At Last, Mrs. O Wows in Jason Wu
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 9:20 PM 
Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images
Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images
After months of speculation and hundreds of designs, we finally get to lay eyes on Mrs. O's Inaugural Ball gown - a gown for the ages. We are amazed and delighted. On the first day of December, we wrote a post entitled "A Name to Remember" that was inspired by the young designer behind the perfectly sophisticated, modern shift dress Mrs. O wore for an interview with Barbara Walters.
The designer of said dress was Jason Wu - a 26 year old Taipei native, former student of designer Narciso Rodriguez and finalist for the 2008 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund prize. Tonight, Mr. Wu won the greatest prize of all, dressing our First Lady in a winter white one-shoulder gown flecked with organza flowers and crystals for the Inaugural Ball. Of great interest is what Cheryl Tan of Heard on the Runway reported at the time of the Barbara Walters interview:
Mr. Wu isn't working on any more 'special projects' for Ikram at the moment but is hoping to get another call. While Seventh Avenue has been abuzz over who Mrs. Obama will wear on Inauguration Day, Mr. Wu said he isn’t focusing on that. “Oh,” he said, “that’s a long shot!”
As background, Ikram (referenced in the paragraph above) is Ikram Goldman, the owner of the famed Chicago boutique that bears her first name. We explored Ikram's style influence in a piece earlier this week, "The Mix is the Message". She is responsible for connecting Mrs. O with many of the designers that have become familiar names throughout the campaign and inauguration. In an odd twist, Mrs. O's gown shows similiarity to the design we predicted in interviews with the Chicago Tribune and NPR several weeks ago:
"Winter white chiffon gathered asymmetrically from an empire waist to one shoulder, with a gray-silver full satin skirt. A bejeweled diamond brooch worn off-center at the waist line."
With so many pointing to Mrs. O's penchant for jewel tones, we thought she might choose just the opposite: a white winter that we would remember forever. Indeed we will.
Update: Cathy Horyn of the New York Times is on the case once again - love her. In a conversation with Jason Wu this evening, the designer revealed that he didn't know Mrs. O was going to wear his dress until he saw it this evening. The designer went on to describe the 8 to 10 yards of silk chiffon, and many crystals that went into the design. "It had to sparkle," he said. The dress had been based on measurements and details provided by Ikram Goldman.
Later Tuesday evening, Jason Wu spoke with CNN to explain his inspiration for the dress. "It's about hope. It's about newness," he said. "It's all a little dreamlike, and we're making history, and I wanted to really reflect that." We can practically hear the well-deserved excitement in the designer's voice as he added, "It's thrilling. ... For a young designer, I couldn't ask for any more than this."
Ikram, Jason Wu in Inauguration 2008, Outfits
Reader Comments (218)
what's most disappointing about it is, it's too long. she repeatedly has had to move the hem while she's dancing. And Brian Williams noticed the same thing and said "we almost had a wardrobe issue here"
I loved her day outfit -- great color, and I thought it was very flattering. I'm not crazy about this dress at all. But overall I love her style and am looking forward to 8 years of fabulous fashion from Mrs. O.
OK, I've made up my mind--you are all crazy!! There's a picture of the train at this link and it's amazing. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,481067,00.html
Seriously, you look at this dress again. How can you not think it's beautiful?
The dress will look beautiful in the Smithsonian and perhaps, she was thinking more about the fact she wouldn't be keeping the dress. Jill Biden's dress is what I was expecting from Mrs. O.
Please don't misunderstand, I think the dress is gorgeous and she does look to be about 20, but I just don't think it was the right dress for this time.
i love the gown it looks elegant,sophisticated and youthful .I think it was a great choice !!!!!!!!
Mrs. T, I just noticed that you had completely predicted Michelle's dress! You were amazingly accurate!
She looks beautiful. Elegant.
I would like to say that we should all take a breath, sit back, soak it in--let's give her the same courtesy we'll give Barack--there's going to be a misstep from time to time. She's still Mrs. O!
Thst's why we embrace her--she's like one of us.
I kept imagining her running around in her new house, checking on her girls in their new rooms (who are having a sleepover)--and trying to get ready for the biggest night of her life??? Did she even know where the bathroom was? Or her bedroom?
She didn't make the people at the ball wait for her while she had her hair and make-up done, she put on the dress, maybe some lipgloss, and swoosh.
I think she looks comfortable, soft, and relaxed, and ready to enjoy the night.
I can only imagine what her feet must feel like. She only sat down during lunch, and in the car for awhile, as much as I can tell.
Carry on Mrs. O!
I thought Michelle looked fabulous tonight!
I just refreshed and saw the picture above. I ask again:
HOW CAN ANYONE NOT LIKE THIS DRESS??????
And how people be so harsh in discussing it? It's such an inspired choice for her. I really hope all of you will look at some pictures of it and try to get past your first impression.
LOL...this is so funny...came here by accident, but I will add my two cents. Although she is a hot women, she is a mother, wife, sister, daughter and the 1st LADY of the United States. That dress was what I would think a lady would ware and be proud to show it to her kids, husband, dad and the world. I am a black man and I like to see black women in white, so the color is cool too.
Beautiful woman, beautiful dress...she seems to love the quirky details.
Not what I expected (i was thinking more what Jill wore) and that makes me happy.
I hope she keeps dressing in the way that makes her happy.
I know one thing. I will most definitely be working out my arms more!!! Jill and Michelle look amazing...no more matrons in the white house. We now have women that actually break a sweat when they workout!!! Love it!!!
I whole heartedly agree with Kitty. I thought she looked lovely and fresh, but my first impression was, wow, that dress looks comfortable, perfect for running to 10 Balls after what must have been a long, though incredibly exhilarating day.
I wonder if there is an age issue between who likes and dislikes the dress. I think a lot of ppl wanted her to dress like Jackie O. But that was over 40 years ago. It is time that we make new styles. Also, ppl now days are way more casual (in a good way) than ppl 50 years ago. If she would have worn a "glam" frock the wingnuts would have been saying that Michelle thinks she's a queen. Again I like the dress, and she looks comfortable. I think she's showing older women that they can dress young and fresh w/out being age appropriate. Also it is a take on Nancy's first dress (am I the only one that noticed)?
I think the detailing in that dress is amazing, you need to look at it close up. A White dress can never be a fashion disaster. The reason she's not wearing too much jewellery is to reflect the time we are in. No need to show extravagance. Another 4 or 8 years of great fashion moments to come.
These are such good comments. I think there is a not-trying-too-hard factor about her gown and overall look tonight that is young and real. Besides, I have every confidence that we'll see some dazzle in the weeks and years to come at State dinners and such. She's got a long way to go. LOVE her.
Hi I'm back.
Jill. I'm surprised some of you are liking Jill's look.
I LOVE Jill. She is a gorgeous, down to earth, honest, intelligent woman who loves her family dearly.
And like Michelle, her husband adores her.
Wow, while I was typing those things about her, I changed my mind about what I was going to say!
I was going to say lately she's been looking a little "trophy wife"--then I decided that was mean, and since I love her, I wouldn't want her to read that and feel bad. Besides, she IS a grand prize.
So...upon re-examination, Jill, you look FABULOUS,
enjoy the evening. Red becomes you.
LGB and everyone else. MICHELE WAS WEARING A BULLET PROOF VEST TODAY! I'M SURE WE'D ALL LOOK BIGGER W/ONE ON. I think she was the first First Lady to have to wear one. It is more a comment on our society than anything else. Oh and their are some HATEFUL comments on this board, (cough Margie cough). Also when was the last time anyone here went to a prom? Or say a real prom? Geez to me this is the diff between Hovers wife and Eleanor, styles change. What was glam (gloves gawdy Miss America look) isn't glam anymore. Fun is chic, and so is funky. Mrs O dresses alot like a hipster I guess thats why I id w/it.
Someone above said that Michelle loves quirky details.
EXACTLY. Exactly. She has an endearing affection anything quirky. A big bow, like the dress on the More cover. A mismatched skirt, like for Ellen's show. A feathered pin worn on Larry King. Brooches in a cris-cross pattern, for one of the debates in October. These are all totally delightfully Michelle elements.
And it's totally endearing and wonderful about her. She likes clothing that is surprising, clothing that delights. This dress was like cotton candy, with amazing detailing. And it was totally unexpected. AND, she looked beautiful. Even people who did not like the dress can agree that she looked lovely.
So there you go. She has fun with her clothes. That's why I love her.
Michelle, if you read this (like she would ever....) please know that I love your style and I loved that dress!!
Ok - gotta agree w/ Mrs A and Elena.
You two made me think, and Jenna too.
I have been looking at other photos around the web and the dress is not so bad. Its not my favorite, but if Mrs O feels glam and lovely in it, then touche'
I actually loved the color of the day dress. I didn't care for the pantyhose. I was hoping color for her gowns (imagine that winter white dress in emerald green or cobalt blue or sapphire or magenta without the appliques).
Oh well.
Better luck next time.
I think its anti klimax after thrilled waiting what is she will be wore for the 'world event' ...finally she just look ok and simple.
Michelle was beautiful all day. The evening gown, though, was obviously too long. When a dress's hem gets in the way of a handsome couple dancing, then the designer (or dressmaker) has not done his or her job.
RJT, yes, the dress is not so bad, but "not so bad" is not what we expect from Michelle who such a good sense of style. The bandage strap looks like an after thought, it doesn't seem like part of the dress. The length...the lesser said the better...Wu has done a bad job. She is swimming in the dress as though it was a borrowed dress that'not fitting her...like someone said, I hope she gets the time to change into something else (perhaps her no.2 choice) this evening..
Her dress is gorgeous and people complaining are not happy that she didn't magically fulfill what they had created for her to wear in their minds. It's not as bad as these comments. I could see these types of comments for her victory night speech, but this one isn't 1/2 as "bad."
I think this is a case of building her up in one's own mind and expecting her to fulfill that ideal - which is impossible.
I bet no one spent 2 months dreaming up what they wanted her to wear when she and the President went to the White House after election day. No one dreamed up what she should have worn on Larry King one night, or on the campaign trail. So when we saw her in those instances, and what she wore...we judged her based on what we saw, not what we saw as compared to our imaginations of what she should've warn.
This dress was dreamed up in people's minds for months now. Like the President's inaugural address, the expectations were unreachable. And there was no way she could've fulfilled people's dreams and imaginations.
That is what we are seeing in these comments.
Thanks everyone who's been patient with the site tonight. I think we've had a big influx of traffic - much excitement around Mrs. O's gown! - and subsequently a few crashes. Hopefully it's all sorted now.
I am trying to like this dress but i can't. She hit it out of the park today in the chicest ensemble since Jackie Kennedy, but tonight looks like she's lugging around a bedspread. Generally speaking, women with big event media outfits try them out under the lights to see what they will look like in print -- is it too sheer, do i have the right undergarments, etc. She looks like the witch in the Narnia movies in this one.
I feel soooooo depressed for Michelle. I really, truly love this dress but I just made the rounds it seems to be quite disliked by many people, on various blogs. Obviously, that is not the reaction that she was going for so I really feel for her right now.
She really doesn't want to be "safe" in her style. I think that's important to her. But I fear that these kinds of reactions are going to knock her into submission at some point and she'll start dressing like Cindy Mccain. Or worse, Laura Bush. Horrors. She's going to put Oscar de la Renta and Calvin Klein on speedial and just wear something easily digestible every day.
Michelle...don't do it. Please remain your playful, smart, inventive self.
michelle Obama made several points with this dress : 1) she's on trend, hence the one shoulder, 2) she picked a young indie designer, and 3) she's not afraid to show some skin and still be classy!! Bonus points for all the Taiwanese who rejoice since Jason wu is on the map! (a Taiwan native)
i was rather surprised by the gown after seeing so many possibilities. I think it is probably dramatic in person but difficult to interpret the texture in the photos.I think this very long length is hard to walk in. What shoes was Mrs O wearing? Her upper body looked beautiful. I too thought she would be wearing an updo. She looked understated and elegant,and her glow was from happiness--she would have looked beautiful no matter what she wore.They are a stunning couple.
Turning a blind eye to the bandage...and the shapeless green...
That first picture on this page (http://www.mrs-o.org/wp-content/uploads/mrsoclose.jpg) is simply BEAUTIFUL What radiant smiles!!!!!! Makes the world more beautiful, kinder, gentler and honest. It is so uplifting and positive....great! I think these two are turning out to be people the world can look up to in every way!
I posted earlier and counted myself--tentatively--among the underwhelmed. I like the gown better now (and in one pic there's clearly some kind of train, so it's not a hem issue--she's trailing a lot of extra fabric behind her as the President spins her around on the dance floor), but it doesn't do what it's supposed to for FLOTUS on THIS particular evening. I bet it will look better in the Smithsonian, but on tv and in all the thousands of photos it looks too busy. The silhouette is distracting. BUT she and the President are wonderful together, obviously having a great time, thrilling attendees at the balls and continuing to inspire a nation with their youth, energy and--yes--style.
This dress shows off her best figure - her arms. More importantly, when you watch the video of her and Barack dancing, to the Best Song Ever, it's so moving. They are obviously still in love, and I am so psyched that they are representing our country now!
http://jezebel.com/5135849/beyonce-brings-it-at-obamas-inaugural-ball-first-dance
The details of the dress aren't really being seen on the television but as more pictures are released i think some of you will come to realize how stunning the dress really is.
She looks great. Jason Wu is a great designer, and those trying to read too far into Michelle's choice are bound for disappointment. She made a great decision, and she looked spectacular.
Love the top, dislike the bottom.
Mrs.O looked absolutely fantastic. The one-shoulder choice was so exciting, too, as I was hoping she would go that route! Though I was surprised to see her in white, (I was guessing that it would be a purple or some sort of a jewel tone) I think she looked magnificent. Bravo, Mrs.O!
Ah if one more person talks about the "shapeless green" outfit I will have a conniption. How shapeless would you look w/a bullet proof vest on? Forum following function. I'd rather Michelle be safe than to have to fit into some odd Jackie visions some ppl want to have.
So disappointed. Fluffy cotton ball and feathers with an awkward asymmetrical one strap. Maybe I'm biased, but I was looking for sleek, elegant, and this..just doesn't make me happy at all. Well, I like her other choices. Not like I go to many balls.
When my children go and visit this dress at the Smithsonian they will probably ask why she had to wear a vest, the whole concept will confuse them (as it does me a little bit).
I was disappointed, the style did NOT flatter her figure, and it did not look good on TV. Too fluffy, and it looked as if she had bunch of fabric attached to his body.
She looks good with more tailored look, what she wore on Lincoln memorial even was just about right..
sorry, I was not impressed.
I thought Michelle Obama was stunning. I would love to know is she wears size 11 shoes. If so she'd make thousands of women smile. I proudly wear size 11 shoes and I've created a shoe blog for women called, Your Feet Make You Unique for women who wear sizes 10, 11, 12, 13,14 and up. Visit http://www.yourfeetmakeyouunique.com.
Her husband liked it - doesn't that count for something? A dress that makes the leader of the free world say you look great - how bad could that be?
I like that she makes brave fashion choices. I doubt there is any dress that would bring universal acclaim.
And congrats to the hardworking people of mrs-o.org who clearly have found a new audience this evening. I've been watching for many weeks, and you deserve it.
So lovely. I've been watching the balls tonight on TV and thought that she looked so light,airy and fresh. Barack obviously loves her in it judging by how he's looking at her and maybe that's all that counts.
I have mixed feelings about Michelle's dress. I think that the dress itself is very pretty. It would look great on somone like Heidi Klum who is very then. On Michelle, it looked very bulky and at certain angles, made her look pregnant. Clearly, she did not get a stylist's opinion on this dress. The dress also seemed to not travel well. It was distracting to see her fiddling with it. She kept stepping on the dress/lining.
Even worse than her dress choice was her hair choice! She looked like she had just gotten off of work and threw the dress on right quick. I don't care if she only had an hour to get ready, she is in a position of having as much help getting ready as she needed on one of the most important nights of her life. She truly looked half done. I didn't really care for her make up or lack of make up or jewelry choice.
As for the daytime outfit, It wasn't awful, but I thought it was far too matronly for her. I looked like she got it out of her mother's closet. The shoes and gloves, didn't work well either.
I'm sure that in time, Michelle will find the right stylist who can ensure that she doesn't lose her since of style, yet someone who can help her pull it all together.
Black snob (great blog) has posted some beautiful pics of the obama's dancing, note the love light in Barack's eyes. The dress worked for him. And for me too, again, she looked so lovely.
http://blacksnob.com/snob_blog/2009/1/21/dancing-with-mr-president.html
It's prettier in the photos than it was on TV. What bothered me was that it looked uncomfortable. Every time Michelle danced with the President, she was tugging at the side, pulling the skirt up off the floor as though it was in the way or she was afraid of stepping on it. Even the second photo above shows her fussing with the skirt. It should have been an inch or two shorter, no puddling at the hem.
According to Cathy Horyn (NY TiMES) the dress was picked by Ikram Goldman of Chicago (her stylist). Jason Wu made the dress in silk chiffon and over 1000 swarowski crystals. It looks good close up, in photos the dress doesn't come up well. Hey she's the most intelligent and educated first lady ever, that counts for something.