Welcome to the third installment of POLITICO’s State Dinner arrivals coming to you from Booksellers at the White House. — Kendra Marr and Amie Parnes
Here’s a rundown of the best arrivals so far.
Asked if he’ll run in 2012 …
“We’re loyal to our country and our president,” said John Huntsman.
Vera Wang walked into the hall as reporters gasped: “Wow!”
Who’s Vera Wang wearing, your poolers asked. “I’ll let you guys guess,” the A-list designer said.
And (!) Did she design first lady Michelle Obama’s dress tonight? “No I did not,” she said.
Wang said she enjoyed seeing President Hu again: “That was kind of a big thing. Great to see him again.”
Jackie Chan’s date goes “Jackie give me your camera” — a big SLR — before he walks out to greet the press.
Why he is lugging that thing around? “I just want to take some photo” he shrugs Chan, who is wearing a tux with a mandarin collar.
Going to do some stunts? “No, not today”
Wendy Murdoch: Where’s Rupert? “He’s traveling.”
How do you feel about being here tonight? No response. Kept on walking. Bye bye.
Best mother daughter combo: Madeleine and Alice Albright.
Mona Locke, in an elegant gray satin gown said she bought it from a Seattle designer
Christiane Amanpour walks briskly through only to mouth,”Armani,” when asked about her dress.
Another “where’s your date” moment for Elaine Chao. She’s accompanied by her father.
— FLOTUS wore a fire-engine red, one-shoulder Alexander McQueen gown. McQueen died just last year.
The guests:
— Barbara Streisand was asked why she was invited tonight. She deadpaned: “I worked in a Chinese restaurant.” Babs wore a dress of “my own design” — a navy pin-striped three piece skirt suit with rhinestone buttons — plus lots of diamond necklaces. “Come closer you say?” she asks … but doesn’t budge an inch towards the press.
— No “Who are you wearing?” questions for Sen. John Kerry. Rather, how would you tone down the political rhetoric if it were up to you? “It’s up to individual senators and members of Congress to tone down the rhetoric and find compromise. … They can’t come here with a scorched-earth policy.”
— Kenneth Roth of The Human Rights Watch: “I take the reason I was invited as a statement to President Hu.”
— R is for Represent: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was the only Republican at the state dinner. “It’s a great night for our country,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a Republican or a Democrat.” He admitted though, that, being the only one there “makes me unique once again.”
… But some others felt lonesome. The mayors of neighboring Oakland, Calif., and San Francisco arrived together. Oakland Mayor Jean Quan: “We’re very honored … This is the first time we’ve been here. We’re like the only mayors.”
— Go for the gold. She may have won the silver medal but … Michelle Kwan wore a gold, sparkly mini Herve Leger bandage dress. “”It’s an honor, truly an honor,” she said.
— “Law & Order: SUV” actor BD Wong arrived with his mom. “It’s a little overwhelming. I’m happy to share this moment with her,” he said. Then he pulled out his iPhone. Asked if he was tweeting, he responded “I have to have a pic of this. I want a pic of all of you.”
— Best and only sports line of the night: “Go Bears!” said Chicago Mayor Richard Daley.
— Best Chinese-inspired outfit: Johanna Breyer, wife of Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, wore a long hot pink jacket — qipao — paired with a long black skirt.
— Most nostalgic: Former National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski, upon entering booksellers, exclaimed, “Feels like old times.”
— And everyone wanted to know …Â Who are you wearing, Anna Wintour? The Vogue EIC walked in wearing a white zig-zag Chanel suit and no sunglasses. She said she hoped to ask the Chinese premiere whether he will “invest money in Chinese fashion.”
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