Michelle O's fashion diplomacy

Roll up, roll up for the Michelle Obama fashion express. Much to our patriotic satisfaction (confession: American here), the first lady celebrated the essential relationship with a parade of fashion from the hottest British and American designers.

By ELLE UK and NonePublished: 25 May 2011

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Besides yesterdays floral-embroidered frock (very Queen-appropriate, if not particularly thrilling), Obama wore designs by Preen, Roksanda Ilincic and Tom Ford.

She deplaned in London on Tuesday morning dressed in a cobalt blue suit from Preen, whose British designers Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi show their collections in New York.

Obama changed into a vivid purple dress and blue coat from Ilincics pre-fall collection for a meeting with David and Samantha Cameron (who wore one of Peter Pilotto's blue-and-white S/S '11 dresses) at 10 Downing Street.

I am thrilled that Michelle Obama chose to wear this dress, Ilincic told us. The vivid colour suits her beautifully. As a London based designer, I am particularly honoured that Michelle chose to wear my design when visiting the city.... her support resonates across both sides of the Atlantic.

The days final flourish came courtesy of Mr. Ford. Obama wore his ruched ivory georgette gown with matching opera gloves to a white tie state dinner at Buckingham Palace. The dress echoed another famous ivory gown worn by Obama: her inaugural gown, which vaunted Jason Wu to household-name status in the space of a single dance.

With its striking neckline, divine fit and sense of grandeur, the Ford gown suited the occasion superbly.

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