Malia, Sasha Obama turn heads at first State Dinner

(TriceEdneyWire.com) – Sasha and Malia Obama, the teenage daughters of President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, were nothing less than stunning for their first state dinner, where they were first clad in designer fabrics and later in controversy.

During the official White House event last Thursday night welcoming Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, both Sasha and Malia ruled the red carpet, rubbed elbows with dignitaries and enjoyed a rare star-struck moment with “Deadpool” star Ryan Reynolds.

While the First Lady wore a custom strapless gown by one of her favorite designers, Jason Wu, her daughters wore dresses by designer Naeem Khan.

Malia, 17, wore a strapless faille gown with crystal beading from the designer’s pre-fall 2015 collection.

Sasha, 14, wore a dress from the Indian-American designer’s 2016 resort collection. The red, black and sheer gown was embroidered with all-over threadwork, beading and appliqué, accentuated by a fitted bodice and ball skirt. She also tied a thin ribbon around her neck as a choker.

It was clear that the coming-of-age moment was not lost on President Obama, who couldn’t resist gushing about his daughters.

“When I was first elected to this office, Malia was just 10 and Sasha was seven. And they grow up too fast. Now, Malia is going off to college … and I’m starting to choke up,” the president said during his opening remarks at the dinner.

Prime Minister Trudeau also recognized the girls’ confidence and grace, and took the opportunity to pay tribute to them.

He went on to express his admiration for the sisters’ strength and said that they enjoy a “remarkable childhood and young adulthood that will provide extraordinary strength and wisdom beyond your years for the rest of your life.”

This article originally published in the March 28, 2016 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.