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The Scoop on Michelle Obama’s Inaugural Gown and Jewels

01/21/2009 at 01:37 PM ET

Reuters /Landov

Designers from Kai Milla, Marc Bouwer, Reem Acra (who dressed Jill Biden for the big night) and Isabel Toledo, whom she wore to the Inauguration, all sketched potential options for the new First Lady, and the fashion world waited to see her choice with bated breath. Turns out that Michelle chose a one-shouldered silk chiffon Jason Wu number covered in organza flowers and Swarovski cyrstals — and no one was more surprised than the designer himself, who learned of Michelle’s choice with the rest of the world. “I was in awe when I saw her. I was emotional, I was amazed,” Wu tells PEOPLE. The N.Y.C.-based 26-year-old designer, who along with four friends sewed the countless number of flowers onto the dress by hand, says “I wanted the dress to reflect hope, fantasy, a dream [because] this is a pretty surreal moment we’re living in.” As for the color, Wu told Meredith Veira on the Today Show, “I wanted to design a gown that would highlight her best features.” To accent the feminine gown, Michelle chose diamonds from Loree Rodkin, who says “The First Lady is a symbol of hope, courage and great style. Words can not describe the emotions I feel that Michelle Obama has allowed me to be a part of this glorious moment.” From her line, Michelle chose 60-carat white gold and triple rose cut diamond drop earrings, a 10 carat center stone white gold and black rhodium rose cut diamond ring and white gold and diamond bangles, which will become part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Museum. Check out all of Michelle’s stylish choices from the historic weekend.

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Showing 115 comments

Bee on

Her outfit at the inaugaration was hideous as was her dress for the inagural balls in additionher daughters looked not very good to.

jlo on

All of it is bad – the off the shoulder style works for her, but the rest of it is to frou-frou for this type of event. She needs a stylist!

hmd011 on

The dress is gorgeous…but not on her. She should haave chosen something that was better suited for her. And I agree, her inaugural outfit was terrible. Something patriotic would have been more appropriate.

MARCELA on

MRS OBAMA WHAT A STUNNING AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN. SHE MADA A GOOD DECISION AND THE GOWNS A LOVED HER LOOK FOR THE DAY I WISH THAT I WAS THERE TO ENJOY THE MOMENT GOD BLEES THE OBAMA FAMILY ON THERE NEW JOURNEY. LOVE YA

anita ford on

I feel as if First Lady Obama is a loving person. It would be nice to meet her. As for her sense of style, she looked very elegant and sophisticated during the inauguration ceremonies.
I hate that she chose to wear diamonds. There are so many young African children who lose their lives working in those rotten diamond mines in South Africa everyday. Their families have to slave them out for only peanuts.
I hope she will consider wearing man made stones in the feature. They are just as lovely!!!

coz on

Wrong choice of gown. The cut is not fit for a First Lady and not elegant at all. It looked like a straight-cut duster with floral beads. It was a big downer. :(
I’ve always adored the late Princess Diana’s sense of fashion. Like with this gown:
http://img297.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dianagowngh5.jpg
This has no crystals/beadworks but the style is simple yet very elegant.

RM on

Leave the woman alone – that one would attack her looks – I mean really, what are you in – grade school? Take a good look in your mirror, I’m sure you’re not without flaws. She has a husband that obviously adores, respects and loves the way she looks – I hope for all your sake you find the same fortune in your dreary lives….

Shari on

Gee our First Lady isn’t a size zero or a 1 so therefore she’s an amazon. Thank God she’s looks like a normal person not some anorexic waif. What business is it of anyone what she chooses to wear anymore than it’s my business what any of you wear. She looked beautiful and that’s all that matters. She doesn’t need a stylist she does just fine all on her own and wears many articles of clothing that we could afford to buy ourselves without breaking the bank. So cut her some slack and find something worthwhile to gripe about!

Cheryl on

She usually dresses so chic. I thought this dress was not up to her usual standards. She could have done much better.

JMO on

I think she looked absolutely Dowdy’ She is NO Jackie O’ , She has no Sense of Style.. And just an FYI , If Obama truly closes Guantanamo and no one else takes them and they get sent to our U.S Prisons , Guess what they get … The same rights as us Americans !!! Be Careful What You Wish For !!!!

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