First lady's gown draws mixed reviews
From the moment President Obama became a serious presidential contender, fashion pundits have been speculating what - and, more important, who - the first lady would wear come inauguration night.
From the moment President Obama became a serious presidential contender, fashion pundits have been speculating what - and, more important, who - the first lady would wear come inauguration night.
Yet as the clock ticked toward the golden hour of 8 p.m. yesterday, when many of the inaugural balls were scheduled to start, there was no relief in sight. At least the James Gerard Orchestra began to play at the Biden Home States Inaugural Ball. But word on the street was that the Obamas would not arrive at that celebration, hosted by Vice President Biden, until after 11.
The delay of delays was a combination of factors: historically huge crowds, a Ted Kennedy seizure, and a longer-than-anticipated parade, scheduled to end at 4:30 p.m. but still going strong at 6:30.
"I can't wait to see what she wears this evening," Sally Singer, editor at Vogue, said earlier in the day. Of course, she didn't realize how long she would have to wait. No outfit, fashion experts said, had ever been this anticipated.
Terese Casey, Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey's wife, attended the Biden ball wearing a slate-blue Tadashi gown she bought new. Her youngest daughter, Marena, was wearing Vera Wang. At 8:15 p.m., Casey was disappointed she had yet to see the ball gown. "I'm dying to see what she will choose," she lamented.
In the end, the Obamas finally made their first appearance at the Neighborhood Ball - and Michelle Obama ended all speculation by wearing an ecru chiffon one-shoulder gown with a ruched bodice, fluffy appliques, and sparkly beading by designer Jason Wu, a New York-based native of Taipei.
The verdict? Mixed.
Everyone agreed the look was unexpected. But as expected, Obama broke all the first-lady rules. While Wu is known in the fashion world, he isn't a household name.
Also, the one-shoulder dress showed off her physique, but it wasn't an overall sexy look, as many had hoped. People had anticipated clean lines that would show off her curves, so the flounced gown was disappointing to some. Still, others called the dress "beautiful," and it was clear - this was like no gown any previous first lady had worn.
"I love that she chose Jason Wu," said Constance White, eBay style director. "She's educating the public about American fashion, and she's introducing new names to the American public."
Her jewelry was by Loree Rodkin, also an American designer.
Wu, White said, is known for his fairy-tale-like gowns, and Obama's dress is a signature Wu.
The ecru color continued the theme from earlier in the day, when Obama wore a gold Isabel Toledo coat and dress. Singer said yellow was a great color for the day because it signified hope and friendship.
Both designers signaled Obama would embrace the fashion world in a way that previous first ladies had not. Toledo is not a well-known designer, though she briefly worked at Anne Klein. Plus, her work is limited to a handful of independent boutiques, such as Chicago's Ikram, where Obama has been a regular customer. To wear these designers on such a momentous occasion signified to many that the public would be introduced to a new segment of the fashion industry.
Back at the Biden Ball, where many Pennsylvanians, including Gov. Rendell, were partying, "The President's Own" United States Marine Band started playing at 10 p.m., signaling the arrival of Biden and his wife, Jill. She wore a Reem Acra red strapless ball gown with a keyhole bodice - and received rave reviews.
