As Michelle Obama wows in cobalt for the State of the Union address, how Barbara Tfank became her go-to girl for major events

At the State of the Union address last night, Michelle Obama's cobalt dress made for a searing pop of colour in a sea of suits and subdued hues.

But lovely though it was, it didn't come cheap. The dress was a design by Barbara Tfank, a favourite with the First Lady, whose designs can sell for over $2,000.

Indeed, some have questioned whether such an expensive choice was appropriate, given that she was seated next to Jackie Bray, a single mother from King’s Mountain, North Carolina who put herself through community college to boost her career prospects after getting laid off from her job.

Bold choice: Michelle Obama in Barbara Tfank at the State of the Union address last night. But some consider her expensive dress inappropriate, given that she was seated next to Jackie Bray, a single mother who put herself through community college after getting laid off.

Ms Bray's success has been hailed an example of the type of partnership between businesses and community colleges that President Obama hopes will maximize job opportunities and work placements.

Political critics aside, the style set have hailed Mrs Obama's dress a sartorial hit, especially given that she has given the design a unique twist, accessorising with an oversized brooch by New York jeweller Alexis Bittar.

Of course, this is not the first time Mrs Obama has worn the label. Barbara Tfank has become something of a go-to designer for her most important occasions.

She chose a Tfank creation for one of her most high-profile photo opportunities of last year: to meet the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in London.

 The dress, from the resort 2011 collection and worth around $2,000, had a floral print, co-ordinating waistband and full, prom-style skirt.

Evidently altered especially for Mrs Obama, the dress differed sightly from the version put on sale by the label in that a bow on the waistband had been removed.

The addition of a bright pink opera jacket added a splash of colour, silver heels and yet another brooch completed the look.

It comes as little surprise that the First Lady loves the label so much. The first time she wore it, she was snapped by a White House photographer in a picture that has become one of the most famous of her husband's time as President.

Walking along the Colonnade, the knee-length green and blue printed dress, worn with bright pink shoes and a double string of pearls, looks as timeless as the setting.

The couple had been on their way to a ceremony to presents the Medal of Honor posthumously to the sons of U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt Etchberger for bravery in March of 1968 in Laos.

If it seems as though Barbara Tfank creations all seem to share a retro feel to them, you would not be far off the mark.

The Los Angeles-based designer, who trained as a costumier and designed costumes for a number of movies in the Nineties, is heavily influenced by the Fifties and Sixties.

             

Tribute: Designer Barbara Tfank was inspired by Elizabeth Taylor for her spring/summer 2012 collection

Her latest collection paid particular homage to the late Elizabeth Taylor, going as far as dressing the models in custom-made wigs, padded bras and vintage Bulgari jewellery.

Ms Tfank wrote in her collection notes: 'Into an age of perky, unthreatening blonds she came a brunette whose voluptuous face was mirrored in the unconstrained curves of her body.

'With her dark brows, violet eyes, full lips, full body and frank gaze, she could look like no one else.'

 'What baby weight?': Carla Bruni gets her slender figure back just three months after giving birth;

Considering she is a former supermodel, it was only a matter of time before Carla Bruni Sarkozy regained her figure.

But the French First Lady appears to have shrunk back to her pre-pregnancy weight in record time - just three months after giving birth.

The 44-year-old appeared refreshed and relaxed as she was pictured with her husband at Elysee Palace in Paris today to greet Ivory Coast's First Lady.

Carla looked elegant but casual in black trousers and top - adding a burst of colour with a purple coat.

Last month, Carla was pictured at the palace's annual Christmas party looking more tired, as any new mother would be.

Giulia Sarkozy, who was born on October 19, is the first baby born to a sitting French president.

The Ivory Coast president Alassane Ouattara is on a three-day visit to France, with his wife Dominique, to sign a new defense pact and thank Paris for intervening in post-election violence that kept him from office.

He was holding talks the Sarkozy ahead of a state dinner tonight.

Some French troops will remain in Ivory Coast under a military accord and France is maintaining aid to the country after so far injecting €400million.

A debt relief contract worth €2billion is in the works.

Return of the super: Jerry Hall, 55, models backless dress at Couture Week;

 While Couture Week is the ideal event to showcase new talent on the catwalk, it seems veteran models are the ones making all the waves.

Earlier this week, Yasmin Le Bon stole the show wearing a 50kgs red dress by Stephane Rolland.

And last night Jerry Hall was back to work, walking for Swiss designer Jean-Luc Amsler.

 The 55-year-old Texas-born blonde showed off a long black, backless dress - and a slender figure.

It's hard to believe she has a 19-year-old daughter - Georgia May Jagger - in the throws of her own successful modelling career.

But last night, Jerry proved the apple doesn't fall very far from the tree.

The former wife of Mick Jagger keeps in shape by eating healthy - but admits to a few vices.

She once said in an interview: 'I never eat between meals and I don't eat junk food. I mostly stick to fish, vegetables and chicken.

'But I do love chocolate, coffee, red wine and cigarettes.'

 Earlier this week, 47-year-old Yasmin Le Bon stole the show at Stephane Rolland in a 50kg red dress;