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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

Elda on

Even though i wanted McCain to win so bad, something tells me things are going to get better.

crystal5 on

SHE IS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL LADY AND SHE LOOKES GREAT IN ALL OF HER OUTFITS….SIMPLY STUNNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lisa on

I thought our new First Lady looked magnificent in all of her outfits! As for our tax dollars Mrs. Obama paid for all of her clothes with her own money.

connie on

The inaugural gown looked like an old bedspread. I was very disappointed. She looked very uncomfortable wearing it and it doesn’t look like her style at all. The children looked wonderful however.

ME on

Elda: You wanted McCain to win so bad??? You are very smart… NOT. Plain weird. Anyone who picks SARAH PALIN as a running mate is NOT qualified to be President. Period. And people like you who support him, should NOT be allowed to vote.

Now, about the outfits, I am not a fan at all of the green one, but the white dress she wore to the ball was beautiful.

Dawn on

She looks horriable.. Lets hope her “husband” can make a diffrence like he says…

JenJen on

I don’t know – I think she missed the mark. She’s got potential but this dress did nothing for her figure. The only “hope” that inspires me, is that she’ll learn over the next four years.

k.t on

Are some of you, slow or what? I know you don’t do your homework because if you did. You would know that before we had any idea who the Obama’s was. Broke, they was not. They had money before Tuesday. Harvard and Princeton Grads. Educated, Wealthy, and Kind hearted. Favor they have had for years. If you know what favor means? Leave these people alone. Do you really think they give a care about what some of us think anyway? I know I would not, if I had a beautiful family like they have. Stop knocking these people and learn by example. I wish I had just 10% OF THERE EDUCATION AND MAYBE I WOULD BE A LITTLE BETTER OFF.

JenJen on

k.t – maybe if you had 1% of the education they had you would have some grammar and punctuation skills. Ouch! Don’t forget that you are on people.com and they expect to hear what we all thought of Mrs. Obama’s gown. Talk about slow…

Gail on

To all of you who think Mrs. Obama is attractive, please take off your rose colored glasses. Her style choices are horrible. I think she has terrible taste. The white gown looked like a cheap bedspread. And please quit insulting Mrs. J. Kennedy by saying Mrs. Obama is comparable. Mrs. J. Kennedy must be turning over in her grave by this reference.

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