I have just three words for first lady Michelle Obama's style at last night's state dinner:
Drop… Dead… and Gorgeous!
She was absolutely elegant in a strapless gown of white-gold silk chiffon embroidered with hand-cut sterling silver sequins in an abstract floral pattern.
The gown is by Indian-American designer Naeem Khan – a diplomatic choice, since the guests of honor were India's prime minister, Manmohan Singh, and his wife, Gursharan Kaur. President Obama was very proper in a classic tuxedo.
Mrs. O accessorized with a pale-gold wrap, an armload of Indian-style gold and diamond bangles, and immense chandelier earrings. Each featured a fleur de lis and a teardrop of gold and purple stones. Again, very Indian-inspired — and displayed to perfection by her romantic, upswept hairstyle.
The one-of-a-kind, custom-designed dress was entirely handmade, reports Mary Tomer, founder of the Website www.mrs-o.org. It required three weeks of work by 40 people, and was completed in Naeem Kahn's family workshop in India. Earlier in the day, for the state-dinner preview event, the first lady wore a skirt by another Indian-American designer, Rachel Roy
More on Naeem Kahn: As guest on Larry King Live last night, he said he designed three of four gowns for the state dinner, coordinating through Ikram Goldman in Chicago, the boutique owner who is Mrs. O's unofficial stylist. He had been directed to create something "Indian, chic, simple, but very glamorous."
I'd say he delivered on all four counts.
Seeing the first lady wear one of his designs, he said, was "beyond amazing."
Also of interest: Both his father and grandfather designed for Indian royalty in their careers. Now he has designed for the closest thing we have to American royalty. Quite a coup!
Here is a closer look at the sequined gown, left. I'd love to know what you think of it. And below right, a shot of statuesque Michelle Obama with the president and their guests of honor.
