Mrs. Obama chooses her important gowns at the last minute, an East Wing aide says...First Lady Michelle Obama chose a floorlength gown by Indian-born American designer Naeem Kahn for this evening's Stare Dinner in honor of German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The cream-colored gown was heavily embellished with sparkling gold and silver beads, and almost matches the Bauhaus-inspired decor chosen for the dinner in the Rose Garden, which is also sparkling cream, silver, and gold. The gown had a fishtail back. (Above: Dr. Joachim Sauer, the First Lady, Chancellor Merkel, the President)
The First Lady's hair was in loose curls, and she wore diamond earrings, with no necklace. She had an armload of bangles, a signature look. The gown choice would be a last-minute decision, an East Wing aide told Obama Foodorama at 3:30 in the afternoon, when queried on which designer Mrs. Obama would wear for the evening.
"She literally decides while she's getting dressed," the aide said of the First Lady, adding that the selection would depend largely on what Mrs. Obama liked best in the moment.
Plenty of gowns to choose from...The First Lady has a variety of gowns on hand at any given moment, donated by designers who are dying to have her wear them, because this causes a marked uptick in sales, of course, as well as global fame. Mrs. Obama also wore a gown designed by Khan to the State Dinner in honor of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India, in November of 2009. That decision was purposeful, and in honor of both the guest of honor and Khan's heritage.
It was crushingly hot as Chancellor Merkel and her husband, Dr. Joachim Sauer, arrived at the White House by limousine at close to 6:00 PM to be welcomed beneath the North Portico by the President and First Lady. Other dinner guests were arriving through the Booksellers entrance in the East Wing. (Above: The back of Mrs. Obama's gown)
The dinner is being held outdoors in a pavilion in the Rose Garden; the menu is here. The Guest List is here. The seating for the Head Table is here.
"Nice to see you again," President Obama said to Sauer as they shook hands, and he complimented the Chancellor on her own black gown. The reclusive university professor rarely attends events with his wife; members of the German media visiting the White House today with the Chancellor told Obama Foodoram they almost never see Sauer. (Above: Inside the White House, Mrs. Obama laughs with Sauer)*Photos by Eddie Gehman Kohan/Obama Foodorama
