Talent and politics unite for the U.S.-Nordic Leaders Summit

Olivier Douliery/The Cut

As The Cut and Reuters reports, the Obamas hosted a very small 300-or so affair in honour of the U.S.-Nordic Leaders Summit.

The exclusive event had guests from every creative outlet. From fashion designers like Rick Owens and his partner Michele Lamy, to artists like Janelle Monae, the event brought some stunning looks that we believe now future State Dinner guests will have to up their style game even more so.

Other guests included Scandal's Bellamy Young, Jidenna Mobisson, Master of None's Aziz Ansari (with his adorable mom who is also on the show, as his date!), The Mindy Project's Ed Weeks, and Tracee Ellis Ross.

On Friday, creatives mingled with White House officials, diplomats, CEOs, and donors on the South Lawn. The atmosphere had a special touch of hand-rolled beeswax candles lit up which as Reuters reports, "reflected off ten-foot pillars of ice, an homage to the northern lights."

Pop singer Demi Lovato performed after the Nordic-inspired meal. The dinner included ahi tuna, tomato tartare, and classic red wine-braised beef short ribs.

Olivier Douliery/The Cut

Janelle Monae

Oliver Douliery/The Cut

Bellamy Young and Ed Weeks

Olivier Douliery/The Cut

Tracee Ellis Ross

Olivier Douliery/The Cut

Rick Owens and Michele Lamy

Alex Wong/2016 Getty Images/The Cut

Jidenna Mobisson

Alex Wong/2016 Getty Images/The Cut

Aziz Ansari and Fatima Ansari

Here's What Michelle's Been Wearing in Cuba

Getty

For their own State Dinner visit, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have arrived in Cuba.

While currently sticking to the themes of florals lately, Michelle should continue on wearing them as it suits her to a tee. Her first dress upon arriving to Cuba was a bold dotted and rose-printed dress from Carolina Herrera retailing at $2190.

For the two-day trip, Michelle also donned another floral dress this time by Naeem Khan (who also just recently dressed Malia and Sasha Obama for the Canada State Dinner) for their own State Dinner in Cuba. Naeem Khan has been a fashion favourite for Michelle over the years. 

Chip Somodevilla/Getty

To purchase a similar dress from Carolina Herrera, we suggest this one with cap sleeves which has the exact pattern and cut from Neiman Marcus for $2190.

Neiman Marcus

To purchase Naeem Khan dresses, we suggest trying Bergdorf Goodman for his latest collection. 

GQ Covers Justin Trudeau's Washington Looks

We are fans of GQ, so we were happy to see their post this week. According to the stylish magazine, the Prime Minister's style seen in Washington D.C., doesn't disappoint.

His uncommon and "damn good" style got a big thumbs up from the publication.

Getty Images

The article features PMJT's looks including the Canada 2020 reception, his three-piece daytime Washington look, and of course, his State Dinner tuxedo.

To read more on the story from GQ, please click here.

What Malia and Sasha Obama Wore to the 2016 State Dinner

REX/Shutterstock

According to WWD, Malia and Sasha Obama, both wore designer Naeem Khan for the Canada State Dinner hosted by their parents, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau.

It was a first for both daughters to attend a State Dinner. Perhaps coincidental, it was in 2009 when Michelle Obama wore Naeem Khan for her first State Dinner as First Lady.

Malia wore a nude strapless dress, and Sasha picked a floral lace and velvet inset dress. Both dresses were very appropriate and stylish for the event.

To read about our 2016 State Dinner coverage, please click here.

Jessica Mulroney Shares the Styling Process for Sophie Gregoire Trudeau

In case you missed it, PR and fashion strategist Jessica Mulroney spoke with e-talk to discuss styling and working with Sophie Gregoire Trudeau for her recent trip to Washington, D.C.

Jessica and Sophie collaborated and made sure to have Sophie wearing head-to-toe Canadian designers, for all six looks. As well, it was important to feature Canadian labels that were accessible to many fashion enthusiast, like Judith & Charles and Aldo.

As expected, garments and accessories spotted on Sophie are flying off the shelves and even on back order.

For the full interview with e-talk, please click here.

For our State Dinner coverage, you can read about it here. For more detailed coverage from us on Sophie's looks, please click here.

The 2016 State Dinner

Capital Hill Style/Twitter

For tonight's Canada State Dinner, the guest list has been released.

Canadians attending tonight's dinner include Ryan Reynolds (and his American wife actress Blake Lively), Michael J. Fox, Lorne Michaels, Mike Myers, and Sandra Oh.

The White House released the State Dinner's menu which features American and Canadian influenced cuisine.

6:57 PM: Guests seen are arriving to the State Dinner.

7:03 PM: CBC confirms Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau is wearing a Lucian Martis dress, Ela "Mini Milck" handbag, Zvelle shoes, John de Jong earrings, and a Dean Davidson ring.

7:11 PM: The two most talked about political power couples arrive.

JoyCTV/Twitter

7:25 PM: Confirmed. Michelle Obama's dress is a custom-made Jason Wu dress. Wu is a Canadian-born designer who works in New York. Quite fitting for tonight's event!

ETCanada/Twitter

7:30 PM: Blake and Ryan arrive. Blake Lively is wearing Ralph & Russo.

Twitter

So there you have it! A night which will go down in history. Lovely gowns, sharp tuxedos, for what seems to be a perfect night of celebrating diplomacy with some great food and entertainment.

Tell 'em I Need Reservations For 20: Canada State Dinner Menu Revealed

Canada 2020/Twitter

The Trudeau's are in Washington! On Wednesday, March 9, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau are attending a reception hosted by Canada2020. Guests include ministers from Canada and the United States, and even Canadian artist, The Weeknd. We are loving Sophie's jacket at tonight's reception!

Canada 2020/Twitter

Huffington Post Canada, along with CBC, released details on what will be on the menu for the official Canada State Dinner on Thursday, March 10 for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's visit to the White House, hosted by President Barack Obama. This will be the first Canadian visit in 19 years.

As for the big event tomorrow, the menu will feature food reflecting the spring season, highlighting elements of the best of American farm and seafood. Some of the ingredients are sourced from Mrs. Obama's White House Kitchen Garden.

Meagan Fitzpatrick/CBC

The official Canada State Dinner guide reveals the first course is a baked Alaskan Halibut “Casserole”, which will be "accented with delicate angel hair asparagus, chanterelles and spring onion from a farm in Ohio, and finished with herbed butter sourced from Mrs. Obama’s White House Kitchen Garden."

The next course is a salad with "thin slivered, roasted apricots in ginger, cardamom, and White House Honey, with crystal lettuce, young arugula, and variegated spinach. It is garnished with pine nut crisps and shaved Appalachian cheese."

And for the main course, it will be "tender lamb from Colorado, accented with an herb crust."

Meagan Fitzpatrick/CBC

As for desert, a 22 plate arrangement of edible art will be served including Nanaimo bars, butter tarts, squares, and chocolates. 

Meagan Fitzpatrick/CBC

According to the CBC, the flower arrangements featured are made up of orchids, hydrangeas, and amaranth to represent both Canada and the United States' scenery of their change of seasons in the spring time.

Of course, it won't be a Canada State Dinner without a finishing touch of Yukon Jack Canadian Whisky drizzled on "Yukon Gold potato dauphinoise and lightly sautéed varieties of spring vegetables", and, yes, a small interpretation of poutine.

Guests will be entertained by the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, the Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir, and singer Sara Bareilles.

To read our guide on what to wear to a State Dinner, please click here.

To see the official White House menu, please click here.

(Editor's Note: A special thank you to Kendrew, who let us know as soon as the dinner menu was released.)

What to Wear to a State Dinner

According to the Toronto Star, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau lands in Washington D.C., on Wednesday, March 9 in prep for his first ever State Dinner as Prime Minister (along with his wife Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau) held at the White House with President Barack Obama and the First Lady.

Yahoo News

The State dinner will be held in the East Room with many members of cabinet members from the U.S. and Canada, with perhaps a few celebrities as well. 

The East Room - WhiteHouse.gov

The Toronto Star also reports, before the dinner "each leader will offer a toast to his counterpart and praise relations between the two countries." Afterwards, there is entertainment and even dancing. 

Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau was spotted in Canadian label Greta Constantine last week in Toronto for a gala, so we feel she may wear another Canadian designer for this week's dinner as well. 

Twitter

So what if you find yourself with an invite to the White House State Dinner? Don't worry, we have you covered.

WHAT TO WEAR
Stick to Formal wear. Think of it like the Oscars of American politics. The White House Correspondents Dinner or the Parliamentary Press Gallery Dinner is equivalent to the Golden Globes. 

THE VIBE
It's a diplomatic event, with some party aspects. Aim to be elegant, but understated. 

OUR SUGGESTIONS

Bergdorf Goodman

Victoria Beckham - Double-Crepe Sleeveless Sweetheart Gown, Black

Farfetch

Lanvin - Crepe Knotted Evening Gown

Net-a-Porter

Givenchy - Gathered Gown in White Jersey

Net-a-Porter

NEEDLE & THREAD - Embellished Tulle Gown

Bergdorf Goodman

Oscar de la Renta - Short-Sleeve Floral-Embellished Tulle Ball Gown

Neiman Marcus

Ermenegildo Zegna - Custom Tuxedo

Neiman Marcus

Burberry London - Wool Tuxedo

Overall wear what feels right, and what you are most comfortable in. Be true to you, and have fun. Bon appetit!