After much anticipation and suspense, the First Lady attended the Inaugural Balls wearing a one-shouldered ivory Jason Wu Dress. Made with a silk Chiffon fabric and covered in organza flowers and Swarovski crystals, Michelle looked absolutely breathtaking, in this long, flowing dress. Mr. Wu, a 26 year-old designer, originally from Taiwan, was thrilled to have designed her chosen dress, saying, “I was in awe when I saw her. I was emotional, I was amazed.” Later on the Today Show, he elaborated, “I wanted to design a gown that would highlight her best features.”
To complete the outfit, Michelle donned earrings and a bracelet made by Loree Rodkin. She chose 60-carat white gold and triple rose cut diamond drop earrings, a 10 carat center stone white gold and black rhodium rose cut diamond ring and white gold and diamond bangles. This outfit, as well as the one the First Lady wore to the Inauguration Ceremony will become part of the permanent collection at the Smithsonian Museum.
Perhaps no one said it better than President Barack Obama himself at the Neighborhood ball, when his first words out were, “How good-looking is my wife?” Mr. President, we could not agree more.
However, not all viewers found Michelle Obama’s dress to be quite as monumental. Fashion guru Tim Gunn, mentor on Project Runway and Host of Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style, told CNN that he had hoped to see something with more jewel tones. On the other hand, Tommy Hilfiger remarked, “I thought she looked elegant and beautiful. I think white was appropriate for the evening complementing Mr. Obama’s white tie and formal dress.”
Nevertheless, Michelle radiated happiness in her gown, and perhaps that is the takeaway messages. Perhaps Rick Nelson sang it best in Garden Party, when he astutely quipped “You can’t please everybody, so you’ve got to please yourself.”