4:30 p.m. (EDT)
The biggest question on the night of any White House state dinner is, “Who will she wear?”
She, of course, is Michelle Obama.
The question isn’t answered until the first lady and President Barack Obama step outside the White House to greet their guests.
Speculation was mounting that Mrs. Obama would wear a Japanese fashion designer’s creation, since Tuesday’s guests are Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife, Akie.
At past state dinners, Mrs. Obama has chosen gowns that nod toward the country being honored.
Two designers bandied about on social media as possible choices for Mrs. Obama are Chitose Abe and Tadashi Shoji.
Abe is a Tokyo-based maker of sportswear; Shoji is a Japanese-born American designer known for his red-carpet gowns and evening wear.