Korean-American designer can expect a boost in sales...First Lady Michelle Obama's gown for the State Dinner honoring South Korean President Lee Myung-bak was created by Korean-American fashion designer Doo-Ri Chung, an East Wing aide tells Obama Foodorama. Mrs. Obama dazzled in the one-shoulder purple/magenta gown, which had a blue and green beaded belt. She embellished the look with a large gold cuff bracelet and gold earrings. Black, open-toes heels peeked out from beneath the hem.
The First Lady unveiled the gown as she joined President Obama in welcoming President Lee and First Lady Kim Yoon-ok to the White House at about 7:15 PM. The theme of the dinner was "American Hospitality," and Mrs. Obama's gown choice was a careful one: At a previous State Dinner, she was criticized for wearing a gown that was not designed by an American designer. Click here for the dinner menu and click here for the guest list.
President Kim and Mrs. Lee arrived under the North Portico during the end of a violent storm that included thunder, lightening and a driving rain. The Guest Arrivals report from Booksellers is here.
When Mrs. Obama wore a red gown designed by the house of British fashion master Alexander McQueen to the State Dinner in honor of China's President Hu Jintao, it caused an outcry. (Above: The President and Mrs. Obama at the Dinner Arrival Ceremony with President Hu)The red color of the gown was a nod to China, of course, and Mrs. Obama looked elegant and glamorous. She's worn McQueen designs to less formal events, too.
For the most recent previous State Dinner, in honor of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Mrs. Obama wore a sparkling cream gown designed by Indian-American designer Naeem Khan. Mrs. Obama selected a gown designed by Khan for the State Dinner in honor of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India, too. (Above: The President and Mrs. Obama with merkel and her husband Joachim Sauer)*Top photo by AP; other photos by Eddie Gehman Kohan/Obama Foodorama