The giddy anticipation of soon-to-be President Barack Obama being sworn into office is undeniable. What will he say during his inaugural address? Who will be there to celebrate the historic occasion? And what will future First Lady Michelle Obama wear? These seem to be the big buzz questions. In light of these stressful and uncertain times, some may condemn the American public for its passionate curiosity about what dress Michelle wears as light minded and superficial. But, maybe these tough times are the reasons we do care. Taking note and actually seizing pleasure in this fashion discussion is not only an escape from more serious life matters, but it also is an opportunity to observe and experience a visual representation that embodies the message of change, hope and confidence. And we thought we had a hard time finding something to wear!!!
So, on that note, here is an opportunity to create the ideal formal dress for soon-to-be First Lady Michelle Obama so she will authentically stand out at the Inaugural Ball. Since President-elect Barack Obama wanted to have his Inaugural events be all inclusive including the Ball, it is sure to be the lollapalooza of Inaugurations to date! A glamfest which includes celebrities, Washington insiders, and everyday average American guests engaging with one another. Beyonce Knowles is scheduled to sing the Etta James classic “At Last” for the infamous first dance and all eyes will be on the President and Mrs. Obama.
Here’s your chance to dress Michelle Obama for the Inaugural Ball. Below are some inspirational options from talented American designers to consider:
Which type of bodice and neckline details do you think would best flatter Michelle?
ASYMMETICAL: ONE-SHOULDER
Carolina Herrera – R09 – Style – Don Ashby
Monique Lhuillier – PF09 – Style
Monique Lhuillier – S09 – Style – Marcio Madeira
Monique Lhuillier – S09 – Style – Marcio Madeira, top left to bottom right
SYMMETICAL: HALTER
Badgley Mischka – R09 – Style – Don Ashby
Jason Wu – FW08 – Style – Marcio Madeira, respectively
PORTRAIT, COWL, ILLUSION, PLUNGING VNECK, BEJEWELED, or BATEAU
Barbara Tfank – FW08 – Style
Michael Kors – FW08 – Style – Marcio Madeira
J.Mendel – PF09 – Style – Kevin Sturman
Monique Lhuillier – FW08 – Style
Monique Lhuillier – S09 – Style – Marcio Madeira
Barbara Tfank – S09 – Style – Marcio Madeira, top left to bottom right
Should Michelle’s dress have sleeves?
SLEEVELESS, THICK STRAPS, PEEK-A-BOO, CAP, SHORT, SHEER, or LONG
Monique Lhuillier – FW08 – Style – Marcio Madeira
Lela Rose – FW08 – Style – Marcio Madeira
J. Mendel – FW08 – Style – Marcio Madeira
Chado Ralph Rucci – FW08 – Style – Marcio Madeira, top left to bottom right
Michelle tends to favor more body conscious silhouettes. Do you think a form fitting, looser sheath or something in-between would look best?
Oscar de la Renta – PF09 – Style – Don Ashby
J. Mendel – PF09 – Style – Kevin Sturman
Reem Acra – PR09 – Style, respectively
If a more form fitted design was selected, then should it have a simple cut or should it include other distinguishing features?
Badgley Mischka – PF09 – Style – Kevin Sturman
Carolina Herrera – S09 – Style – Marcio Madeira
Oscar de la Renta – PF09 – Style – Don Ashby, respectively
What specific types of accents and details would you like to see Michelle’s dress to include?
ACCORDIAN PLEATS, RUFFLES, BEADS, CRYSTALS, SEQUINS or other APPLIQUES
Calvin Klein – FW08 – Style – Marcio Madeira
Badgley Mischka – PF09 – Style – Kevin Sturman
Badgley Mischka – R09 – Style – Don Ashby
Oscar de la Renta – FW08 – Style – Marcio Madeira
Chado Ralph Rucci – FW08 – Style – Marcio Madeira, top left to bottom right
Michelle is almost 6 feet tall and has an athletic frame. Do you think her dress should have more emphasis on:
THE TOP
Luca Luca – S09 – Style – Marcio Madeira
Michael Kors – FW08 – Style – Marcio Madeira, respectively
THE BOTTOM
Monique Lhuillier – PF09 – Style
or BOTH
Oscar de la Renta – S09 – Style – Marcio Madeira
Should Michelle’s dress have a PRINT?
Oscar de la Renta – PF09 – Style – Don Ashby
Jason Wu – FW08 – Style – Marcio Madeira
Jason Wu – FW08 – Style – Marcio Madeira, respectively
What COLOR do you think best suits Michelle and the special occasion?
J. Mendel – FW08 – Style – Marcio Madeira
Badgley Mischka – R09 – Style – Don Ashby
Chado Ralph Rucci – FW08 – Style – Marcio Madeira
J. Mendel – FW08 – Style – Marcio Madeira
Jason Wu – S09 – Style – Marcio Madeira, top left to bottom right
What about RED, WHITE or BLUE?
Carolina Herrera – S09 – Style – Marcio Madeira
Monique Lhuillier – PF09 – Style
Carolina Herrera – S09 – Style – Marcio Madeira, respectively
Could classic BLACK or METALLIC work?
J. Mendel – FW08 – Style – Marcio Madeira
Michael Kors – FW08 – Style – Marcio Madeira, respectively
Would you ever consider incorporating more than one color?
Jason Wu – FW08 – Style – Marcio Madeira
Oscar de la Renta – S09 – Style – Marcio Madeira
J. Mendel – PF09 – Style – Kevin Sturman, respectively
Although it is to be expected that soon-to-be First Lady Michelle Obama has already selected her custom designed dress for the Inaugural Ball, Moore On Style thought it might be fun for readers to participate in the creative design process and perhaps her dress may even incorporate some of your ideas. You may also have gotten a better understanding at the pleasurable yet challenging process of selecting a formal gown, especially when all eyes are on you. In any case, January 20th 2009 stands to be a monumental and historic event for the United States of America, its citizens and the Obama’s. We will not have to speculate much longer and whatever Michelle chooses to wear she will undoubtedly exude confidence.
Come on fashionistas, express yourselves! What did you decide would be the best options for Michelle Obama to wear to the upcoming Inaugural Ball? A few designers have started reading Corporate Fashionista posts and we would like to give them your honest feedback about what you find compelling (or not so hot, depending?) about current styles, where and how you wear them, and how you feel in them.
I feel so bad for Michelle and her stylists. That was sooooo many options. My vote – Oscar de la Renta – PF09 – Style – Don Ashby. Great fit, brilliant blue, and quite frankly – after scrolling up and down 3 times, I finally just had to close my eyes and point. 😉 I love that she’s our new Barbie. Go Michelle! Go Barak! Go Obamas!!
Wow! Bravo for this post! I scrolled through, but this is going to take more time, back later!
Ok I’m back. I think Michele looks great in clean lines and solid colors. So my first choice is Jason Wu – FW08 – Style – Marcio Madeira. My husband (yes I had him look) immediately went forOscar de la Renta – PF09 – Style – Don Ashby just like Alison above. I like a couple of the clean lined red dresses as well!
I hope she does strapless, sexy but elegant at the same time!
Cathy – Thank you for your comments! There has been a correction made to the attribution of the green dress that you liked so much. It was designed by the talented Reem Acra ( http://www.reemacra.com/ ) for her Pre-Fall 2009 Collection. It is great that you are thinking ahead of the curve. It was also so wonderful to hear that your husband got involved! So many people have opinions about fashion but don’t feel entitled to share them. This is a shame because we all then miss out on valuable feedback and opinions. It is great that he didn’t get caught up in that.
My vote is for the ASYMMETICAL: ONE-SHOULDER………oh, and no prints for our first lady!!!! Thanks for chance to ‘play’!!!!
There are so many beautiful dresses to choose from! I have two favorites. 1 – Reem Acra – PF09 – Style under the SYMMETICAL: HALTER section, but I think that would look better on me than Michele. 2 – For Michelle I would choose Reem Acra – PF09 – Style that is displayed just under the Emphasis the TOP section. Both have amazing bead work. However, she always seems to look great no matter what she is wearing.
I think our first lady looked great and confident in her white gown and it was obvious that our new President thought she looked beautiful on his arm. This is going to be such fun watching Michelle and her daughters and lighten up the load placed on their new positions. Thanks for keeping us up to date.
What wonderful options that you offer. While I think that Michelle looked great at all 3 of the recent functions, there are a few of the options that you cited that may have been better choices. It’s good to see what could have been. Keep them coming.
I didn’t love the white gown she wore. I think she looks better in clean lines and solid colors. I would have liked to see her in the Oscar de la Renta, PF09.
I like the one-shoulder look of S09!
I really adore the over the shoulder design of
Monique Lhuillier – S09 – Style – Marcio Madeira.
The gold detail across the the chest really brings out the elegance of this fabulous design. I look forward to seeing more from you.