WHO WORE WHAT?.....Michelle Obama in Carolina Herrera Custom, France State Dinner

President Francois Hollande of France with U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama, as he arrives at the North Portico for a State Dinner at the White House in Washington, D.C.

Tonight was the State Dinner to honor French President Francois Hollande. The big news is the fact that he would come sans his partner of course--after the news of his "affair" (how French!). Well, that's old news, it's all about what the U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama wore. The first lady chose a dramatic Carolina Herrera ball gown with a voluminous skirt and lace applique top. Of note: the blue and black gown is the first dress with sleeves Obama has worn to a state dinner. 

 Ball Gown First Lady: U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama with U.S. President Barack Obama--Statae Dinner at the White House in Washington, D.C. for France's President Francois Hollande

The dress includes a black hand-sewn beaded embroidery applique scallop-edged top over a liberty blue silk faille corset, according to a statement from the Carolina Herrera P.R. people. A wide black velvet belt breaks up the top from the silk faille inverted pleat skirt. There was some speculation that Mrs. Obama would chose an American designer of French descent (as a style nod to the French President). However, this did not happen--Carolina Herrera is a Venezuelan-born American fashion designer popular with the red carpet A-List as well as Ladies-Who-Lunch Upper East Side Manhattan Doyennes.

Gown First Lady Michelle Obama is more known for an off-the-shoulder more fitted/column style gown so this is a bit of a departure for her. I think she looks very elegant, dramatic and very on-trend (ball gowns are BACK!).

President Francois Hollande of France is greeted by U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama as he arrives at the North Portico for a State Dinner at the White House in Washington, D.C.