THE QUEEN’S OF FASHION UNITE IN ENORMOUSLY SUCCESSFUL VISIT OF THE VERY ’THOUGHTFUL’ PRESIDENT BARACK AND MICHELLE OBAMA
What a wonderful day for Britain yesterday, not only due to the success of the visit itself by President Barack and Michelle Obama, but also due to the fact that from the time of her arrival, (wearing Preen), Michelle Obama thoughtfully included pieces from some of our most exciting British designers into her wardrobe for the visit, (whilst not forgetting to pack some of her favourite American pieces also).
Yesterday morning, Kate and William met with the President and his wife at Buckingham Palace. The Duchess of Cambridge (our Queen of the High Street) as ever proving that one need not always choose designer pieces to look fabulous – and fabulous she certainly did! Slim, bronzed and beautiful, she looked very confident and at ease in a beige, fitted ‘bandage dress’ by Reiss, which showed off her figure to perfection (and cost under £200).
The dress was so popular that the Reiss website crashed within a couple of hours, unable to cope with the amount of consumers wanting to purchase the ‘Shola Bandage Dress’.
Michelle Obama wore a gentle pale blue prom dress, with silver applique, by Barbera Tfank, (an American designer), with a candy pink silk bolero.
Changing shortly afterwards for a visit to Westminster Abbey to lay flowers on the ‘Tomb of the Unknown Warrior’ and then off to meet David and Samantha Cameron (who wore a stunning print dress by Peter Pilotto at No 10), Michelle wore a slightly bolder coloured purple dress this time by Roksanda Ilincic (another British designer) and a blue coat by Narciso Rodriguez.
Then, later for the State Banquet, Michelle wore an ivory halter-necked, grecian style gown, with much draping by Tom Ford. Also wearing long white gloves, with her hair up, and exquisite diamond earrings which shimmered in the light, Mrs Obama looked spectacular. (After a total of three changes in one day, and a ‘show-stopper’ like this gown - it seems that Michelle Obama is really pulling out all the stops!)
The Queen looked wonderful, in a long white gown, with a bejewelled top and diamond tiara, necklace, earrings and brooch, and Camilla wore another fetching off-the-shoulder gown by Anna Valentine, with a Boucheron tiara lent to her by the Queen. (Anna Valentine designed Camilla’s bridalwear, and her outfit for the Royal Wedding of Kate and William also, and all have looked spot on).
Guests at the banquet included Tom Hanks, Kevin Spacey (who apparently loves living in England), Sir Richard Branson, Helena Bonham-Carter (looking fabulous in a claret coloured Vivienne Westwood gown), with her husband Tim Burton, and diplomats and politicians, including John and Norma Major, and Boris Johnson, with his wife Marina Wheeler.
It is said that Mr and Mrs Obama presented a gift of a pot of honey to the Royal Family (amongst other gifts), which happens to be one of Prince Charles’ favourite foods. (He purportedly takes a pot with him wherever he goes). If ever one wondered what to give to the man who has everything - ‘sharing’ one’s honey – even if it is from the gardens of The Whitehouse - seems to be an incredibly personal and thoughtful gift, and just right….!
We can’t wait to see what today’s Fashion brings!
Stay tuned – we will keep you posted with all the daily Fashion News right here today on Fashion Show Images….!
(Words – Amanda Waters)