Marie Claire UK Marie Claire UK
  • Fashion Fashion
      • Fashion
        • View all Fashion
        • Fashion Trends
        • Shopping
        • Watches and Jewellery
        • Fashion News
  • Beauty Beauty
      • Beauty
        • View all Beauty
        • Fragrance
        • Hair
        • Make Up
        • Skincare
        • Nails
        • Marie Claire Beauty Awards
  • Health Health
      • Health
        • View all Health
        • Fitness
        • Nutrition
        • Female Health
        • Wellbeing
  • Life Life
      • Life
        • View all Life
        • Opinions
        • Travel
        • Sustainability
        • Weddings
        • Money & Work
        • Competitions
  • Culture Culture
      • Culture
        • View all Culture
        • TV and Film
        • Celebrity News
        • Books
        • Royal News
  • Vouchers Vouchers
      • Clothing
        • View all Vouchers
        • Mint Velvet
        • Karen Millen
        • H&M
        • nobody's child
        • ASOS
        • ARKET
        • MANGO
      • Designer Clothing
        • View all Vouchers
        • Reiss
        • THE OUTNET
        • SSENSE
        • Mytheresa
        • Liberty London
        • Selfridges
        • Farfetch
      • Accessories
        • View all Vouchers
        • AllSaints
        • Aspinal of London
        • Charles & Keith
        • River Island
        • FitFlop
        • Kate Spade
        • Vagabond
      • Jewellery
        • View all Vouchers
        • Pandora
        • Abbott Lyon
        • Goldsmiths
        • Beaverbrooks
        • Astrid & Miyu
        • Swarovski
        • Angara Jewellery
      • Beauty
        • View all Vouchers
        • Sephora
        • Cult Beauty
        • Space NK
        • Dyson
        • Clarins
        • Look Fantastic
        • Clinique
      • Activewear
        • View all Vouchers
        • Lululemon
        • Gymshark
        • Sweaty Betty
        • Nike
        • adidas
        • New Balance
        • Helly Hansen
  • NEWSLETTER Signup to our newsletter
  • logoCreated with Sketch.
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!


    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    You are now subscribed

    Your newsletter sign-up was successful


    An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
    Trending
    • Women in Sport 2026
    • Marie Claire Masters
    • Autumn Winter 2026
    • Nail Trends 2026
    • Best Investment Bags
    • Best Perfumes
    1. Style

    Michelle Obama goes regal in red Alexander McQueen

    America's First Lady flew the flag for British fashion, donning a spectacular gown by the late designer for a grand State Dinner

    By Marie Claire
    Published 20 January 2011 In News

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    Michelle and Barack Obama - Alexander McQueen, Marie Claire
    Michelle and Barack Obama - Alexander McQueen, Marie Claire
    (Image credit: Rex Features)
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    Share this article
    Join the conversation
    Follow us
    Add us as a preferred source on Google
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    America's First Lady flew the flag for British fashion, donning a spectacular gown by the late designer for a grand State Dinner

    It's little wonder she's been dubbed the 'First Lady of Fashion.' Michelle Obama paid tribute to late British designer Alexander McQueen last night, when she wore a spectacular regal red gown to a State Dinner at the White House.

    LOOK BACK AT MICHELLE OBAMA'S TOP 10 STYLE MOMENTS HERE

    While renowned for championing emerging design talents and little-known labels, Michelle usually tends to promote American-based brands - so it was a refreshing change to see her flying the flag for British style, particularly on such a high-profile occasion.

    And of course, it was a great honour for McQueen's design successor, Sarah Burton - who took up the helm of the fashion house in the wake of his sudden death.

    You may like
    • Michelle Obama Liffner bag Michelle Obama Just Wore the Sophisticated Bag Brand Every Fashion Insider is Obsessed With
    • Andy Burnham and Marie-France van Heel entering 10 Downing Street “Are We Just Jealous?” Victoria Moss Unpacks the Sexist, Ageist Commentary Around Marie-France van Heel’s Victoria Beckham Dress
    • Eva Omaghomi After 17 years in the Royal Household, Eva Omaghomi Talks Bringing African Design Talent to Harrods

    Michelle and Barack Obama - Alexander McQueen, Marie Claire

    The ruffled, organza creation was a modified version of the finale piece from the Resort 2011 collection, the first under Sarah's eye.

    Michelle Obama in Alexander McQueen - British, designer, gown, dress, late, Barack Obama, Chinese President, State Dinner, Marie Claire

    The First Lady teamed her standout frock with dazzling droplet earrings, an elegant updo and a black fringed shawl.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    Michelle Obama in Alexander McQueen - British, designer, gown, dress, late, Barack Obama, Chinese President, State Dinner, Marie Claire

    The Obamas were hosting a grand State Dinner at the White House, in honour of the Chinese President, Hu Jintao - the first for a Chinese leader in 13 years.

    Michelle Obama in Alexander McQueen - British, designer, gown, dress, late, Barack Obama, Chinese President, State Dinner, Marie Claire

    What do you make of Michelle's British style? Let us know your thoughts in the comments box below!

    LOOK BACK AT MICHELLE OBAMA'S TOP 10 STYLE MOMENTS HERE

    SEE ALEXANDER MCQUEEN'S FINAL COLLECTION

    SEE SARAH BURTON'S FIRST READY-TO-WEAR COLLECTION FOR ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

    ALEXANDER MCQUEEN: A RETROSPECTIVE

    Marie Claire
    Social Links Navigation

    The leading destination for fashion, beauty, shopping and finger-on-the-pulse views on the latest issues. Marie Claire's travel content helps you delight in discovering new destinations around the globe, offering a unique – and sometimes unchartered – travel experience. From new hotel openings to the destinations tipped to take over our travel calendars, this iconic name has it covered.

    Read more
    Michelle Obama Liffner bag
    Fashion Michelle Obama Just Wore the Sophisticated Bag Brand Every Fashion Insider is Obsessed With
    Andy Burnham and Marie-France van Heel entering 10 Downing Street
    Fashion “Are We Just Jealous?” Victoria Moss Unpacks the Sexist, Ageist Commentary Around Marie-France van Heel’s Victoria Beckham Dress
     
     
    Eva Omaghomi
    Fashion After 17 years in the Royal Household, Eva Omaghomi Talks Bringing African Design Talent to Harrods
    Autumn/Winter Trends
    Fashion The 10 Autumn/Winter Fashion Trends Worth Your Attention, According to a Fashion Director
     
     
    Latest in Style
    Mytheresa Linkby
    Shopping I’m a Fashion Director—Any of These 13 New-In Autumn Buys Would Make a Great Addition to Your Forever Wardrobe
    Autumn/Winter 2026/27 Trends
    Fashion Want to Know What to Wear Tomorrow? These are 7 Key Autumn/Winter 2026 Looks Setting the Tone for the Season Ahead
     
     
    Secondhand September: Women shopping secondhand
    Fashion I’m a Sustainable Fashion Expert: My Top Tips for Avoiding Fakes When Shopping Pre-Loved Designer
    Mariko Kuo
    Shopping I’m a Corporate Lawyer, and This is How I'm Wearing these 3 Trouser Trends at Work
     
     
    Latest in News
    New Beauty Launches Romilly Wilde / Cécred / Bobbi Brown
    Beauty The Beauty Digest: Cécred Comes to the UK, Romilly Wilde Returns & £22 Skincare Gets Serious
    The Beauty Digest: New Products to Know
    Beauty The Beauty Digest: A Foundation With Infinite Shades, Diptyque Does Bodycare, and the Exhibition Every Beauty Lover Should See
     
     
    Eva Omaghomi
    Fashion After 17 years in the Royal Household, Eva Omaghomi Talks Bringing African Design Talent to Harrods
    New Beauty Products: The Beauty Digest
    Beauty The Beauty Digest: Dyson Does Teeth, Fenty Rips Up the Rulebook (Again) and a Surprisingly Fragrant Week for Dogs
     
     
    logoCreated with Sketch.
    • Site Archive
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Contact us
    • Terms and conditions
    • Advertise with us
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • About us
    Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google

    Marie Claire UK is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    © Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.