Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
The Obamas' First State Dinner: Dazzling Fashion, Celebrities
By
Jen Chung
Published Nov 25, 2009
Modified Nov 25, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Gothamist
View all 12
By
Jen Chung
Published Nov 25, 2009
Modified Nov 25, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Last night, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama held their first state dinner at the White House. According to Politico, the "first couple applied their formal-but-comfortable style to a social event with international implications," with the President toasting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in a giant tent on the White House lawn, "Mr. Prime Minister, today we worked to fulfill our duty — bring our countries closer together than ever before. Tonight, under the stars, we celebrate the spirit that will sustain our partnership — the bonds of friendship between our people."
The NY Times reports the Obamas "made sure to infuse the glittering gala with distinctive touches," such as hiring a new florist who "bedecked the tented outdoor dining room with locally grown, sustainably harvested magnolia branches and ivy" and selecting "a guest chef, Marcus Samuelsson of Aquavit in New York, an American citizen who was born in Ethiopia, reared in Sweden and cooks up melting pots of flavors and cuisines." The menu was meatless (with the exception of a curry prawn dish), a nod to the Prime Minister, who is a vegetarian.
The china was a mix of china services from George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Dwight Eisenhower, and the guests spanned Hollywood (Steven Spielberg, David Geffen) to New York (Mayor Bloomberg). And the Washington Post found the procession of guests—around 400, hence the tent since the White House's dining room only holds 130—"the sweet but awkward quality of teens dressing up for prom: posing for pictures, rushing along (Louisiana's Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal, Kalpen Modi), afraid of making any mistakes of etiquette."
Of course, the biggest news may have been Michelle Obama's glittering strapless dress by New York-based designer Naeem Khan, who told People, "I feel so happy to be a part of this historical event between the two countries where my heart lies. I am relieved to have a job well done and am so honored to have been chosen. This is a Thanksgiving in its truest form for me and one that I will never forget — an American dream coming true."
Tagged
First Lady Michelle Obama
Michelle obama
president obama
State dinner
White House
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC looks to grow involvement in Open Streets as applications open for 2027
The Mamdani administration bolstered funding this year and is asking applicants to suggest infrastructure upgrades.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 14, 2026 at 12:52 p.m. ET
New Yorkers are paying $300 million for natural gas they don't even use
A new study found that nearly 2% of the city's natural gas is leaking into the air and causing climate pollution.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
New Yorkers are paying $300 million for natural gas they don't even use
A new study found that nearly 2% of the city's natural gas is leaking into the air and causing climate pollution.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Early Addition: Eric Adams did not convince a Wisconsin town to build a data center
By
James Ramsay
Hit-and-run driver arrested trying to flee to Uzbekistan after deadly crash, NYPD says
By
Brittany Kriegstein
NY measles outbreak more widespread than official count, health officials say
By
Caroline Lewis
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .