Stately Glamour (UPDATED: Mrs. Obama's Jewels)

(Photo: Getty Images)

Michelle Obama stole the show at last night's White House State Dinner, in a custom-made gown designed by Indian-born designer, Naeem Khan.

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, awaiting the arrival India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur

(Photo: Reuters)

The champagne-hued gown was a strapless silhouette, made of silk chiffon fabric with sterling silver piets that were sewn on in an exquisite floral pattern, no doubt an ode to the elaborate saris of India. Mr. Khan said that the fabric was entirely handmade in India, and took three weeks and 40 people to make. Mrs. Obama completed her ensemble with traditional Indian bracelets known as "churis", a matching wrap and chandelier earrings made of rubies (another subtle nod to India) and diamonds. She looked absolutely regal and breathtaking!

U.S. President Barack Obama  and first lady Michelle Obama  pose with India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur before a state dinner on the North Portico of the White House
(Reuters)

Mr. Khan appeared on CNN's Larry King Live last night and said that his idea for the gown was "India, chic, simple, but still very glamorous". He succeeded and is well on his way to becoming a household name.

Hal Rubenstein, fashion director for InStyle Magazine had this to say about Mrs. Obama: "She looks like she's worth her weight in solid gold. What I love about her is that it's a pleasure to watch a woman of size and stature not apologize for her height and know how to stand tall."

And stand tall she did...In Couture!

(Photo: Getty Images)

UPDATE: Women's Wear Daily reports that Mrs. Obama's gorgeous earrings were designed by Bochic, and made of rose-cut amber and tourmaline. Gorgeous!

(Photo: Women's Wear Daily)

Sparkling Preview

(Photo: Getty Images)

This afternoon, First Lady Michelle Obama spoke at a preview for tonight's State Dinner, in the State Dining Room at the White House. Mrs. Obama was joined by White House Curator, William Allman and Protocol Officer for the Visits Division of the U.S. State Dept., Tanya Turner to speak about the history and protocol of White House State Dinners. Also in attendance were young women from the White House Leadership and Mentoring Program. Afterwards

(Photo: Getty Images)

For this afternoon's event, Mrs. Obama remixed the J. Crew cardigan she wore on her April trip to London, paring it with an ivory pencil skirt designed by Rachel Roy, according to the good folks at Mrs.O, and a silver belt, one of FLOTUS' favorite accessories. Dazzling!

Mrs. Obama speaks with young women from the White House Leadership and Mentoring Program

(Photo: Reuters)

Official Details on The Obamas' First White House State Dinner!

Courtesy of Lynn Sweet, Reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times:

Sample Table Setting For The Obama's First White House State Dinner

(Photo: Lynn Sweet/Chicago Sun-Times)

Guests will be at tables of ten.
Linens: Apple green
Flowers: Deep purple
hydrangea, garden roses and sweet peas in a palette of deep plum purple and fuchsia

Services and Place Settings
From the White House historic collections
Eisenhower Porcelain, 1955
Clinton China, 2000
Bush China, 2008-2009

Decor: A tent--more like a pavillion-- is on the South Lawn. The theme is a "garden theme," dedicated "to green and sustainable elements."

Place card (top photo) and Dessert Plate
(Photo: Lynn Sweet/Chicago Sun-Times)

Potato and Eggplant Salad
White House Argula with onion seed vinaigrette
2008 sauvignon blanc, Modus Oprendi, Napa Valley, California

Red lentil soup with fresh cheese
2008 Riesling Brooks "Ara" Wilamette Valley, Oregon

Roasted Potato Dumplings with tomato dumplings
chick peas and okra
or
green curry prawns
carmelized salsify with smoked collard greens and coconut aged basmati
2007 granache, Beckman Vineyars, Santa Ynez, California

Pumpkin Pie tart
pear tatin
whipped cream and caramel sauce
Sparkling Chardonay, Thibaut Janisson Brut, Monticello, Virginia


Petits Fours and Coffee
Cashew Brittle
Pecan Pralines
Passion Fruit and Vanilla Gelees
Chocolate dipped fruit

Guest Chef: Marcus Samuelsson

Entertainment for tonight's soiree will include Academy Award winner, Jennifer Hudson, award winning composer, Marvin Hamlisch, and Indian film composer, A.R. Rahman.

Michelle Obama Radiates at the Arrival Ceremony for the Prime Minister of India

(Photo: Reuters)

First Lady Michelle Obama looked absolutely radiant in an Indian-inspired ensemble at the arrival ceremony for the Prime Minister of India and his wife, First Lady Gurshuran Kaur, standing next to Mrs. Obama in the photo above. Mrs. Obama's outfit is reminiscent of the Isabel Toledo ensemble she wore for the Inauguration Ceremony on that beautiful day in January.

The ceremony was held in the East Room of the White House, and kicks off several events that will lead up to the Obama's first official White House State Dinner. I cannot wait to see what Mrs. Obama will wear tonight!

UPDATE I: According to Lynn Sweet at the Chicago Sun-Times, Mrs. Obama's outfit was designed by Isaac Mizrahi:

Shortly after, FLOTUS entered with Kaur, who wore a green sari. FLOTUS wore an orange embroidered Isaac Mizrahi ensemble, a coat worn over a dress, with a sash tied in a bow around her waist. The pattern was fall festive, leaves. Her hair was swept back and she paired the outfit with drop earrings and copper pumps.

UPDATE II: Here's a photo of Mrs. Obama sans jacket

First Lady Michelle Obama meets with Mrs. Gursharan Kaur in the Yellow Oval Room of the White House, Nov. 24, 2009.
(Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton)

Vintage Photo of the Week

The Ronettes

(l-r: Veronica Bennett, Estelle Bennett, and Nedra Talley)

(Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

With their tight skirts, skyscraper high beehives and thick, black kohl eyeliner reminiscent of Egyptian queens, The Ronettes claimed the title of the first "Bad Girls of Rock & Roll" in the 60s. While other girl groups of that era came across as singing about their crushes to their friends, The Ronettes sung directly to them in such hits as the infamous "Be My Baby" and "Baby, I Love You", driving the fellas wild!

To learn more about The Ronettes, check out The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum.

Enjoy!

Vintage Photo of the Week

Check out Miss Diana Ross getting her coordination on!

Enjoy!