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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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I'm with Juanita on January 21st, 2009

Agree with you, girl…

Catherine on January 21st, 2009

I loved the suit she wore.I didn’t like Mrs. Obama gown it was too long she should have chose a different dress. One thing we have to remember we all don’t have the same taste in clothing, cars, housing, shoes ect. so lets don’t be so critical of what some one else wears. The Obama’s want to be seen as just ordinary people.If she was wearing the same dress made by a well known designer would it have been beautiful then.

susan on January 21st, 2009

Mrs. Obama’s “gown” looked more like a wedding dress than a ball gown. Way too much fabric on the train made it hard to dance in. She needs to wear bright colors not plain old white!

Jennifer on January 21st, 2009

First Lady’s dress was beautiful. But I want to know who designed VP wife, Jill Biden’s dress. That dress was GORGEOUS! she pulled the red off very well.

Lola on January 21st, 2009

Wow, so many negative comments. They are only clothes.What’s the big deal? Not EVERYONE is going to love what she wears because we are not all the same person. I was surprised by her day outfit……I loved it!! The style, color and especially the little sparkle. The shoes and matching gloves were a surprise, but I really think the color worked. She looked beautiful. At night she was just so graceful and beautiful. She could have worn anything and still looked so pretty, and the way she kept looking at her husband. Well, what a wonderful end to a fabulous day.

linda on January 21st, 2009

I know she is Barrack Obama’s wife and if we could just get back to reality for one brief moment, both of her outfits were horrible ! Her gown actually made her look pregnant from a side view and very heavy on the bottom, and she is not fat. Horrible ! She had to fight all night with that rag as it kept getting caught is her shoes. I actually felt for her .

Vicki on January 22nd, 2009

I thought the dress Mrs. Obama wore to the inauguration ceremony was beautiful. It was elegant, classy, and flattered her figure. I did not like her ball gown at all. I’m not a fan of little puffs all over a dress that is going to be worn by an adult. Also, the full skirt fitted at the waist did not flatter her figure at all.

Dawn on January 22nd, 2009

Both outfits awful! Drab and matronly. Terrible colors and out of season. I agree with Danielle – 60 carat diamond diamond earring!!!!!! Sell ‘em and feed the poor or heat a few ( thousands ) homes during the cold winter months.

Jilly on January 22nd, 2009

I thought she made a wonderful choice in both outfits. The swearing in outfit was totally appropriate and looked classy and stunning. Her ball gown looked sweet and flattering, although I think the train was problematic when having to dance at all 10 balls. She made all of us proud, carrying herself with dignity. And this coming from a McCain supporter.

Ana Mari on January 22nd, 2009

I am more concerned about the fact that Obama spent 170 million on the inauguration when our economy is in the dumps. This inauguration cost 3 times the amount that Bush’s did 4 years ago. Very alarming!!

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