And there it is, ladies and gentlewomen. A one-shouldered, white ball gown designed by Jason Wu, a 26-year old Taiwanese-American whose first collection debuted not even three years ago.
Amazing.
(And in case you need a Jason Wu refresher, check out some shots from his Spring 09 show.)
posted by fauvism3
Jan 20, 2009 9:20PM
Not a fan at all. I want to snip off the asymmetrical shoulder and leave it strapless. The applique flowers are annoying and I can't believe she chose white....this is not a vow renewal. But to each her own...
Jason will become a household name, but I don't see his line flying off the racks at Bergdorf because of this. The price point is too high, and those who can afford it do not let Michelle Obama dictate their shopping habits. HOWEVER, we now have a front runner for the next Target collection....
posted by guest
Jan 20, 2009 9:31PM
She picks the most random of dresses. Is that what she's trying to do? Keep people guessing? Its narciso, Isabel toldeo, zero maria cornejo...and jason wu. what is the thread? is there none? i'm so perplexed! and how cute were they dancing together? white dress, tux...was sort of like a wedding no? i love them! go obama!
posted by guest
Jan 20, 2009 9:32PM
She picks the most random of dresses. Is that what she's trying to do? Keep people guessing? Its narciso, Isabel toldeo, zero maria cornejo...and jason wu. what is the thread? is there none? i'm so perplexed! and how cute were they dancing together? white dress, tux...was sort of like a wedding no? i love them! go obama!
posted by guest
Jan 20, 2009 9:51PM
It's nice and all but really, WHITE? It's the inauguration for fuck's sake. You get two, at the most, and you wear something that looks like what Jennifer Aniston would wear to Cannes?
I mean, it's fine but seriously, she looks amazing in color and I just don't think it's formal enough.
posted by fashionursta
Jan 20, 2009 10:24PM
It's absolutely gorgeous against her skin tone. And look at her arms- in great shape. But I have to share that I called it last week. I told my husband that she would wear a one shouldered gown because it would really highlight her strong shoulders and arms. She looks amazing!
posted by guest
Jan 20, 2009 10:59PM
Wuhoo! Really can anyone go wrong in white? Adore it! Plus an appropriate and traditional choice considering the venue... and this is DC.
A MUCH better decision than that lemongrass sparkle number- so not right for day with a matching brocade jacket cut from my grandmother's drapes.
My only question is, will Michelle ever wear Chanel?
posted by guest
Jan 20, 2009 11:06PM
Wonderful, that dress looked lovely on her. Perfect.
- Amanda
http://laceandtea.blogspot.com
posted by guest
Jan 20, 2009 11:16PM
i love the dress. sure it looks a bit wedding-y but hey, this day was probably just as important as her wedding so why not?
i do think the dress may have worked better for this night in a navy, red, or magenta variation but you cant deny, it IS a gorgeous gown and she wears it well.
posted by guest
Jan 21, 2009 12:30AM
She looks amazing. I love how feminine she is, just she has this incredible presence and strength. She carries off this gown amazingly. I also like the sense that she didn't decide on a designer first, but wore what she found and liked. Again, Michelle has the presence to carry off this gown. She looks amazing and carries herself well.
posted by la petite fashionista
Jan 21, 2009 12:38AM
she looks beautiful! she is brining national attention to the fashion industry and relatively unknown designers (at least unknown to the masses!)
good for her:)
posted by mlfavata
Jan 21, 2009 12:40AM
I liked the Isabel Toledo dress and coat she wore this morning, but, I have to be honest, I didn't love the Jason Wu gown. I was expecting her to wear something more striking and powerful. That dress was a bit too flouncy for me.
Nonetheless, she looked lovely and they looked beautiful together.
Maria
www.carinanewyork.com
posted by amandabug
Jan 21, 2009 12:44AM
michelle obama = NOT a soccer mom, not even remotely.
i think she's done a wonderful and deliberate job using minority young designers. that said, i don't love the dress on her but i don't hate it either; at least she went for a younger style than i thought she'd go for. i do think the color was unfortunate but at least she's not wearing black or navy. her skin would look so wonderful in bright colors like fuschia, chartreuse, purple, etc. -- pretty much the colors she dresses malia and sasha in for the inauguration!
posted by guest
Jan 21, 2009 12:57AM
I agree that Michelle looked fabulous in the Jason Wu.
However...she could have made a better choice. It was a little too frou-frou for the occasion and you could tell it was getting annoying for her because she had to adjust it everytime she danced! Something more sleek and powerful, much like Mrs. Obama herself, would have been more suitable. It's great that she is supporting little-known designers who can't necessarily afford advertising that Oscar de la Renta or Ralph Lauren can.
Michelle is a very fashionable first lady, though Jackie Kennedy is still the most glamorous.
Also, Jill Biden looked quite lovely in her red Reem Acra...she's 57! And Malia and Sasha looked perfect!
posted by vier
Jan 21, 2009 1:26AM
Can you guys not see what the dress is doing to her!!! the strap is too short and too thick, the bodice is too short, and the skirt is too high on her! It is making her looking fat. She has a great body and that dress is doing nothing for her. Please open your eyes and see that yes pretty dress but not good on her. A long column dress would have been much better.
posted by guest
Jan 21, 2009 1:57AM
I really liked the Isabel Toledo. This isn't bad, but I agree with those who would have preferred seeing her in color.
Still so glad that she's giving a lot of smaller designers without huge PR budgets publicity. It's certainly not the most important of issues, but at a time when fashion is struggling, how cool is it that she can generate a level of interest in a young designer that's on par with a showing at fashion week?
Fashion isn't going to cure cancer, but that someone so accomplished in other areas shows an interest is great.
posted by guest
Jan 21, 2009 2:12AM
hi !!
i really love this blogs and all your posts !!! by the way i also have a blog and i think you guys would like it too, actually i added your blog on my favorite blogs/websites’ list !!
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bizzz
ps: the dress was really cute for her !!!
posted by guest
Jan 21, 2009 3:49AM
Personally, I wanted to see her in Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein at the inauguration ball. Oh well, the Jason Wu and Isabel Toledo were fantastic, sophisticated and entirely appropriate.
As for her taste, it is unexpected, dramatic, eclectic and I love it. She is keeping us guessing because she wears what she wants and nothing else. I think she is a wonderful example for all women who want to wear what they like, which isn't always what is most fashionable or trendy or even flattering, but you still love it. Michelle, good luck to you! Take care of your girls, hopefully they will turn out as strong and independent as you are!
posted by guest
Jan 21, 2009 7:46AM
guys, calm down about these minority designers. do you honestly think that people who watch this are going to rush out into the streets thinking michelle obama chooses minority designers so i will too! no. never. we, those who follow fashion, are really the only ones who know these things and comprise what, 5% of the population?
that said, i like how proud obama looks while he's dancing with her. she looked decent but could've gone for something slightly more slimming around the waist and hips.
posted by guest
Jan 21, 2009 9:16AM
To all those who say she's kept us guessing with her choices, um, she's worn Jason Wu before. She wore one of his dresses during a Barbara Walters interview. When WWD asked designers to sketch creations for her, it was noted by another publication that her favorites (Thakoon, Maria Pinto, and JASON WU) were left out. This was not a surprise in the least that she chose him. I love that she's choosing up-and-coming designers.
That being said, I think she looked amazing. The white wasn't my favorite but all in all she looked fantastic and happy.
And would people stop harping on how her hips or her body looks in clothing? It's getting ridiculous at this point. No one ever pointed that out when Sarah Palin or Cindy McCain were discussed.
posted by guest
Jan 21, 2009 9:28AM
@30 - amen!
The lines of the top of the dress were very nice on her, but the rest of it made her look pregnant. It was not at all a flattering waist/skirt on her body. She should have gone with a more sleek and simple skirt. I couldn't get past the unflattering bottom half of the dress to deal with the color.
posted by guest
Jan 21, 2009 10:20AM
I am confused that people didn't think the color was appropriate. It was very classic winter white. I thought she looked sophisticated and beautiful, and showed her own unique style. I do get a lot of the suggestions about the waist/skirt--but people, this is Washington. You can't go with sleek--it would be too much for the city.
posted by stephyfigz
Jan 21, 2009 12:02PM
i also find it curious that people are criticizing the color of the dress when white has been a traditional color choice for the inaugural ball. jackie kennedy, nancy reagan, mary todd lincoln even! and the white only made her rich skin tone look richer.
and in response to #29, this is a fashion blog. yes we're concerned with world affairs, but the original post was about the dress. what did you think fashionista would be posting about after the inauguration ball...the future of the economic bailout plan? get a grip.
posted by guest
Jan 21, 2009 12:58PM
i don't mind the color, but i think the combo of the white with that material and girly cut somehow made it more of a drab white and less of a striking white.
i feel like ever since she came on the national/public scene, michelle has projected an image of strength, sophistication and womanliness. i think the dress doesn't fit with that persona and it just plain out confused me to see that choice. not hate or dislike, but just confusion and wonder.
posted by guest
Jan 21, 2009 3:57PM
She looked GREAT! My mouth was open a little bit when I saw her. She usually goes for very bold, striking colors. But I think the white was perfect and the style of the dress wasn't too crazy. Like #40 said, white is a traditional Inaugural gown color! Learn a little history folks.
posted by guest
Jan 21, 2009 11:45PM
Him and her were absolutely smashing! Her dress is gorgeous. and did you check out his threads? The White House just got fashionable. Its about time!
http://edopeno.com/2009/01/21/president-obama-able-to-stop-bullets-like-superman/
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posted by guest
Jan 20, 2009 9:04PM
It is absolutely gorgeous! Congratulations, Jason! You are now a household name.