WHO WORE WHAT?.....U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama in Carolina Herrera Custom Ball Gown at State Dinner

President Francois Hollande of France with U.S. First Lady
Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama, as he arrives at the North
Portico for a State Dinner at the White House in Washington, D.C.

Tonight was the State Dinner to honor French President Francois Hollande. The big news is the fact that he would come sans his partner of course--after the news of his "affair" (how French!). Well, that's old news, it's all about what the U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama wore. The first lady chose a dramatic Carolina Herrera ball gown with a
voluminous skirt and lace applique top. Of note: the blue and black gown is the
first dress with sleeves Obama has worn to a state dinner. 

 Ball Gown First Lady: U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama with U.S. President
Barack Obama--Statae Dinner at the White House in Washington, D.C. for
France's President Francois Hollande

The dress includes a black hand-sewn beaded embroidery applique
scallop-edged top over a liberty blue silk faille corset, according to a
statement from the Carolina Herrera P.R. people. A wide black velvet belt breaks up the top
from the silk faille inverted pleat skirt. There was some speculation that Mrs. Obama would chose an American designer of French descent (as a style nod to the French President). However, this did not happen--Carolina Herrera is a Venezuelan-born American fashion designer popular with the red carpet A-List as well as Ladies-Who-Lunch Upper East Side Manhattan Doyennes.

Gown First Lady Michelle Obama is more known for an off-the-shoulder more fitted/column style gown so this is a bit of a departure for her. I think she looks very elegant, dramatic and very on-trend (ball gowns are BACK!).

President Francois Hollande of France is greeted by U.S. First Lady
Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama as he arrives at the North
Portico for a State Dinner at the White House in Washington, D.C.

WHO WORE WHAT?.....The White House Correspondents' Association Dinner Red Carpet Part One: The Lace and Embellished Ladies

Fur Divas: Actress/Activist Sharon Stone in black gown with black fur cape and long black leather gloves. and U.S. Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour in gold fitted gown with white mink cape, White House Correspondents' Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 27, 2013 in Washington, DC

Last night was the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 27, 2013 in Washington, DC , or as insiders like to call it, the "nerd prom".  News Reporters/correspondents from all spectrum of media--from TV, to newspapers (what's that?) and bloggers--rubbed shoulders and ate and drank very close together (that room look too packed!) with Hollywood TV and film (and some reality star) A-listers.

 Conan O'Biren and First Lady Michelle Obama--White House Correspondents' Dinner 2013

I always wonder who pays for all this, who flies out all these Hollywood peeps, pays for the First Class flights and 5-star hotel suites and car services...Is it the White House? What part of the budget does that come under? The "Entertainment" budget? Oh it's just too much to think about so instead, I'd rather think about the FASHION, of course. Several "trends" emerged last night: such as Lots of Lace, Embellished Gowns and Floaty Chiffon, among others. Let's take a look:

The Lace Gals:

Model Irina Shayk: in Dolce & Gabbana--It's a bit "mumsy" for the super-gorgeous model and for my taste as well. Maybe she figured this wasn't the time to look like a Sexy Goddess (she's right) but she didn't have to look like "The Mistress" of a multimillionaire Italian Government Official in her "mourning gown".

Julia Louis Dreyfus in Dolce & Gabbana--HBO's "Veep" actress also wore Dolce & Gabbana to last night's dinner. But, in my eyes, this  purple lace strapless gown was much better than Irina's. Love the color and the fit is great. The green earrings are the right accessory, adding a different color story.

Arianna Huffington in Valentino Spring 2013 Resort--My Greek "sister" wore a black leather and lace gown from Valentino Resort 2013 Collection. Now, if this dress, on Arianna, looks familiar. You're right: she has worn in several times before...

First at the Vanity Fair Academy Awards Viewing Party in February (above, right photo) and most recently, last week at the "Time 100" event (above left photo). Gotta hand it to Huffington, she's a resourceful one and she loves to recycle. And I praise her because I have a very strong feeling that she actually (brace yourself!) BOUGHT this gown (unlike all the other ladies in this post).

Patricia Arquette--Wow, this is all things a MESS. Arquette wore a strapless, too-tight gown featuring sequined applique lace and tiered and sheared tulle ruffles. I feel for her "sistah's" --they are hurtin' up there. It is waaay too tight and I am scared that all the double-stick tape her "assistant" might have bought at JoAnn's ain't gonna help.

Actress Rebel Wilson--Rebel looks great in this embroidered and beaded lace dress with three-quarter sleeves. The v-neckline is just right (open up the neck ladies!), it cinches her in right under her bust (smallest part of the body!) and the fit-to-flare shape is flattering.  I am not a huge fan of this Navy Blue color on her (I would have preferred a stronger hue or something with a bit more sparkle). Also, I'm a stickler for hem lengths and this could have been a few inches longer.

Pageant Girl--"Nashville" actress Connie Britton also continued the Lace Trend at last night's White House Correspondents' Dinner by wore a bright blue lace "Mermaid Lite" gown from Temperley London. I just think she looks like a "Miss Tennessee" in this, or the Mother-of-the-Bride. Just because Lace is a hot trend for Spring doesn't mean you should be wearing it.I think this might have been a "miss". What do guys think?



The Embellished Ladies:

First Lady Michelle Obama in Monique Lhuillier--The First Lady wore this black gown with gathered bust and sequin embellished shoulder detail from designer Monique Lhuillier. I absolutely love the heavy sequin embellished detail at the shoulders, the slight cap sleeve/drop shoulder is so on-trend and the bust draping/twist knotting is delicate and well constructed.

"Scandal" Actress Kerry Washington in Wes Gordon Fall 2013--Washington, always the "Fashion Gal" went a little 80's style with this black and white dress from designer Wes Gordon. The halter gown features an asymmetrical "over dress" and is printed.

Amy Poehler in Basler--Basler--in case you didn't know--is a popular German brand. This beaded white gown is right on trend--from the covered shoulders, cap sleeves, slight peplum...it also fits Amy quite good.

Nicole Kidman wore a lavender silk chiffon Emilio Pucci gown with silver sequin and studded embellished  detail while attending the Bloomberg & Vanity Fair Cocktail Reception following the White House Correspondents' Dinner 2013 at the residence of the French Ambassador in Washington, D.C. I thought this gown was perfect for her--the color, silhouette and naturally she was on-trend with EVERYTHING!

Olivia Munn in Marchesa--"It Girl" of the moment, Olivia Munn wore this Marchesa silk chiffon gown with an  embellished bib and fitted waist. I like it. It's very 1970's Liz Taylor Meets Jackie O with a little bit of Grecian Goddess.

 

Claire Danes in Prada--I kike the gown but not the "Farah
Fawcett-Lite" hair. The "Homeland" star wore a baby blue high-neck
column gown with fitted waist and embellished sequined side trim. It's
elegant, classic yet modern at the same time.  

I especially love how her sides are exposed. Very simple design yet still impacting. I just think a chignon would have been better for this kind of gown, not this feathered late 80's do.

"Modern Family" actress Julie Bowen wore this Monique Lhuillier dress last night. It was a strapless devore velvet embellished dress with a slight high-low hem. I liked this on her. It was a bit unique, fit her perfectly and her accessories were right-on. Like Claire Danes, the hair was a bit of a "miss" for me.

Chrissy Teigen and John Legend: Chrissy wore a one-shoulder gold and silver embellished gown from Kaufman Franco and looked flawless.  Speaking of flawless: Hello John Legend! They are a Super-Fab Couple for sure!



Up Next: Part Two of the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner Red Carpet---The Chiffon and Structured Ladies and one HOT Double-Breasted Guy!