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)
Michelle is gorgeous. The dress is definitely problematic though it appears to photograph better than it looks on tv.I identify with those who feel some disappointment and was anticipating a much bolder statement. However, I trust that as others have mentioned, she put comfort and fit first - and there is not doubt the color suits her brilliantly. But Mrs. O, please don't become overly dependent on a stylist!
as a HUGE mrs. O fan, I have to say, Im dissappointed. Its not bad, but its not great either. Considering all the scketches we saw from various awsome designers, she had boundless opportunities to wow, but did not.
Either way, it was still a great day, Im gladd I was there, I still feel good about Mrs. O, and many more fashion opportunities to come
ps: to Mrs. A...IM TOTALLY WITH YOU...WHAT HAPPENED TO MARIA PINTO?!?!?!
great dress! modern,intricate in construction yet it looked effortless and simple. it's understandable that the choice will alienate some. many wanted to see a classic,safe,predictable body hugging silhouette or a dramatic color.the sort of boring stuff you see in the awards show. those who follow fashion though will be ecstatic. this is fashion at it's best. this more relaxed almost empire shape is the future. (anyone seen lanvin fall 2008?)
viva la obama!
Actually Ikram owns a namesake fashion forward store in Chicago that carries many of the lesser known, more intellectual designers that Mrs O loves, and has been 'advising' Mrs O's clothing choices. I don't know how much of a 'stylist' Ms Goldman is, but apparently she 'advises' many of her clients who frequent the store.
The more photos I see of 'the gown' the more Mrs O looks like a lovely Cinderella.
Maybe I am reaching fashion media overload...
What a beautiful, amazing, unbelievable day, huh?
The world changed, right there under a cold, blue winter sky, right before our eyes.
Good night everyone
It's time for her to rid herself of Ikram Goldman or whoever picked the dress out. Just going back and looking at the simple outfits and dresses she wore during the last 2 years on the campaign trail, she has much better fashion instincts than this Ikram person. If this is her "stylist" he is not helping her.
Having looked at more pictures, the dress does photograph well in that you can see the beautiful details. But it's still ill fitting and on tv, it still looks like tissue paper and cotton balls. It's a perfectly beautiful dress and if it were properly fitted and this wasn't televised, it would be lovely. But it doesn't fit and it doesn't read as "beautiful" on tv. It reads as "messy".
Michelle, dump Ikram! You dress better on your own, First Lady!
Well you can't wear Maria Pinto all the time. She needs to give other not well known designers a chance too. Laura and Hillary always wore Oscar, that was just ridiculous.
Rregardless.... I just fell head over heels in love with this beautiful couple that is so obviously in love with each other!!! What a fantastic and magical day!!!! Happy New DAY!!!!!
Here is a close-up of the detailing: http://thepreppyprincess.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/michelleocloseuphands11909gown.jpg?w=288&h=163
It's an AMAZING dress.
for the love of god people--give the woman a break. she is HOT and looks fabulous, and even if there is a dress out there that might be even more flattering or crowd pleasing, we wouldn't like her as much if she spent her time obsessing over how her dress would look on tv instead of focusing on more important things. again though, she actually does look awesome. you may not like the aesthetic of the dress itself, but at the very least it shows off her hot shoulders and arms. please:
http://www.people.com/people/gallery/0,,20253676,00.html
furthermore, can we not just enjoy the moment instead of turning to (frivolous!) criticism? this was a good day!
Just so long we are all okay with the fact that Jason Wu's designs are assembled by sweat shop labor working under appalling conditions, then okay then.
(If you don't believe me, ask his reps.)
The wound is just too fresh! Two words:
Maria Pinto; BTW - Why promote a fur designer as FirstLady? Much bigger faux pas than a dowdy gown!!!
You are splendid ! a dream for the world ! db
Originals tee-shirts db :
http://davidb.spreadshirt.net/fr/FR/Shop
Having had now several hours to digest it and looking at several pictures, especially of the detailing...this was a stunning dress. I think people just got a bad first impression, which is unfortunate. But the dress itself is quite beautiful. And Michelle looked like a star tonight.
Totally Mezmerizing!!! President and Mrs. Obama were phenomenal and breath-taking!!! I loved the asethetic that Mrs. Obama exudes from her pure heart and soul!!! You Go Girl!!! Be encouraged!!
Yay! She looks beautiful; what a glow - she puts the candelebra to shame! The President looks so handsome, what an amazingly goodlooking couple. I LOVE the dress - feminine, frothy, elegant and on trend. The main thing is that the First lady would look good no matter what she wears. She just has that aura/body (which not many people have) that enables her to make the simplest things look magnificent. Only heaven knows what people were expecting - but I say, leave her alone to make her own way fashion wise. She has obviously managed it very well for all her adult life, she does not need the shrill voices voicing their unwanted opinions!
Loved the color and that fact it was one shoullder. It was unexpected but i think she looked lovely.
i want to like it but... it's difficult. she also kept having to tug at it because of the train. that seemed clumsy. but i know nothing about fashion so i'll stop now.
Mrs. Obama looked lovely. Being out in the elements myself I'm sure she was very, very tired because I know I was. Anyway it was well worth the wait because everyone looked beautiful.
she looked radiant.all that matters is that she liked and chose the dress and her husband loves her.congratulations First Lady Obama.
WOW...rough crowd...I have 3 words...,.HE LIKED IT! When I saw the look in Mr. President's eyes as he danced with his beautiful wife I knew she'd nailed it. So let the fashionistas, harpies and shrews have their day (they would have bitched no matter what Mrs. Obama wore).
STOP HATING PEOPLE MY FIRST LADY MICHELE OBAMA WAS AWESOME
I would have loved to see her in color, unfortunately the glare of the flashes and lights washed out the details of her white gown which resulted in a "flattening" of the many details (at least in video coverage). Also, the First Lady had to keep adjusting the swaths of fabric at the back as she moved & danced so as not to step on it or allow anyone else to step on it. It made for a lot of awkward moments with her looking more encumbered than free to enjoy the ball in full. That being said, she is RADIANT, they are AMAZING and REGAL and DC LOVES THEM!!
The dress is gorgeous and Michelle is gorgeous but the combination is just not right. It looks bulky below the waist and I agree that an updo would have been divine! All in all I was disappointed but I love our new First Lady and I know this is the beginning of some great style choice coming from her because she is not afraid to take a chance!
One important distinction--my husband immediately liked the dress, whereas I immediately thought it was just okay. Maybe Michelle had a male audience (Barack) in mind! I think the dress looks much better in the photos I've seen of it online and in the newspaper than it did on tv. On tv, I couldn't see the sparkling crystals, which do give it a lot of elegance. One thing's for sure, Michelle looked comfortable, poised and elegant--as always, she wears the fashion, it does not wear her, which is the key to chic.
Who cares that she didn't dress for TV? The gown was unique, young, and elegant, and she looked and moved like a real woman in it, not some perfectly-shaped-by-silicone animatron. How do you all look and move after a day like she had, and probably a night of no sleep? I would like to see more about the earrings she was wearing - very crystal and VERY long.
I'm finally reading through the comments in closer detail. I think Mrs. O and her gown were stunning! For those who are feeling underwhelmed, I wonder what you had in mind? Well, either way, it's a good morning to be Jason Wu...
To Mrs. Y and others, we will continue to post updates as details surface about Mrs. O's accessories. The earrings were gorgeous!
Michelle's dress was beautiful. It was soft, youthful and just downright stunning. So perfect with Barack's white bowtie and shirt.
The mark of a true fashionista is controversy and Michelle does evoke controversy.
I didn't notice the earrings before. I agree with another commenter that wearing her hair up might have been a better choice for the look, but maybe not practical in the wind and travelling to 10 balls, etc.
I think the dress is beautiful, and very intimate as in its effects are designed for those who are in the room with her. For a very detailed look at it, please scroll to 27 seconds remaining in the NY Times slideshow: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/01/21/us/politics/20090121-michelle-audioss/index.html
Oh, I wished she had chosed the Ladybird or some other really cool jewel-toned number. Sigh. The dress is youthful without looking childish, and it's very pretty. Maybe it just doesn't photograph well. I just would have preferred her signature colors. But who cares?! She still looked fab, and I applaud her independence when it comes to fashion!
Well I think she showed restraint in her choice when so many of us wanted "hit them over the head drop dead glamour" so we are disappointed, LOL.
It's a dress for the times, dreamy and hopeful not dripping in excess, and she looks so happy so I'll give it a thumbs up, but it wouldn't have been my choice.
Thank you for the comparison to the Lincoln dress, how appropriate to point that out.
Yes, too bridal. Yes, the hair was haphazard.
I would have like to have seen more presidental decorum and "hail to the chief"ness than coming right out of the box and rapping with who knows who. Ok, I'm not 20 but I voted too. The Neighborhood Ball should have come later in the evening.
The day outfit was beautiful, loved it. It looked like the coat was fitted, though, to be worn closed. So it did not fit well open.
I thought Sasha's outfit was adorable, but a little too bright. She drew too much attention.
the best view of the dress (first photo)
http://zyciegwiazd.onet.pl/113147,0,fotonews_detail.html
Ikram's measurements?? So he is culprit no.1 hmmmmm The Bandage culprit has to be WU - looks like an after thought and not part of the original design.
Has Michelle's eyebrow been given a new shape, less arched? Looking gooood.
Patrycja,
That picture of the dress shows that it is stunning. But you can't see any of that gorgeous detail on tv. And I think waiting until the very last minute to pick it cause for the ill fit.
She has on a lovely dramatic day dress at the prayer service. All other women in the usual dark pants suits.
With Mrs. Obama and Mrs./Dr. Biden education's---It is wonderful to have such strong women behind the president and the vice president's decision making. We should not care much whether they are fashion icons or not... but since society has not changed that much on the way they look at women-- i guess i will comment on the dresses too. I loved Mrs. Obama day dress. The day dress was very nice for the event– and the bright color made me smile every time i saw her. Haaa– haa. Mrs./Dr. Biden looked nice on top if one did not look at those black boots.
Both ladies looked stunning in their evening gowns! And I was very touched by Mrs. Obama’s choice in designers!
As for the husbands,their attires did not look good on day time, but looked amazing in the evening too.
Love it! I do sort of wish she'd gone with a color... but the dress is still divine!
Kristan
http://jbu.phuzzymath.net/
She is a gorgeous woman and always is beautiful in what she wears. I admire her fashion sense..Now this dress...It's an "ok" dress just because I think the dress did not give justice to that beautiful body the first lady have. Nevertheless, she still is gorgeous!
The morning ensemble - loved the color, loved the design, yet it just didn't look right on her.
As for the Wu dress - Michelle - CALL. OSCAR. NOW.
It looked like the kind of dress a mother would choose for her daughter to wear to the prom (the daughter would have chosen Mirah Carey's dress).
Oscar could bring practical sense to the selection. The dress should have been hemmed - it was "puddling" on the floor. Also, Michelle was noticably and repeatedly brushing the dress back when she tried to walk in it. It was not a good selection for this occasion. Didn't someone have a clue about expectations (10 balls to attend, dance with hubby)? This is a design that looks nice on paper, but not in execution.
The color - white - not bad. One shoulder (to show off tone arms) not bad. The rest was just not good. Michelle took a chance - and missed. Again.
I really really wanted to like the gown, but it just didn't do it for me. It's just too much. Too much fabric, too much stuff. The skirt needed to be narrower and the train a simple sweep. The designer's youth shows here - the ideal of his vision won over the requirements of the event(s), a more experienced and older designer would have taken that more into consideration. And I think the long train made it look bridal. I hate the appliques.
I also think the bodice should have been a inch or so longer and a bit tighter. It's possible that Mrs. O lost a few pounds in the days leading up to the event and there was no time for alterations.
Fashion perfection? Down South we have one horrible little bridal shower game were you have 5 minutes to make a wedding gown out of a roll of toilet paper. Her gown looked like one of these creations, right down to the little t-paper flowers. Flattering? Poor darling looks like a tree trunk wrapped in a doily. Her citron suit pattern earlier in the day looked like my Italian great-grandmother's couch (under the plastic, of course.) All of this seems consistant with the "blood clot" dress the night of the election. Where on earth are the "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" guys when you need them! Please dash from those closets and save this lady. Nobody is perfect but surely she has more potential. And, Michelle, please stand up straight. You may be Sasquatch sized but stand up with pride-we don't have to hunch down for our men to look powerful.
As some said, it was something we waited for a long time. She is a beautiful woman period, damn those arms and that skin tone.
The dress - I wasn't quite sure what to think of it when i saw the pictures. I think it was probably v. pretty in person but it didn't need a train and it certainly could have been a little more form fitting for her curves. but i think one had to be there. i have not been disappointed in her overall dress choices though. she looks good overall. her makeup was too light for the occasion. she needed darker lipstick and again, i am sure close up she had some, but most people are watching her on tv. you gotta do it for the television.
so while i wasn't crazy about the dress, it still is a fun, flirty number and i guess it marks the bigger thing that has been the obama campaign motto - change! out with the old dresses in with the new. i like that she wears different styles, not the same old matronly business suits. she's definitely a diana of the U.S.
So much qriticism!! What´s wrong with you guys? She looked absolutely fabulous!!! Some people seem to allways be negative - you probably want to give the impression that you are oh so clever! Michelle, don´t listen! Just go on being your wonderful own self! You sure don´t need all this "good advice" - you have such good taste!! Love it!
Wow. Like Geof said somewhere upthread, people are really stuck in the 90s! I thought the ball dress was modern and soft, and she seemed to shed 10 years in it. Loved the color. I first saw it on tv and it looked lovely to me, and the still photos just confirmed it. I thought her hair worked well--no disrespect intended, but the updo-plus-Oscar is so tired. It would have been matronly and safe. She's not 65, people!
I agree, they should have figured out some way to hitch up the train for dancing; that was a mistake. But other than that, she looked gorgeous. And he was handsome, and they are clearly in love. Whoever felt romantic looking at the first couple before?
FYI: Ikram Goldman is a woman. (See the feature on her a few pages back in this blog.)
I LOVE this blog, by the way, Mrs. T. I'm a faithful daily reader.
After browsing a million pictures of the dress up close...it really does picture better than it looks...I sitll wish she went with color, but as one comment above said, she is still a VERY VERY beautiful woman, and President Obama totaly looked SMITTEN!!!
ps: we can all at least celebreate the fact that she has finally ditched the old tradition of Oscar De La Renta...as great a designer he is, its time to usher in the new generation of fashion, and Jason Wu is a GREAT start!!!
Sorry to say I hated both outfits. Neither of them were flattering and her choice of color was way off. The yellow dress was way over done(how many layers was that?) and the white dress looked like it was made for someone much younger(I too thought prom). I heard on the news last night comparing her fashion to Jackie O...PLEASE! There has yet to be a first lady who could come close to her fashion sense. While I do admire Mrs. O's figure, she could use some advice.
Okay, I was (and still am) on the fence about the ball gown... but WHAT ON EARTH is she wearing this morning?? Have you seen photos of the inaugural prayer at National Cathedral? Are those grapes???
Luna, you must be very young and can't remember past Barbara Bush, because Jackie Kennedy, the first Mrs. O, had fabulous fashion sense and changed the style of the American woman. Hillary Clinton's navy blue inaugural gown for Bill's inauguration with its full skirt that disguised her wider lower half was flattering to her and beautiful. Michelle Obama's was a SHREDDED BEDSHEET--what a letdown! I agree completely with TS above. Too long, ill-fitting, emphasized her big hips (never any woman's best feature), bland color, more appropriate for spring or summer if at all, and bad hair. She could have at least managed a French twist with a Swarovski crystal comb. This was the biggest night of this woman's life. Had it been me, I would have begged off early from all other events that day to make sure that I had enough time for my hairdresser and makeup person. An mere hour is sufficient for a professional and they can both work at the same time. I did as much for my own wedding--I sure would have done it for the inaugural ball. All the TV reporters this morning are just being kind and cutting her some slack, but she REALLY needs to hire someone who is more concerned about how things fit her and photograph. She has proven over and over that she has no real sense of style and I hope that all the efforts to paint her as another Jackie O will be laid to rest until she starts to show a marked improvement. Joan Rivers needs to have a frank talk with her and where is Stacey London when we need her. This ball gown looks like a Project Runway reject. Mrs. O, for now, you are OOWT! And those fashion designers of hers who care more about their own creations than how thier client looks in the rags are doing themselves no favor. It matters naught how fabulous the dress is if it looks like a shmatte on the wearer.
I think it made her look huge. No one expects her to be a skinny fashion model but her choices today were poor. If Americans can't dress her to make her look her best she should go weith Armani