Michelle Obama's State Dinner Jewelry Statement: Brits, Bling and Binns

It's been a while since I've felt compelled to write about a Michelle Obama jewelry moment. Sadly, the heady early days of the Mrs. O fashion zeitgeist have faded,  and I've frankly stopped my White House-related treasure hunting altogether.

Until last night.

Michelle Obama "brought out the Binns" to light up the State Dinner honoring British Prime Minister, David Cameron and his wife Samantha, and I literally stopped in my tracks when I saw her on the news.

Hallelujah! The Fashionista-in-Chief is back!


The Divine Mrs. O set off her stunning teal Marchesa dress with a Tom Binns statement necklace made from a bonanza of teal, blue, silver and white pearls layered over a giant rhinestone piece, according to USMagazine.com.

"I love the addition of texture with the Tom Binns necklace," Roksanda Ilincic, who dressed Obama for the evening, told reporters.

AND - she topped off the look with geode stud earrings by none other than Kimberly McDonald (another one of my favorites)!!!

Big. Deep. Breath.

Tom Binns, for the uninitiated is one of my all time favorite jewelry designers, known for his over-the-top statement pieces that are at once sculptural and whimsical, fashion-forward yet wearable. He designed an entire line around Alice In Wonderland, if that gives you any indication.

The last time Michelle Obama wore a Binns piece, she was on the other side of the pond at a black-tie dinner honoring the British royals. (Follow my drool here for more on that...)


Stunning, right? Perhaps the only thing that could keep my eyes off this exciting new addition to the Mrs. O jewelry hall of fame was this particular name on the guest list...



Maybe I'll gate crash the next State Dinner...Who's with me?