Xi’s wife Peng Liyuan wins fans and turns on the style for White House state dinner

Peng Liyuan , President Xi Jinping's wife, demonstrated to her American audience the style that has won her renown as a fashion icon, selecting an embellished silk gown in a rich aquamarine hue to attend Friday's White House state dinner.

With three-quarter-length sleeves, the gown boasted intricate beading on its bodice and skirt. The name of the designer was not immediately available.

Meanwhile, Peng's opposite number, US first lady Michelle Obama, wore a dress by Chinese-American designer Vera Wang.

The black, off-the-shoulder mermaid gown was fitted, with sheer sleeves, and skimmed the floor with its tulle flounce. Its wearer swept her long hair off to one side.

The American first lady has worn Wang's designs before, winning rave reviews for the draped, strapless, electric blue column she wore at The Kennedy Centre Honours in 2011.

Peng was considered more famous than her husband when he took office in 2013, having enjoyed a long career as a singer of ballads and patriotic anthems with the People's Liberation Army arts troupe. Since then she's emerged as a key force for Chinese "soft power", ever present by her husband's side during trips abroad, unlike previous first ladies who largely stayed in the background.