexis Bittar Resort bowtie pin.

To read more about the dedication ceremony:

"President Obama Dedicates MLK Memorial" [Time/AP]

A Holiday Classic

Official White House photo by Lawrence Jackson

We have another holiday classic from Mrs. O in time for Christmas Eve. Though just surfacing now, this look is attributed to a White House holiday function held on December 7. Mrs. O wears a metallic black sleeveless frock from Alaia, first seen in Spring 2009 for The American Ballet Opening Night Spring Gala, here. A diamond flower pin at the collar updates the look. It is a fabulous holiday dress, very worthy of a repeat. Gorgeous then and now!

Must Read Mrs. O

Hope everyone is having a delightful weekend, and staying warm and cozy. For a bit of weekend reading, I thought you might enjoy this New York Times profile on a Mrs. O favorite, designer Azzedine Alaia. In fact, the profile begins with an account of the revered fashion critic, Cathy Horyn, tracking down Mr. Alaia to confirm that the first lady was wearing a dress of his design for the NATO dinner in April 2009. While Ms. Horyn is known for her sharp tongue, this piece is a bonafide kiss on both cheeks to Mr. Alaia. Enjoy! 

A reporter was calling from New York. That evening, April 3, 2009, at a dinner in Baden-Baden, Germany, for NATO leaders and their spouses, Michelle Obama had worn a form-fitting black dress opening to a tiered skirt. Pictures of it were on the Internet. The first lady obviously loved clothes, and the media quickly got the idea that she was not going to be stuck on one or two designers and almost as quickly developed a rationale for her ever-changing wardrobe. The 50-odd labels she wore in the first year reflected a “democratic” approach.

You couldn’t blame the wire services for not knowing every designer’s signature style. So the pictures from Baden-Baden were sent without ID.

But one thing alone identified the dress as an Alaïa; well, two things. Even without the cold gleam of the first lady’s arms, it provoked the idea that a woman tends to look her most beautiful in clothes that make her look strong, not glamorous or sexy or powerful. 

Azzedine Alaia: The Master of the Female Form: [NYT Fashion & Style]