Miranda Kerr’s Trip to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner Was About Style and Substance

The White House Correspondents’ Dinner is an experience like none other. Washington D.C.’s annual “nerd prom” honors excellence in journalism while raising scholarship money for the next generation of news people. After a two-year hiatus, it returned this weekend with a bash hosted by Trevor Noah and a guest list that read like a pop culture who’s who. Celebrities have their pick of invites, but few involve an evening spent alongside political heavyweights. 

Having the President of the United States as the guest of honor is always a plus, but the event’s true power lies in its celebration of free speech. For Miranda Kerr, who attended on Saturday with her husband, Snap Inc. CEO Evan Spiegel, the intention behind the party is what makes it relevant. “It’s such a unique and special night that brings people together to support the First Amendment,” Kerr shared after the party. “[Evan and I] had heard about it but had never been before, so when Mathias Döpfner from Axel Springer invited my husband and I, we were delighted.” 

For her first trip to the WHCD, Kerr and her stylist, Jessica Paster, wanted to keep things refined. “The look I was going for was something elegant and timeless,” explains Kerr. Designer Sheila Frank stuck to those principles when creating Kerr’s pale pink spaghetti strap ball gown for the occasion. Reminiscent of Gwyneth Paltrow’s iconic Ralph Lauren Oscar night gown and Old Hollywood red carpet looks, the piece managed to be a showstopper without overshadowing the event’s purpose. 

Though her fashion was on point, the highlight of Kerr’s evening was getting to enjoy a night on the town while supporting a message she believes in. “The best part was the energy with everyone being back together,” she says. “We’re so blessed to live in a country with a free press; I feel that’s never been more important. So to see so many different people from the media, the government, and business to reaffirm our commitment to the First Amendment collectively was truly special.”