Michelle Obama's Jason Wu Gown

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Jan 20th 2009 at 11:01PM

At the start of December, Jason Wu called it a "long shot" when asked if he would be designing for the inauguration. Looks like the long shot came through. Young designer Jason Wu was the designer of Michelle Obama's white inaugural gown. Like Isabel Toledo who designed inauguration outfit Michelle Obama wore earlier, Jason Wu is an American designer born elsewhere (Isabel Toledo was born in Cuba, Wu was born in Taiwan). Both also attended Parsons in New York. President Obama wore a white bow tie with his tuxedo. Mrs. Obama also wore diamond drop earrings and a diamond cuff bracelet from Loree Rodkin to match the sparkle of the beaded gown. Wu's gowns generally cost between $3,000-$6,000.

Tags: inaugural ball, inaugural gown, InauguralBall, InauguralGown, jason wu, JasonWu, michelle obama, MichelleObama

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Topperlove Jan 21st 2009 10:36AM

The Inaugural gown, with a closer fitting bodice, would have been stunning worn by someone smaller to a more appropriate event than one which required a lot of dancing. Mrs. Obama's constant tugging at the gown's train made even the graceful new President look awkward. And pairing elegant diamond jewelry with a big gaudy ring showed a lack of taste and confidence. She needs to look to the elegant Dr. Jill Biden for guidance and join her own husband in the gym.

just me Jan 21st 2009 5:29PM

What? Join her husband at the gym? She probably gets there more than he does--she looks super fit. Look at those arms--no flab there.

Granted, she is hippy, I think we called 'em "childbearing hips" in college, but she dresses well for her shape. I'm certainly a fan. I did not love the gown but think it probably looked better in person. Actually, this is the best shot I've seen of it. And I haven't really seen it on tv yet.

Earlier today MSN was showing a slide show of past First Ladies ball gowns--man, there were some doosies. Can you say Mamie Eisenhower? Mrs. Carter?

Arbitrageur Jan 21st 2009 10:47AM

Funny how nobody is appraising Michelle's jewelry with the same scrutiny and disgust as Cindy's and Laura's pieces were at the GOP convention.

http://www.vanityfair.com/online/politics/2008/09/cindy-mccains-300000-outfit.html (best part: "Shoes, designer unknown: $600")
And then the sequel, just in case the really slow ones thought that the first article wasn't a snuff piece: http://www.vanityfair.com/online/politics/2008/09/last-week-the-vanity-fair.html

Frances Foster Jan 21st 2009 1:10PM

Anyone who criticizes Michelle's gown, jewelry, etc. is just not being fair. She is an elegant, beautiful woman and her dress was perfect, as was her elegant jewelry. Yes, Jill did look elegant too, but dressed befitting a woman her age. Michelle's dress is something I would wear, if I were tall and slim like she. She could not have looked better.

Melissa Jan 22nd 2009 8:37PM

Tacky as well. The white puffs look like cotton balls Jason Wu decided to add on at the last minute.

fayebarnes Jan 22nd 2009 8:41PM

some people might have liked it,some not,but for me ,
i thought it looked liked one of those old fashioned
chennille bedspreads.really,not what i was expecting.

lo_lo Jan 23rd 2009 1:50AM

That's exactly what my mom and I thought. We were reminded of the Carol Burnette spoof on "Gone with the Wind".

Nancy Jan 23rd 2009 1:21AM

They both need fashion guidance. A first Lady shouldn't have to pick her.. dress all night in the back and she is would look better in a dress made for her height. But a President and first lady should have had someone that helps them pick out their clothes and help them with styles, don't you think?? Someone didn't do their job very well. Not everyone who becomes President has fashion sense. Just ask Jimmy Carter. He was a Peanut farmer and he and Roselyn looked great. But that's about it.

Observer Jan 23rd 2009 6:06AM

First off: she's attractive. However, that dress is so
unflattering. It borders on tacky. Her earrings hit the
Tarzanlike strap and it makes her look pregnant. She
needed a more tailored look (something sleek.) It also made her look big and gawky where a sleek gown would have made her look statuesque and regal. She also has a pretty face and her hair should have been pulled back or up. It pretty much looks like an office hair do. A red or brighter lipstick would have made her beautiful brown eyes sparkle even more.

BeanerECMO Jan 25th 2009 6:41PM

Com'on, it's a bad drape. I can believe this came from Wal-Mart.

Ella Jan 26th 2009 9:59AM

There was nothing wrong with the gown and there is nothing wrong with Mrs. O's body - yet, the two were not made for each other.

She is a large framed woman - nothing wrong with that, but being one myself, I know that some styles that I LOVE, simply do not do a thing for me. It is something somebody around the First Lady should have advised her on before the event. Then the white makes you larger anyway, so while a lovely idea - it is simply not for her.

Her inauguration outfit was great - but it could have been made utterly splendid if rather than the horrid green gloves and shoes, she would have worn a clear red. The president wore a red tie, Mrs. Biden a red coat, it would have blended in well and made that outfit of hers sing harmony throughout the event.

Keep watching!