aleXsandro Palombo is an Italian illustrator, whom the cult knows via his blog Humor Chic. Palombo studied design at the Marangoni Institute in Milan and later launch is own line before becoming the scathing blogger his is today. The designer has a no-hold’s barred social point of view and he uses personalities from the worlds of fashion and politics as his cartoon character templates.

One of my favorites is his reworking of Michelle Obama’s March 2010 Newsweek cover (seen below). It’s irreverent & relevant without hitting you over the head with it’s satire. I love that the skeleton is cheetah print! Mrs O, is almost as trendy, after all.

Images: humorchic.blogspot.com, michelle-style.com

Whether she’s tilling a garden, giving a speech, or receiving foreign dignitaries, much ado is made about what Michelle Obama wears. So when the First Lady wore British label Alexander McQueen to this week’s state dinner for Chinese President Hu Jintao the choice let loose a storm of praise and criticism. Most assumed that Mrs. Obama would have worn a gown by a Chinese or Chinese American designer – like Vera Wang, who was in attendance that evening. In some minds it was a lost opportunity and even a snub.

“My understanding is that the visit was to promote American-Chinese trade — American products in China and Chinese products in America,” Oscar de la Renta told WWD. “Why do you wear European clothes?” The Italian born designer, whose collections show in New York City went on to say that Mrs. Obama could have chosen a young American designer who needed the publicity (a la Jason Wu). The assertion, however, signals lack a depth of understanding of the moment.

Others (with less commercial stake in the matter) praised the choice for it’s opulence and nod to exsquisite artisanship and creativity in fashion. Pullitzer Prize winning critic Robin Givhan went farther, theorizing that the gown symbolized commentary on the production chain of the fashion industry.

And in wearing the gown to honor China, a country that many view with disdain for its abundance of cheap labor, counterfeit products, and poor labor practices, Mrs. Obama seemed to be recognizing the country’s inevitable place in the fashion cycle and giving it its due. Indeed, Chinese consumers represent a vast new marketplace for designer companies, and the production quality of its factories continues to improve. In short, Mrs. Obama’s choice was an optimistic celebration of all that fashion can be and it seemed to suggest that China was welcome to be a part of that vision.

Read the rest at The Daily Best.

But what the Givhans and Horyns have yet to mention is that that the rest of the Alexander McQueen Resort 2011 collection, from which the dress was taken and perfectly modified, contained a heavy Asian influence in its prints and shapes. The gown Mrs. Obama chose wasn’t obvious, but when you consider it’s vibrant red color and it’s floral pattern it does seem very Chinese.

photos: fashionising.com

Last evening the President and Mrs. Obama received Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the first State Dinner of the Obama administration. The First Lady was dazzling in a beautiful silver gown made by Indian designer Naeem Khan.

We just watched Mr. Naeem Khan on Larry King Live. Of interest, both the designer’s father and grandfather designed for Indian royalty in their careers. Mr. Khan relayed that he designed 3 or 4 gowns for the event, which were coordinated through Ikram Goldman in Chicago. The brief had been “Indian, chic, simple, but very glamorous.” With that, Mr. Khan chose the color, embroidery, cut and all other aspects of the gowns. He called the moment of seeing the first lady in his design, “So joyous,” continuing, “For me to be part of this historic occasion, being Indian, it is beyond amazing. It is an incredible moment for me.” Source: Mrs-O.org

India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur to the State Dinner at the North Portico of the White House

But while Mrs. Obama was stunning, style-wise Social Secretary Desiree Rogers was the best of the evening. Sec. Rogers chose a cutting edge gown from Comme Des Garcons, featuring layers of pearls under sheer chiffon.

Here she is at the State Dinner preview, looking like she’s had a trying day but holding it together nonetheless.

See more from Commes Des Garcons Fall 2009 Below (click photo for larger views):

Photos: Mrs-O.org, Getty, The Cut