Stunning Look for Michelle Obama

'Tis the season to go glam. First Kate Middleton — known for wearing affordable, accessible brands on the red carpet — turned up the wattage last week with a diamond tiara that also happened to be a royal heirloom (the first time she's worn one since she got married.) Then, on Sunday night, Michelle Obama eschewed her shorts-wearing, J. Crew-loving, sensible first-lady image and swept into the Hollywood-heavy 36th annual Kennedy Center Awards in a spotlight-stealing Grecian gown.

Made of emerald-green silk chiffon (a regal goodbye wave to Pantone’s 2013 Color of the Year, Emerald Aisle, before Radiant Orchid takes the throne for 2014) the off-the-shoulder Marchesa dress draped across the body and rippled along the floor with a life of its own. Simply but splendidly accessorized with a head of bouncy curls, and delicate diamond jewelry, the look instantly became an Internet phenomenon with praise from media, celebs, and civilians alike. 

The first lady pulled out the glitz for the media-heavy Kennedy Center Honors event, which annually recognizes America’s most influential, iconic artists — Sunday's recipients included Billy Joel and Shirley MacLaine. So in a fitting fusion of Hollywood and Washington, Michelle Obama's gown was created by Marchesa, the label run by Georgina Chapman, the wife of Hollywood heavyweight — and major Obama supporter — Harvey Weinstein. While Marchesa has been a favorite label of the first lady’s for years — in fact she wore a similar green, off-the-shoulder design by Chapman last year — never has she struck such a vibrant and feminine chord as she did last night.

Considering that she was quoted in November as saying her biggest fashion regret was wearing ultra-casual Bermuda shorts as she deplaned Air Force One — "Sometimes I forget I'm the first lady and I'm running around in shorts" — perhaps this goddess gown is a sign of dressier times to come.