Just absolutely stunning.

To be perfectly honest, the Office of The President is not a fashion show. Its the business of running our country.

I would like to think it was meant to be respectful of India and pay homage to the country. Whether there was political motivation behind is something I'd rather not think about :( +5

Somehow I feel that Laura Bush wouldn't have gotten the same kind of praise if she had made a similar move. The double standards amongst you libs is beyond astounding. Besides, I couldn't care less what kind of dress the first lady is wearing.

To be honest with you I am NOT watching Mrs. or Mr. Obama on any events at all. I am not interested.

Perhaps thoughtful and political but definitely not conniving. It is not uncommon for a head of state to wear clothes of a designer when visiting another country or hosting a HOS of another country. Princess Diana made it a point to wear an outfit by a designer from whatever country she visited. Come to think of it so did Jackie Kennedy.

I would have thought that the idea was classy if other first ladies hadn't come up with the idea prior to Michelle Obama. Do I think in that case that it's a political move, of course I do. And very transparent. I would think when you are in the "public eye", every move is political.

All of the above! People in the public eye have tremendous power to influence the careers of designers, to get their work looked at appreciatively. That's why actresses and models get so much free stuff all the time, they are walking advertisements. She rejected the chance to promote American industry by using a US designer, in order to give a boost to the career of an Asian person, so I'd say 'smart and thoughtful' win out, even if she also made some good press for herself out of it.

In the game of politics its all a big stage and show. Politicans are just like Hollywood actors, just not as gorgeous.

I am a God-fearing Republican. It was outrageous. There are plenty of real American dress designers.

I am a kick-ass Democrat. It was very smart and thoughtful.

It simply made sense. I'd be interested in doing things like that in her position. India was, probably, the topic of most conversations.

I think the whole thing is not even worth discussing. Who cares if she wore an Indian dress , American,European, Afican..etc. Like really, who cares?

Any thoughtful first lady would have done the same thing. It's a simple way of showing respect.

The First Lady was right to wear it.

Frankly, most of the time I couldn't care less what the First Lady is wearing and the constant press about it is annoying. But the First Lady does play an important role. She is, first and foremost, the hostess of the White House. She organizes and attends official ceremonies and functions of state either along with, or in place of, the president. In more modern times, First Ladies have had a voice of their own, and selected specific causes to promote.   White House hostess isn't an easy job, especially because you have to hit just the right note. You can't upset your own people, and let's be honest, it's not like they all agree or get along, and you can't upset the party you are hosting. You often host people from different cultures, with different religions and that doesn't even get into the political differences. Even when you're hosting an ally, it's difficult. People spend hundreds of hours working on seat placement, and menus and who enters when and how, in order to not offend anyone. It was very smart of Mrs. Obama to chose a dress designer from India. I don't see how it could be thought of as conniving--maybe you don't understand what conniving means? And yes, I think was both thoughtful and political. They aren't at odds really, and political isn't necessarily a bad thing and I don't see why it would be in this context. I don't know if it was an attempt to be political, but she'd have to be an idiot to not be aware of the political connotations. I don't think she could have made a smart and thoughtful decision without being aware that it would also be perceived as political. The decision she made was classy, respectful, smart, thoughtful and political. And, I was actually interested this time in her dress because when her dress was talked about you got more than gossip--I learned something about the history of clothes and dressmaking in India and a little about Indian culture which I found interesting. That what just looks like a pretty dresshas significance in it's design, in the textiles used, in the methods used--that was interesting to learn about. The other clever thing was that while she chose a dress designer from India, who used traditional aspects to his design, she also again used an American designer. And the dress she chose is something that is beautiful and understandable from an American style point of view. In a day and age where a lot of Americas feel that everything American must be superior/dislike or don't understand things from other countries and cultures simply because they are different, she both managed to support the American designer and introduce people to something from somewhere else, from a different culture, with a different history. And she managed to do it all in a way that's totally non-threatening. It is just a dress, but little things like this matter. And when people are paying a ton of attention to what she wears, she not only handled the moment appropriately, but took advantage of it. Naeem Khan was the third most googled person in America on the 24th. Which is pretty impressive for a foreign name that isn't some music or movie star. It's pretty impressive period. Were a lot of people just looking at the dress? Yes. But there were also a lot of articles written about the event, and the dress and the designer, and a lot of people read them and got something more out of it then "ooh, pretty and shiny." The fact of the matter is that simply in what she decides to wear Mrs. Obama has an impact. She knows that. She has to be thoughtful, and I think she did well.

What do I care? I didn't get to see her put it on OR take it off!

I think it was political but it was a beautiful gown and she looked amazing in it.

Good diplomacy and a gorgeous dress. Excellent choice.

Smart, thoughtful, and political, which is as it should be for the First Lady of the United States.

It's sad that when an important person from this country tries to honor and compliment a member of another country, it is met with suspicion. I am not talking about you, Rosie, but rather the way everything about the Obamas is met with suspicion and scuritny. I think it is telling. It is not that Michelle Obama is guilty of any conniving acts, it's more that we are running around with blindfolds on trying to find fault with everything because we trust NO one. I think past presidents have left this footprint more than poor Obama.

I believe it was a bit of everything. She wanted to show respect for the country that was visiting and it was a very lovely dress.

Hi Rosie! Belated Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!! I loved the gown. It is absolutely stunning!! While some news media declared it was more appropriate to wear at the Academy Awards than at the White House, I disagree. It was very thoughtful and respectful of them to have an Indian-appropriate meal and an Indian-American designer gown. Beautiful!! Lovely to see you, my friend!

I think it was both smart and thoughtful, with a touch of political thrown in. It made her look absolutely stunning, and she honored the country the White House was hosting by choosing a gown made by someone of Indian descent.

I don't give a flying fig what Lady Obama does. She has never been proud of our country, so I will never be proud of her.

She was smart and gracious.

Who cares.. She is ugly as hell, and looks like a man

It was a very pretty dress. I like the idea of it, sort of a political joining and a sign of friendship and love between two nations. Since other people seem to be telling their poltical connections, I am a registared Democrat. But my poltical views are largely conservative and many of my ideas are Republican in nature.

Smart and very thoughtful.