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Michelle Obama Dazzles At Inaugural Balls
by Mandi Norwood, author & Access guest blogger
It was all white on the night. After months of frenzied speculation about who and what Michelle Obama would wear on the evening of her husband's inauguration, Mrs. O chose a white confection of beaded chiffon by fledgling designer, Jason Wu.
The full-skirted ball gown with a singular shoulder strap is even prettier and fluffier than Wu's 'playful socialite' signature, which has taken an edgier turn of late.
And it's strikingly more girlie than any outfit Mrs. Obama has worn to date. Known for her simple silhouettes, bold colors and jaw-dropping choice of accessories, Mrs. O's surprising deviation is more fairytale gown than femme fatale. Which, considering the story of her husband's journey to the White House, probably makes it quite fitting.
Twenty-six-year-old Wu, who funded his fashion career by designing dolls and is a former intern of Mrs. O-design favorite, Narciso Rodriguez, maintained silence about his Inauguration prospects when I interviewed him only days ago for my forthcoming book, Michelle Obama Style Guide (out in April). Chances are, even he couldn't accurately predict Mrs. Obama would wear his design on this historic evening - her outfits for even casual events have been closely guarded secrets.
In fact, when Mrs. O first put his name in lights by appearing in a Jason Wu Collection sheath dress for a Thanksgiving Eve interview with Barbara Walters, he was as surprised as anyone. He told me, "I didn't know. I just happened to be watching the show and saw her wearing the dress. Needless to say, I was absolutely thrilled!"
Without doubt, Wu, who only launched his label three years ago, will be beyond thrilled tonight. The gown will be donated to the Smithsonian and the name of Jason Wu will go down in history. Better still, like every label Mrs. Obama has worn, whether it's hot off the runway or hot off the rack, Jason Wu will benefit from her star power through increased sales.
Mandi Norwood is the author of "Michelle Style -- What Mrs. O Knows" (Harper Collins, due April 2009)
I am not impressed with Michelle's style. She met the public yestrday is a strange looking house dress type dress. Not what you would expect the First Lady to wear. I hope someone will assist her with your clothing.
All these print dresses have to go. She should wear solids and have a new hair style.
All this gushing from the press is ridiculous.
Conparing her to Jackie Kennedy is more than ridiculous. P l e a s e.
The white confection dress was a bad choice made her look about 30 pounds heavier and 20 years older and the hair has to go. She needs a stylist to dress her she always looks to dowdy.
The first lady needs a lot of help. The white dress looked as if it were made of toilet paper! I am sure that was not a look she had intended.
"All this gushing from the press is ridiculous.
Conparing her to Jackie Kennedy is more than ridiculous.?"
Well said.