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)
Oh what happened this morning?????????? A frock, as we call in this part of the world, is normally worn by very young kids. This one had no style whatsoever and looked like...oh I have no words!!!!!She should start reusing her old clothes, they are all way better than her new wardrobe. Michelle has a great sense of style, I think it is about time she chucked her new advisers and went back to her own instinct or at least her old wardrobe...please.....
here's what I am talking about...http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/ap/049a4443-9dcc-49a1-8263-db3419da1108.rp350x350.jpg....not for a first lady...no way!
ok ... lets talk about dr jill biden showing some legs and rocking those boots in the morning.
and looking gorgeous in red at night. minimal jewelry and just showing the beautiful gown in that hot body.
did i mention she's a grandma?
omg
Someone should start a blog/website called Mrs. B--Joe Biden's wife is the one worth watching with regard to fashion in this new administration. Because Barack Obabma is a beacon of hope, we wanted to find the same in Mrs. O. We were hoping to have our own Princess Di after Laura Bush's boring (but well fitted) attire. But wishing doesn't make it so and we have to face it. Mrs. O has shown that she is no different than the rest of us--we have good days and bad days and some days we look like he-l and show up in something really ugly. With all the handlers available to her, though, if she isn't smart enough to take advantage of them, then she is going to continue to look bad at least half the time. She has great arms and is tall, but she has no personal fashion sense and needs to learn to dress right for her larger lower half and very bowed legs. She either doesn't really care, which I guess is OK, though disappointing, or she thinks she knows what looks good, but is sadly mistaken.
Here's the thing--Mrs. Obama shouldn't be trying to please anyone but herself. I'm glad she dresses herself and doesn't use a stylist to create a fake image. That said, there's nothing wrong with my critiquing her outfits, most of which I think are great. She's going to have a big impact on fashion, and she knows it, so there's nothing wrong with being frank about our likes and dislikes of her look.
Okay, I don't think it's grapes but rather wisteria on her dress this morning. It's just AWFUL though!
http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20090121/i/r23387096.jpg
Mrs T, looking forward to what you can find on the earrings from last night!
http://real.us.yimg.com/p/ap/20090121/capt.3a120ab2fa8e41d5a4313f6ee57dd229.obama_inauguration_home_states_ball_dctg125.jpg
OK, enough is enough!
I just saw someone above criticizing the dress Michelle wore this morning. Look, this is going to be a long 4 years for you! You obviously have a different aesthetic than Michelle. May I humbly suggest you start a blog about Jill Biden, as Pamela Esq, suggested above? Jill is gorgeous and no doubt she will wear many things you love. And you will have a great time discussing them. I think you would be much happier doing so than coming here, to a site for people that DO appreciate Mrs. O's style and complaining that she's not wearing something easily digestible every single time and doesn't wear the First Lady uniform! So let's have two sites: one for Jill Biden and one for Michelle. Two beautiful women, very different styles. Visit the one that makes you happy and don't ruin someone else's day with your nitpicking, because I swear I cannot take much more of this.
Pammer,
sigh. You are right. There IS nothing wrong with expressing your likes and dislikes. I mean there really isn't. That's what blogs are for. So I feel bad for my last comment.
Still, I can't bear the thought of removing this beloved blog from my bookmarks, because it seems that what some people want is a certain "look" that Michelle is never going to have because she is not interested in having it. If I have to read patronizing comments about her "getting better advice" when it's quite clear she is perfectly capable of choosing her own clothes, I will just get heartburn. Hence my suggestion about having a Jill Biden site for people that are happy with her style, and one for Michelle who is much more adventurous and fashion-forward.
I was hoping it was ME, but my first thought was, oh my god? polar bear. this morning, oh my word; like her anyway
@Jenna, we're here because we LOVE Michelle's sense fashion. But that doesn't mean we have to agree with every single outfit! Part of the beauty of being over the past 8 years is that we can say what we want to, without being afraid to do it. The Obamas are all about intelligent discourse and even disagreement. That means if we hate the outfit (or love it!) we should be able to share our opinions. And you should share yours.
Take everyone else's opinion with a grain of salt... this isn't nuclear warfare, after all.
I actually like the wisteria dress. Looks fitted yet comfy, not too dressy, perfect for a morning after a glam night. BTW, there's a slideshow of the inaug fashions on huffingtonpost.com that has a closeup of the earrrings from last night. Nice.
I thought it was a lovely dress and it looked lovely on her. I wish she had worn something in a jewel tone like royal purple or green, but I can't complain too much. They are a fabulous couple who seem very much in love.
After the shock of this morning...I am glad to have found this pic from yesterday ...looks pretty good....http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/afp/20090121/capt.photo_1232551377243-1-0.jpg?x=252&y=345&q=85&sig=QpaemaODtF4ZB.TTJpACww--
Everyone please remember that this is a blog that follows the FASHION of First Lady Obama. Everyone should be able to comment and express their views on her fashion choices. I in particular loved her day outfit and thought the gown looked 'debutante' or 'juvenile' for her. Imust say I was dissapointed in her choice. But hey.. that's her choice and just my opinion of the gown. Wow! How great it is to live in America and be able to express your opinion. Ciaos
sorry about that, here's the lovely pic ....http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/afp/20090121/capt.photo_1232551377243-1-0.jpg
Michelle Obama is a stunner. And yes people are entitled to criticize...that's what makes this country so great...but geesh...it just goes to show you that you'll never make everyone happy. Sometimes people abso-fricking-loutely have no lives and just want to have something negative to say. Envy and Jealousy are real and some of you anonymous posters really do have balls of steal.
Mrs. O is 43 with two girls. I'm sure all of would kill to steal a page out of her guide to self care book.
The dress was unattractive. Did not fit properly (she needs a larger bust to carry this off) and was way too long as evidenced by her inability to not trip on it while dancing. Color did not compliment her complexion and the hair was a mess. Everyone keeps saying she's attractive...really? She has a protruding chin with an enormous underbite and a long, disproportionate face. Please stop comparing her to Jackie Kennedy...she doesn't even come close!
Mojo, Michelle is actually 45. Amazing huh? That she can be so gorgeous and young and playful at her age!
I have to join some of the other commenters above in rolling my eyes to the high heavens over people now nitpicking the (beautiful) dress she wore this morning. It's almost enough to make you laugh. I think if Michelle was here she would say:
"Yes, my friends, thank you for your suggestions. But I am not Cindy Mccain! I am well-aware that I could just wear a great black suit--I've done it before and will do again, maybe even tomorrow. But for the love of God, please let me have some fun with my clothes. Won't you please let me be more inventive? And if you don't like it, that's OK since I have a hot man, two great kids, and I'm the First Lady!"
OK, she wouldn't say the last part. But seriously, folks! I like the idea of having a Jill Biden site...
Also, to the people feeling offended on Michelle's behalf, please don't! She is very secure in herself. She can handle absolutely anything.
UGLY as usual ----- Yesterday, Today. What's up with the floral team? --- My new name for her is BIG BIRD... Can Oprah HELP A SISTER OUT? ahhhhhhhhh
OK, Love all the comments and thrilled that others keep up with Mrs. O's style as I do.
Inagural Outfit, was great except the shoes and gloves should have matched and should have been a nice saddle color.
Inagural Gown, not so great....a little long for the dancing and the siloutte was not the most flattering for her figure. But, I'm glad she chose the color and the dress showed no wrinkles.
I give her 6 months and we will all be praising and thanking her.
I'm thankful that she aleast puts in the effort - no one else has since Jackie.
I think it's because Michelle isn't perfectly beautiful or perfectly dressed--but still manages to be attractive and chic and sexy and competent--that women can identify with her and/or aspire to her self-confidence. Elegance isn't only or even mainly beauty, it's something intangible that I know I can't really describe. I think the comparison to Jackie is fair. Jackie wasn't a beauty, either--she had weirdly wide-set eyes, a round face, a goofy nose and oddly spaced teeth. Yet, she pulled off a great look that was only hers, but also inspired other women to look their best.
Funny how this site has gone from a love fest to nitpicking her face and body. How rude of you Honeybee. And you too, Pamela esq. None of us is perfect. We women know that all too well - I don't know one woman who couldn't list 10 things she hates about her face/body, but please... leave the digs to another site if you must. We want to chat about her clothes, love 'em or leave 'em. And we do love Michelle.
Okay, I'm out of here. I raved about Mrs O all day yesterday and even agreed that the white gown wasn't all that bad. I'm among those who hate the wisteria dress, however.
If that makes me a "jealous bitch" (I am anything but!) to you people, so be it. Just because I don't like ONE OUTFIT, I'm told I should stay away? That I must prefer Cindy McCain or Jill Biden? They're both okay, too, but c'mon...! Why do you all have to hate so much?!
You complain about others criticizing, and then you do the same thing. Why not just agree to disagree about a given look -- especially on a blog that's pointed out past 'misses' -- and move on? Some of us don't expect Mrs O to get it right every time. That doesn't make us jealous OR wrong. It makes us human.
wow...some people are really going way overboard....let's all take a deep breath...it is definitely okay to critisize, but when your critisism is mean spirited (or the replies to it for that matter), then we get lost in what the Obamas really mean...hope and change....and we can all agree to disagree
but on the dress this morning, I actually like it...let's remember that she was in church, and it was totally appropriate....aren't we glad that we don't have a boring first lady?!?!?
@ Chicagoan....i too would love to know about the jewels she wore last night, I thought they were beautiful!!!
Here is Michelle this morning looking beautiful in a vintage-looking dress. I guess I just can't relate to anyone who doesn't love her playfulness and her love of fashion: http://www.daylife.com/photo/0aCw0YU13u7jB/michelle_obama
and people, let's not forget that she was wearing a bullet proof vest (mandated by secret service) under the lemongrass outfit yesterday (which I LOVE) and it lookes even better when she took the top jacket off for the lunch, pictured here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/18/michelle-obamas-inaugurat_n_158916.html
and even with the vest, I actually really like it
either way, everyone take a deep breath, a fashion icon cannot please everyone
she looked lovely, and the dress was okay but not stellar. actually, in some of the pic's, with the little bits sticking out all over, it made me think of the toilet paper wedding gown contest.
hey -- but i love the fact that she wears clothes that real people might actually be able to afford. haven't we seen enough dresses that cost tens of thousands of dollars on The Red Carpet? She's the wife of the President, not a Hollywood celebrity!
You go, Mrs. O!
not that bad this gown at this photo:
http://zyciegwiazd.onet.pl/113147,0,fotonews_detail.html
Okay one more time. Ppl dont' wear last nights gown to Proms. I don't know where you live @. I've been to and seen proms in rural areas to large cities, from the 80's (my sister) to myself. f From rich schools and middle class (I moved around a lot and went to two schools senior year). I have NEVER seen last nights dress at prom. You guys would have loved the prom dresses bc they were an Older style (like Be or Maria Carey). If someone mentions Oscar again I'll puke
This must be generational (not entirely) bc everyone @ my University RAVED about the dress, it was a whole write up in the school paper. Again bc it was like NOTHING we had seen (Prof, RA, to students). It made her look so much younger w/out being age inappropriate.
This mornings dress was wow. Just wow. I don't know what ppl want her to wear. You can't have both things. Either she could advance fashion and NEW style, or she could look good (but dated). Now I do think you might see stuff like Mrs. O dress for Proms this year. But you would have never seen something like that b4.
Eventually Mrs. O's style will look dated but it will serve as a stark contrast to that Oscar style. It is just a new thing. This blog should be on the look @ to see if Mrs. O's dress influences prom (and maybe bridal) this year.
Layo G
Don't even bother w/the bullet proof vest thing. Most of these ppl don't care. I've stated it (and so have others) b4.
Patrycja, great picture of the dress! I just posted it in the new thread.
My goodness people. Some of you have obviously forgotten the fashions first ladies past have subjected us to. Please check out the Kings and Queens of the Balls slideshow in the center of the page: http://news.aol.com/main/inauguration/article/michelle-obama-dress/312064
Mrs. Obama is such a lovely woman and sooo tall. She will make a gracious and loving First Lady. Even though I loved the color and fabric, I agree that it looked bad on TV and definitely did not flatter her figure. Being picky about fit, I felt all night that the strap looked like an afterthought, because the dress seemed to be slipping on the left side. Howevr, after looking at the close-ups, it was obviously part of the design. At least she looked comfortable, except for the train. It is hard to dance with a train (ask me how I know) and she may not have realized that she would be messing with it all night. She should have gotten Peter Soronen to do a dress for her - he would have given her a waist! I know that designers sent her dresses and he was very busy working on a wedding at the time. Oh, well...she will have other chances to make up for it.
The dress is growing on me and I think it's because it is youthful and fun. In the photos where she's 'moving' the dress is gorgeous.
All I know is the woman can dress however she wants.
If she is happy with the clothes she is wearing, if they make her feel joyful and confidante then that really is all that matters.
Her style is real and approachable and quirky and her own.
and once again I have loved everything she has worn for the last few days...including the dress she wore this morning to church. That neckline looks so good on her and I am happy to see the end of the "power suit" as the only choice for a 1st lady.
Of course I sell vintage clothes, so anything with a hint of the past makes me happy.
in my opinion Jenna made a good point. And Ann! i cannot agree with you more-that is! this dress look faboulous 'moving'
This woman was on video for 17+ hours, forced to wear a bulletproof vest to the review stand, managed to dazzle at the 10th ball despite her eyes trying to swell shut while her husband woozy-tired talked slow-mo, yet they still radiated nothing but love and elegance in each other's arms. She picks dresses that are fresh models for any age that's in shape, she allows for spontaneous movement, like Michelle slaloming around that train! 17 hours with no photos of flesh mashed, popping or lumpy, and she picks her own clothing! Michelle cut her ball prep to 20 minutes for you complainers and was a dream in motion in that dress. Those who criticize her should note that the unfussy hair or jaw you criticize gave as many genuine smiles of delight and dazzling love as are people in Washington. She has brought Washington out of the dowdy-or-power-clothes dark ages. Michelle is fresh and elegant and looks like she is havng fun, which makes her as beautiful as a woman can be.
Jforgizmo, I thank you. You said it all, and so very, very well.
Having scrolled down through the comments, while pulling together my own thoughts, I get right to the very bottom to find your "missed nothing, saying everything" distillation of my own views. I am pleased to say that there is simply nothing further for me to add!
The only thing I would have added to her look would have been a black Tom Binns brooch on the shoulder. I loved her hair down and minimal make up look. Hey, she's just another mom on the go! Her whole look was very fresh and fun.
I was hoping for bold jewel tones, but this dress is fabulous. As always Michelle was goreous and sophisticated. Love her style, love her.
Hillary Clinton's inauguration dress was purple, not navy, and widely criticized - though I loved it.
I would like to have seen her hair up as well.
It reminded me of the dress bjork wore to the oscars
The dreamy white dress looked fabulous against her skin.
I've been admiring Mrs. Obama's fashions for the past couple of months, but find her choices for inauguration day to be extremely disappointing. She wore evening fabrics during the day and a giant tampon at night.
Just didn't do it for me. Looks better close up but you have to remember most view are from some distance. It looks like an old nightgown dotted with toilet paper. Didn't like the inauguration outfit either. color was just wrong- made me think of The Wizard of Oz. Certain shades can look fine to the naked eye & appear different on film. I think maybe this was one of them. Didn't like the glitter in the fabric either. She has a beauty to her. I'd like to see that highlighted with classic simplicity so we see her highlighted rather than her modelling this or that outrageous outfit which detracts from her natural look & style. Better luck next time.
I actually liked the dress EXCEPT for the shoulder strap. I think it just looked awkward and interrupted the flow of the gown and was not flattering on her. Im not a fan of traditional ball gowns in general, but as far as gowns go I dont think this one was that big of a disappointment. It was somehow subtle and intricate at the same time and complimented her gorgeous skin tone.
I the photo above where I'm guessing she's straightening the dress, she reminds me of my daughter wearing her first long party dress. She'd stand there fanning the skirt back and forth with the sweetest, proudest grin on her face--that's what I see in Mrs. O's face.
I am thinking that Mrs. O knows good and well that she's not going to please everybody (impossible!), so she might as well please her husband and herself. There are some people who will NEVER be satisfied with whatever she wears, because she doesn't look like THEY think a first lady should look (dainty, extremely conservative, and who are we kidding here, white). And while I'll admit that I didn't understand her choices at first, I now realize that I have gotten so used to looking at the same thing over and over agin, that I don't know how to react to anything different or unusual.
Fashion-wise maybe we all need to grow up a little. And also we need to get used to having a woman who was a student athlete (ever seen a bone thin SERIOUS athlete, other than those teeny gymnasts?), in front of us as a fashion icon. She is not fat, people! She is/was an athlete and she looks like it.
My last comment is that with Mrs. O on the scene, the European fashion ideal as the ONLY beauty standard will die a slow death. It's about time that someone else can be considered beautiful.