Fashion takes center stage at state dinner

Two of the administration's most fashionable women, First Lady Michelle Obama and White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers (pictured here) both lived up to their sartorial reputations at President Barack Obama's first State Dinner on Tuesday.

Rogers arrived a little before 7:00 p.m. wearing a nude, multi-layered dress with pearls embroidered between two layers of silk chiffon. The designer is one of Rogers' perennial favorites: the Japanese fashion house Comme des Garcons, known for edgy, understated luxury.

The First Lady chose to showcase the work of Indian-born designer Naeem Khan, who created a strapless floor-length cream and silver gown for the event. Michelle Obama wore ten cream and silver Indian bangles, which were similar to ones she wore during a preview of the dinner Tuesday afternoon in the State Dining Room.

Two particularly elegant traditionally Indian looks were on display: Prime Minister Singh's wife, Gursharan Kaur chose a black sari with red and gold trim. The First Lady's deputy press secretary, Semonti Stephens, wore her wedding dress. Stephens, who was married earlier this year, recycled the traditional Indian dress she wore for the ceremony.

But not everyone was turned out in designer duds. Jean Chu, wife of Energy Secretary Steven Chu, was asked by reporters who designed her black satin dress and lace jacket. "Bloomingdales," she answered.