Below is my attempt to "re-style" the First Lady. Unfortunately, I cannot do anything about those shoulders. And she clearly doesn't listen to advice (what stylist will not bring them to her attention) about covering them up (note the gauche "tan lines" above her collar bone).
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Left: In a Naeem Khan gown at the White House
Correspondents' Dinner
Right: Photoshopped [KPA] with re-styled hair and
button earrings replacing the dangly loops
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Murano Glass earrings
(Possible replacement for
Michelle's loops
Michelle Obama wore a gown by "Indian-born, American " fashion designer Naeem Khan to the dinner. The gown was similar to the bulbous "African" gown she wore for the Premier of Japan's visit last year. As I wrote here, Michelle seems to be singling out and promoting "designers of color," which is a code phrase for non-white designers. So far, I haven't seen her wear anything by black designers, probably because of the dearth of state dinners-worthy gowns, although she did wear the "African" atrocity, designed by the erratic but talented (late) Alexander McQueen.
Well, Michelle is showing off her ample, hard-earned (apparently she works out quite a bit) muscles, in this shoulder-less dress, about which this fashion blogger comments:
Mrs. Obama chose a printed silk gown from one of her favorite designers, NY-based Indian-born Naeem Khan. It's from his Spring 2012 Collection and on the runway (as you can see above), it was shown with a one-shoulder drape. As we all know, the First Lady has some AMAZING shoulders and intelligently knows that they should be showcased. Therefore the one shoulder over-drape was removed for Mrs. Obama. I think she looks great. I love the "ethnic" feel of the mixed print and it is very ON TREND with what is happening in prints.It looks like Khan, who has other variations of this bulbous gown, designed this dress especially for Michelle, a First Lady who "has some AMAZING shoulders and intelligently knows that they should be showcased."
Many of Khan's designs, especially his evening gowns, are striking, but do not quite reach the beauty he seems to be aspiring for (perhaps that is why the Vampiric Pop Star, Lady Gaga, wears his gowns - see below). He is certainly channeling the lovely Indian saris, with their ethereal silk and colorful designs, many encrusted in gold and silver threads. He doesn't reach their level, though, in delicacy and beauty. But he seems good enough for Michelle.
Just a small detail. Michelle is wearing large, dangly, round earrings, which I find inappropriate for formal evening wear (I know, I already said that her dress wasn't up to par for the occasion so the jewelry goes with the outfit). But here is an interview with Khan on the Wall Street Journal, on why (and how) he added that incongruent "touch":
WSJ: The First Lady looked so confident and comfortable. Can you talk about how the dress was made?I would have given her a less "Indian" look, and with button-style earrings, with her hair styled up. But why would someone described as an "Indian-born American" designer bother with the traditions of America? Like all non-western, ethnic chauvinists, Khan is primarily interested in his own cultural background. But he still has to sell his clothes in America, and to other "ethnics" including blacks and whites. So his designs become a hybrid, but skewed heavily toward the Indian side.
Khan: What she did with her hair and I love the idea of all those bangles, because it’s very traditional Indian. You know, Indian women do not live without their bangles. When you get married, you get your bangles, and you have to wear them till the day you die.
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Below are a collection of authentic Indian saris from two sari weaving towns in India, Maheshwari and Chanderi:
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