Michelle Obama Dazzles in Custom Made Versace Dress For Last State Dinner

 For the final state dinner hosted by President Obama, this one in honor of Italy’s prime minister, first lady Michelle Obama wore a custom rose-gold chain-mail gown from Atelier Versace. It was a slinky gown with an asymmetrical neckline that slithered like liquid metal down her torso and around her hips. It was pure Hollywood glamour.

The gown hailed from the most rarefied corner of the Versace brand — the collection that is shown on the runway as part of the Paris haute couture season, the treasure trove that stars wear down the red carpet on their way to collect their Oscars. Designer Donatella Versace is also a fan of the Obamas, having once used President Obama as a source of inspiration for a menswear collection.

“I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to dress the First Lady,” Versace said in a statement. “Thank you Michelle for all of the things you have done for America and the rest of the world, for the women in the United States and the rest of the world.”

The choice, of course, pays homage to Italy, one of the world capitals of fashion. The country is known for its exquisite tailoring, luxurious fabrics and its ability to transform a sexy frock into a form of high art.

This is also a moment when Italian fashion is ascendant, thanks to the powerful influence of Gucci, with its gender-blurring sensibility, the continuing impact of Prada with its intellectual eccentricity and a crop of younger brands that are beginning to gain traction on the international stage.

And Obama has always been an internationalist when it comes to fashion, wearing the work of a diverse group of designers and brands — Azzedine Alaia, Duro Olowu, Jean Paul Gaultier, Preen — that come from all over the world.
Yet she has traditionally chosen to highlight American designers on major occasions. The last time she wore a gown by a non-American designer for a state dinner was in 2011, when the White House welcomed China’s then-president Hu Jintao. Obama chose a dress from Alexander McQueen, which had been created by British designer Sarah Burton. It was a vivid red dress with a stunning abstract print, but it also left many American designers feeling snubbed. The late Oscar de la Renta was particularly vocal in his disappointment, calling it a lost opportunity to turn the spotlight on American talent.Washington Post