Evening described as 'more exciting than the Oscars'

Colin and Livia Firth were amongst 67 invited guests this week at a dinner in honour of the Queen attended by Barack and Michelle Obama.

The Chiswick based couple were invited by the President to Winfield House in Regent's Park, the official home of the US Ambassador. Other guests included David Cameron, David Beckham, J.K. Rowling and Tom Hanks.

Livia said prior to the event on her blog, "Not really sure how I have negotiated today without having at least one panic attack. I never thought I'd meet Barack Obama and am possibly even more in awe of his wife, Michelle. So the fact that we're off to the US Ambassador's residence very soon to meet them both is very big news indeed. It is possibly the most exciting thing that's ever happened to me - Oscars notwithstanding!"

She wore a dress designed by Henrietta Ludgate as part of the Green Carpet Challenge. Henrietta is a pioneer of localised production and techniques to reduce the clothes miles of her dresses. They are designed in her Scottish studio and use fabrics processed and woven in the British Isles. It was from end-of-line duchess silk satin and went from design to finished garment in just a few days.

According to Henrietta, "The tradition of Scottish kilts dates back to at least the 16th Century and pleating further still. With the increase in the cost of handwork, and too few skilled replacements, traditional specialised production units - such as pleaters - are increasingly struggling to remain open. The artisan pleaters used in the making of this dress have been going since the Twenties and are one of the few remaining artisan pleaters in the UK."

Livia Firth also wore Susannah Lovis of Burlington Arcade earrings.

A three-course meal was served that included lobster ravioli, griddled fillet of aged Highland beef, crushed jersey royals with rosemary, asparagus and minted broad beans, topped off with classic pecan pie and brandy ice cream for dessert.

June 9, 2011