Michelle Obama took center stage at ten inaugural balls last night wearing a custom designed, elaborate, one-shoulder, floor length ivory chiffon Jason Wu gown, which was embellished with white swirl details. She and the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama were a sight to behold in their formal wear, as evidenced by the above photo.
The 26 year old design was born in Taiwan and learned to sew at age nine by making doll clothes. He graduated from high school in Paris and enrolled in Parsons: The New School for Design and interned with Narciso Rodriguez. Wu’s first full collection debuted in 2006. He won the Fashion Group International Rising Star award in 2008.
Wu was not aware that the First Lady would be wearing his creation. He admitted to being awe-struck when he watched the television coverage and realized that Michelle Obama had chosen his dress for the inaugural balls.
Michelle wore her first Wu design during a November interview with Barbara Walters. She chose a creation by Isabel Toledo for Barack Obama’s swearing in ceremony earlier in the day. See those photos here.
More photos below, including Sasha Obama and Malia Obama wearing J. Crew.