Michelle Obama chooses white, frothy inaugural gown
Young designer Jason Wu’s fashion stock just went up big time. He designed Michelle Obama’s inaugural ball gown, a one-shouldered white, fluffy confection that oozed romance and femininity.
One-shoulder looks were all the runways for spring, and now with Obama’s pick, it’s likely they will become even more popular. Obama’s fashion choices have been well received by the fashion industry, and American women, but this is the first time she’s taken such a feminine turn. The chiffon gown featured appliques and beading, and she accented it with sparkle aplenty at the ears, fingers and wrists.
Jason Wu is a rising talent in fashion circles, but he’s not widely known. Neither is Isabel Toledo, who designed Obama’s yellow dress and matching coat ensemble for Tuesday’s inauguration. The fashion industry already is beaming from coast to coast that she’s savvy enough to recognize the talents of Wu and Toledo.
I thought the gown was beautiful, but not particularly flattering on her, especially at the waist. It was also a tad long and she was constantly fussing with it.
So, what did you think about her gown? Love it or not so much?
Is it a good fit? Weigh in on Michelle Obama’s inauguration outfit
No more speculating. Michelle Obama wore a yellow dress and matching coat for her first appearance on inauguration day.
The outfit was by Cuban-born American designer Isabel Toledo, one of her favorite designers. Speculation had been that she would steer clear of anything bling, given this country’s economic doldrums, but this ensemble had a bit of sparkle at the neckline. Finishing details were green Jimmy Choo shoes and green gloves from J. Crew.
Hamish Bowles, Vogue magazine’s European editor at large who curated the Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute exhibit on Jackie Kennedy in 2001, told the Associated Press that said he sees a resemblance in the inaugural styles between the two first ladies. “She’s off to an auspicious start,” Bowles said of Obama.
“Mrs. Obama’s choice today was appropriate, dignified and elegant but it also had a considerable element of fashion panache,” he added.
The fashion industry hopes Obama will lift the industry out of its sad state. Not only do American women relate to Obama’s more contemporary fashion choices, they like that she’s as likely to wear off-the-rack as designer. It will be interesting to see if that changes with a move into the White House.
Bowles said Obama has shown an ability to root out exciting and innovative styles in her backyard and there’s been no need for her to look at European designers. “She’s finding great American talent.”
Obama continues to mix up her looks, often choosing lesser-known designers. The fashion industry loves her bold choices.
Not everyone raved about the inauguration day ensemble, though. Stylist Robert Verdi called the color “ishy,” as in creamish, yellowish, goldish, and said it photographed sallow. Constance White, eBay’s fashion direction, liked that she’s putting American talent out front for the world to see. For the inauguration, she would have preferred to see Obama in the Narciso Rodriguez ensemble from Sunday because it was more elegant, polished and sophisticated.
So, do you like her outfit?
Tim Gunn talks Obamas, inauguration fashion and Washington style
Tim Gunn, America’s favorite fashion mentor and chief creative officer of Liz Claiborne, chatted about fashion as it relates to the Obmas, the inauguration and Washington on The NewsHour with Jim Lerher. Check it out here.
Will it be red, white and blue for Obama?
As it gets closer to the inauguration, the fashion chatter gets louder. What will Michelle wear? What about Barack?
Greg Shugar, designer and CEO of The Tie Bar, predicts that Obama will keep it classy by sporting a navy suit, a white shirt and a red tie.
“Obama will likely represent traditional American colors in a conservative fashion but with a red tie, as red is the original power color and he has worn the color for other important events such as election night,” Shugar said.
He predicts the red tie will be a rich hue, either in solid color or with subtle stripes.
While Obama has been wearing blue ties recently, Shugar believes he will likely choose red for the inauguration because it makes more of a statement and will help transmit power and show his dedication to the country and to positive change.
AP PHOTO
President-elect Barack Obama, sporting a red power tie, speaks to reporters after a meeting with his top economic advisers at his transition office in Washington, Jan. 6, 2009.
Obama knows what to wear for inauguration
With the inauguration count-down continuing and the frenzy over what designer Michelle Obama will be wearing, one can only wonder, what about President-elect Barack Obama? What will he wear?
Hart Schaffner Marx announced that the company has designed a satin notched-lapel tuxedo for the Jan. 20 inauguration.
The Chicago-based company has been designing Obama’s suits since the Democratic National Convention this past summer.
-Crystal VanZandt (fashion intern)
