Singaporean PM's Wife Used A RM45 Purse When She Visited The White House
She bought it during an event that raised funds for autism support services.
By Tang Ruxyn — 04 Aug 2016, 11:24 AM
It was a high-profile occasion on 2 August, when US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed Singaporean PM Lee Hsien Loong and his wife, Madam Ho Ching at The White House
The couple were welcomed with a formal arrival ceremony at the White House. Later, Mr Lee had a meeting with Obama in the Oval Office.
"This marks the first official state visit by a Singaporean prime minister in over 30 years. It celebrates the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two nations. And it is a reflection of my friendship and partnership with Prime Minister Lee over the last eight years,” Obama was quoted as saying by WSJ.
However, it was Ho Ching who stole the limelight after she was spotted using a dinosaur motif denim pouch for the arrival ceremony
The pouch, called a Denim Pouch-Dino Blue Black, was reportedly designed by 19-year-old Sheetoh Sheng Jie, who is a student at Singapore's Pathlight School for autistic children.
According to The Straits Times, she bought the purse for SGD14.80 (RM45) last Saturday during the 'A Very Special Walk' concert and funfair that aimed to raise funds for autism support services.
Ho Ching, commonly addressed as 'Mrs Lee' by Singaporeans, is an adviser to Autism Resource Centre, which set up Pathlight. She is also a patron of the Autism Association Singapore.
Netizens have since poured their praises for Mrs Lee for her "humble choices"
Following the incident, the pouch was selling like hotcakes. In fact, due to the overwhelming response from the public, Sheng Jie's Dino pouches have been sold out.
However, a notice by The Art Faculty, a store managed by Pathlight yesterday, 3 August, mentioned that those who are interested in purchasing the Dino pouches may pre-order the item online now.
Separately, Mrs Lee received equal attention that night as she joined her husband for a dinner hosted by Obama at the 12th state dinner of his administration in Washington
Mr Lee and Mrs Lee were greeted by the Obamas at the White House North Portico.
Mrs Lee wore a kebaya with a gold-sparkly lace overlay while the US First Lady was in an ivory dress designed by Brandon Maxwell – a longtime stylist to singer Lady Gaga and a red carpet favourite.
The couple were ushered into the White House and down the Grand Staircase for official photos before heading into the Blue Room.
Obama gave a toast before the dinner began, honouring PM Lee and speaking about the US' five decades of friendship with Singapore
"Nearly 50 years ago, President Lyndon Johnson welcomed to the White House the first prime minister of a newly independent Singapore – a man hailed as "a patriot, a brilliant political leader, and a statesman of the new Asia" – Singapore's founding father, Lee Kuan Yew," Obama reminded his crowd of 200 guests.
"A half century later, Michelle and I are honoured to welcome his son – a patriot, a brilliant political leader, and a statesman of a rising, thriving Asia Pacific," Obama said.