First Lady Jill Biden didn’t just wear a Ralph Lauren gown to Thursday night’s state dinner in honor of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi — the designer was invited to the black-tie affair as well.

Decked out in a tuxedo and Recent Balance sneakers, the Recent York-born and -bred Lauren clued in reporters to the incontrovertible fact that he designed the primary lady’s gown en path to the elegant seated dinner within the East Wing, in response to a White House pool report. A White House official later confirmed Lauren was the designer of her gown. But Lauren wasn’t about to share any details about his shimmery emerald-colored evening dress before the large reveal. The pool reporter said, “Asked if he wanted to present a preview of the dress, Lauren quipped with a smile, ‘No.’”

He wasn’t the one designer among the many 400 guests dining at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue — Reem Acra also made the cut. Each designers played leading roles when the primary couple’s granddaughter, Naomi, was married on the White House last 12 months. Lauren designed the extravagant wedding gown that the bride wore for the South Lawn ceremony and Acra created the slimming, strapless dress she wore for the evening reception. Lauren has dressed the primary lady for various momentous occasions including President Joe Biden’s 2021 inauguration ceremony and, more recently, for King Charles III’s coronation in May.

With a population of 1.4 billion, India undoubtedly stays an enormous business opportunity for a lot of American brands. To spotlight the alliance between the 2 countries, flags from each country were flown Thursday night and the decor and color scheme were inspired by the peacock — India’s national bird. To appeal to Modi’s vegetarianism, chef Nina Curtis prepared a largely plant-based menu although fish was an entrée option.

Other state dinner guests included tennis standout Billie Jean King, M. Night Shyamalan, Apple’s Tim Cook, Huma Abedin, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, Hunter Biden, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and James Murdoch.