President Barack Obama and First Lady Michele Obama at the recent NAACP Awards.
The President has named a new Head to the National Endowment of the Arts. All images courtesy of Google Images Southampton – Never did the arts get such a big boost as they did this week with the Obama Administration showing the love all over town with some very special appearances and a significant new appointment of a new National Endowment for the Arts czar. The very big news was somewhat expected as President and Mrs. Obama were announced a few weeks ago as the Honorary Chairs of the American Ballet Theater’s Spring Gala at Lincoln Center, celebrating the opening the company’s 68th season. When it became apparent that Michelle Obama was definitely coming and would speak, the fashionable ladies of New York and the East End went into a tizzy, and the ballgown hunt was on. The ABT gala is always a very stylish fete, but this year there was a plethora of voluminous gowns in vibrantly colored satin and silk and an eye-popping display of precious jewels. And in a tribute to Michelle Obama’s famous bare arms, many of the ladies went strapless. Renee Zellweger was radiant in gunmetal strapless satin Deborah Norville Wellner showed off her ample bosom in a gravity defying teal blue number Fe Fendi and Hillary Gumbel both opted for arm bearing red satin Iman, a/k/a Mrs. David Bowie, wore a lime green lace princess ballgown that could hardly fit into a well-sized carriage, much less a limo. Kelly Ripa looked very chic in strapless midnight blue Lynda Carter commanded respect in a gorgeous gray satin overlaid with black lace – very Flamenco Alexandra Lebenthal was in va-va-voom off-the-shoulder red silk taffeta and Deborah Roberts looked high glam in a one-shouldered ruffled baby pink satin gown, which hubby Al Roker complimented by wearing a baby pink tie! Matt Laurer attended the ABT Gala. Steven Spielberg acquired rights to produce Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. biopic. Jessica Alba partipates in “No More Tears” charity auction.
Designer Stella McCartney.