First Lady shimmers in expensive gown at low-key state dinner
President and Mrs. Obama hosted a decidedly more subtle state dinner for German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the White House Tuesday evening.
Though Mr. Obama presented Merkel with his highest honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the dinner otherwise lacked the glitz and glamour of the Obama administration-- with one noticeable exception.
First Lady Michelle Obama wore a shimmery ivory sleeveless gown by Naeem Khan, a designer she favors and also donned at the president's first state dinner in 2009.
Naeem Khan gowns retail from $5,000-$15,000.
Khan told the Wall Street Journal the first dress he made for Mrs. Obama was "priceless."
Known for her fashion, Mrs. Obama accessorized Tuesday with gold bangles by Alexis Bittar, which range in cost from $145-$695 per bracelet.
The first lady had also worn a dress from Diane Von Furstenberg's new spring line to greet Merkel at the White House earlier.
State Dinner for Germany
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi sported designer attire Tuesday evening as well, though she told reporters the cream-colored Tierry Mugler gown was "very old."
Other guests were seemingly dressed more modestly. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) told press her navy gown cost $170 and her shoes, $29, a point she was happy to make during a bleak economy.
Before dinner, the president held a joint press conference with the German chancellor where he took questions on jobs and economic conditions. "I am concerned about the fact that the recovery that we're on is not producing jobs as quickly as I want it to happen."
This, perhaps, is a reason why the event was more low-key.
The Rose Garden event did not include big celebrity names like dinners previously thrown by the Obamas for the Indian and Chinese heads of state, which have drawn stars like Barbra Streisand, Steven Spielberg and Eva Longoria.
James Taylor, who provided the dinner's entertainment, was the guest list's only celebrity standout name.
Tuesday's guest list was heavier on fundraisers, administration officials and other key campaign figures, including outgoing economic adviser Austan Goolsbee and Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-Fla.).
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http://blogs.forbes.com/bluecarreon/2011/05/12/what-it-takes-to-dress-michelle-obama/
Times have been bad before in this country. The difference now is that there are a bunch of whiners out there that have to blame someone else for what ever is wrong in their lives. Republicans have been hell bent on getting you to blame President Obama and people like you are falling for it.
If you were so concerned about the American people where were you when the previous President started a war of choice and deployed our military over and over and over again? Where were you when Dick Cheney was telling us that deficits didn't matter as they were spending like drunken sailors. Where have you been listening to Republicans demonizing federal, state and city employees. Where have you been as Republicans refused people unemployment benefits, affordable heath care. why aren't you whining as you see Republicans defunding education and other social programs while protecting entitlements and corporate welfare?
You people have been whining from day one as our President has carried out his duties as the duly elected President of the United States of America. Perhaps instead of whining about everything the Obama's say or do you might just educate yourself on what a President actually does. It is apparent that none of you people who flock to these boards day in and day out whining don't have a clue as to how this country is even operated. How pathetic!
Just one more example of how little the Obamas care for the financial situation in this country as long as they make themselves look good.
Vacations and fashions for the egotistical Obamas should be paid for out of Obama's salary and stop sticking it to the taxpayers.
Why do you people insist on implying that the Obama's are somehow using tax dollars in a manner that no other President and family have ever done before? Why not educate yourself and understand what this President, like all other Presidents pay for. You do know that Presidents get a salary, a salary that was doubled during George Bush's term. He is also a millionaire in his own right. Do you not think that this President just like other wealthy people can buy clothes of their liking? When did becoming President mean that a President is supposed to live like a pauper? When did one family, this family become personally responsible for everything wrong with the country? And you showcase your ignorance with your statement:
"Vacations and fashions for the egotistical Obamas should be paid for out of Obama's salary and stop sticking it to the taxpayers."
Why would you even say that when you know or should know good and darned well that the taxpayers are NOT paying for any vacations or fashions for the Obama's or any other President. You can't lie and make things up just to suit your narrow minded agenda. The American people are smarter than you and know darned well that people like you are doing everything you can to dream up ways to be critical of the President and his family even when you know you are wrong.
Way to tighten the belt!