Inaugural Ball Gowns from Jackie Kennedy to Michelle Obama
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Video- President Obama & First Lady Michelle Obama at Neighbourhood Inaugural Ball
(Update 1: January 20 2009 - First Lady Michelle Obama is wearing a cream-colored one-shoulder dress by jason Wu with a fitted bodice and flared skirt for the inaugural balls. For the swearing in, she wore a champagne yellow ensemble by Isabel Toledo.)
Just so we're clear, this picture of Michelle Obama is not the one where she's wearing an inaugural gown. But just look at her. Have you ever seen a radiance like this on Laura Bush or Hillary Clinton or barbara Bush or Nancy Reagan or any other First Lady? (except for Jackie Kennedy, but that's another story...). Those shoulders and that neck and the radiant smile which lights up the room - She looks like a regal queen in waiting.
And she is a Queen. Come January 20 2009, Michelle Obama is going to be one of the star attractions in Washington. She's going to be on the cover of TIME and Newsweek. And on the cover of every fashion magazine, the tabloids, and every women's magazine from here to Timbuktu. But that's after the inaugural balls, when we've got photos and videos of First Lady Michelle Obama wearing her inaugural gown. As of now, all we have is speculation about what she's going to wear.
But I can tell you what she's been wearing up until now - Maria Pinto. Pinto is a Chicago based designer with a shop in Chicago and retailed by Saks Fifth Avenue, Barneys New York, and Takashimaya New York. In fact, one of Michelle Obama's favorite restaurants in Chicago is Sepia, which just happens to be located near Maria Pinto's shop. So whether ot not the First Lady wears a Pinto dress or not for the inaugural balls, you can bet your boots that Pinto knows exactly what her most famous client is going to wear on Jan 20.
And then, for added measure, let's also take a look at what former first ladies wore for their inaugurations.
And in case you think I'm just talking off the top of my hat, think again. I took the New York Times' First Lady Fashion Quiz, and I scored 12 out of 15 (as you can see in the image to the right). The NYT says I should be teaching fashion at F.I.T. I wouldn't mind that, but the New York fashionistas in the Meatpacking District might end up putting out a contract on me, when they see the designs that my students end up producing.
Anyway, listed below are details about the inaugural ball gowns of all the first ladies, with pictures and videos, from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis to Hillary Rodham Clinton to Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama.
Michelle Obama - 2009 - Jason Wu
Laura Bush - 2001 - Michael Faircloth; 2005 - Oscar de la Renta
Hillary Clinton - 1993 - Sarah Philllips; 1997 - Oscar de la Renta
Barbara Bush - 1989 - Arnold Scaasi
Nancy Reagan - 1981 & 1985 - James Galanos
Rosalynn Carter - 1977 - Mary Matise for Jimmae
Pat Nixon - 1969 - Karen Stark for Harvey Berin; 1973 - Adele Simpson
Lady Bird Johnson - 1965 - John Moore
Jacqueline Kennedy - 1961 - Self-designed, made by Bergdorf Goodman's Ethel Frankau.
And since these names might not mean much to you, here's a few fun facts about these designers and their inaugural masterpieces. Laura Bush's first designer - Michael Faircloth, was until then better known for outfitting the Dallas Cowboys' cheerleaders with French-cut leotards and micro-minis. Dare say Laura Bush would have looked smashing in one of those, but that is one fantasy which isn't about to be fulfilled.
Arnold Scaasi, who made Barbara Bush's gown, was already famed for being the go-to fashion guy for former First Ladies like Mamie Eisenhower and Jackie Kennedy. And he continued this tradition after Barbara Bush by snagging her daughter-in-law Laura Bush and her predecessor in the White House - Hillary Clinton.
Considering all that, Oscar de la Renta, whose creations were worn by Michelle Obama's last two predecessors Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton, stands a pretty good chance of being chosen again.
You'll find here sketches of all the gown designs that have been submitted by famous designers from all over the world for Michelle Obama's consideration. Which one she has chosen is as yet a mystery. No matter which one she chooses, she will definitely light up the 10 official balls which are to be held on Jan 20, including the Youth Inaugural Ball at one of the finest hotels in Washington DC, the Washington Hilton. And 6 other balls at the Washington Convention Center, and one each at Union Station, the DC Armory, and the National Building Museum.
Michelle Obama DNC photo by Mike Baird via flickr (creative commons). Michelle Obama photo in Maria Pinto outfit copyrights - Maria Pinto.
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You're entitled to your opinion. And that's the best I can say in your favor.
It has been awhile since we have had a first lady with any style. It is a real plus that she is so simple and down to earth as well.
That's right, Ashley. Michelle Obama will definitely be a refereshing change after 8 years of Hillary Clinton and 8 years of Laura Bush.
I really liked your article and enjoyed the truth coming from someone who has an intelligent insight into reality. Michelle Obama is a strong sophisticated black woman of both class and style. Along side her husband who is also her equal. They say behind every strong man is a stronger woman. This is so true of this couple. They complete each other.
Very true. Barack Obama wouldn't be what he is today without Michelle by his side.
Michelle is definately radiant!! An overbite has nothing to do with radiance. May we continue to pray for those with incurable ignorance.
I admire Michelle Obama and im sure whatever she wears will be radiant. Nice hub.
I think what you see as a dental maloculsion in Mrs. Obama is a severe underbite that is further prominent due to very oversized teeth that are crowding her mouth. It is a shame that she didn't have this corrected, as it is not only unattractive, but will likely cause problems at some point, such as headaches stemming from TMJ syndrome.
She has teeth so large that she annot even close her mouth properly! Also, huge skeletal bone structure. She would do well to avoid exposing her very large knees as well as anything too clingly for reason that need no statement.
A littel too unusual to be onsidered a fashion icon body wise
RHINESTONES during the daytime in open daylight???? Where were her advisors?
Name one public figure that would have made such a fashion faux pas!
Mismatched accessories too.
This woman is no fashion plate
Wow, this was fast! I've had the entire proceeds on all day long - and was moved by the inauguration speech.
For the first time since I can remember, I am proud of, and inspired by the leader of this country. First the first time in a long time, I do not want to leave this country...
Amen to that, Walker. Wish the Obamas luck and good fortune in their new home. They're going to need it.
What is the matter with you people? Size of teeth? Post some pictures of yourselves and let everyone have a go at what they perceive as your flaws! How shallow and mean-spirited.
2 thumbs up for Michele and Barack.
She is the ugliest first lady ever. Obama is prettier.
Your comments in the second paragraph make it clear that you have had too much koolaide....to say that Michelle Obama is MORE radiant than any other of her preceding first ladies is certainly not objective. But you did get it right, the swearing in dress did make her appear as a QUEEN, wearing something the old queen mum would wear, garish and matronly, with the shoes and matching gloves in a lovely shade of puke green. Her daughters upstaged her and were better dressed. The ball gown....looks like some old rags, really ugly. Laura Bush had better taste (a more lovely woman with a more beautiful spirit to boot.)
Bashing the wives of former Republican presidents.....it's getting old. By the way, this is a democracy....we don't have queens or kings in this country.
I won't deny that I'm an Obama fan, but I have nothing against Republican First Ladies. In fact, I think Laura Bush is a beautiful and smart woman. But my personal opinion, for whatever it's worth, is that fashion is more about being able to carry it off, rather than the perfection of your designer outfit, or the size of your teeth. Jackie Kennedy and Princess Diana both had that ability. They made clothes look good. And so does Michelle Obama.
Legalize Weed Obama!
This is why you shouldn't smoke pot and then post comments on hubpages. It becomes so easy to go from inaugural ball gowns to legalizing marijuana.
We must understand that is history in the making in that the history books will be a good read now...
I think Hillary and Laura both dress beautifully, and Michelle O does too. Jackie O had the fashion sense and the figure of a model. Not everyone has that. But I think all of our first ladies have dressed beautifully. I am not a Democrat, but I think Hillary looks prettier every year. Her hair always looks gorgeous. She is much prettier than Monica L was!
Good job peeling, I agree that Michelle is a radiant woman. And about her teeth: she may not have perfect teeth but I'm sure teeth isnt criteria for being the wife of the president of the United States of America.
For those who made rude and critical remarks about Michelle, I have a question:
In Judeo-Christian and Muslim traditions, the day at the end of the world when God judges the moral worth of individual humans or the whole human race,
What will you be wearing when you are sworn in?
I'm pretty sure teeth don't figure in the criteria for being a First Lady, but whatever criteria there might be, are apparently all present in Michelle Obama, because she is, like it or not, the First Lady.
The question asked, about the choice in attire of Michelle Obama, not in her policies of government. Mrs. Ninasmith your comment sound as if you were typing mad, full of sarcasm and cynicism. Well, if the people dealt with 8 years of a President who was fifth in his class from the bottom, and who sent our love ones to war for a cause that still to this day has gone unseen, than we take four years of someone who wants a change and who offers hope. All women, rather all humans have something that is imperfect with their bodies. For instance, one side of everyone's body is slight larger than the other. No one has a perfect body, unless plastic surgery was involved. So, try to stick to the question at hand next time. Well, as the old people say, "If you can't say something nice than don't say anything at all. "
Boy, I am so tired of being embarassed by living in America. George W was supremely embarassing. Now we have Joe Biden with foot-in-mouth disease and the national disaster Michelle Obama.
The red and black dress? Horrid! The outfit with the short jacket and layered look. Honey, when ya got, as the saying goes, more junk in the trunk than J-Lo you don't place the emphasis on the broadest part of the your body. She need to realise that if you're 20 and are built like Whitney Houston or Paris Hilton you can shop in the Jr. section.
The yellow dress. Arg! Horrid! With that dress she out frumped Queen Elizabeth and Barbara Bush both. And please, someone tell her that bowlegged folks need to have their hemline slightly below the knee.
And the worst fashion faux pas of all time. She's not Cinderella at the ball. She a BIG black woman who's 45. She's not a tiny petite cartoon. That mess looked like the birds had indeed made it!
Plus, do you real feel she should have flown in the face of tradition? Shouldn't she have given an AMERICAN designer a chance like the prior first ladies did? Shouldn't the prez and the first lady "buy American"?
on ANoydAml's remarks, i have to say that most of us Americans don't even shop "American" because everything is made elsewhere these days. I personally thought our First Lady looked just fine, I thought her best moment was at the first ball the Obamas attended because it had sincerity.
What I do have to say about our President is that I hope that he has the best of luck and strong support from his wife. I may not have voted for him but we seriously need to come together now and get out of this together. I may disagree strongly with some tactics and plans that will shortly come into effect and I know that they could really hurt me as an individual but faced with the situation Pres. Obama is in, a Conservative Pres. would be getting blown out of the water by media from lowering taxes on the upper sector.
What I think would help our economy get a positive boost would be to take a step back from trying to save the planet and look at the truly big picture: ONE STEP AT A TIME! Obama's economic stimulus package has many people concerned that it is just Democratic Agenda, focusing on decreasing CO2 emissions and other green tactics. I pretty much interpret this as throwing more money away right now and ignoring the crisis facing our country. Right now, this is all words but hopefully Obama decides to turn them into actions and not just vote present-turning his previously stated economic stimulus package into one.
Now on the positive side, Obama seems to be able to influence people great and is confident about his job. I wish him the best of luck and pray for a successful 4 years. I hope that this post didn't offend anyone with my views being overly bearing.
I think Mr. "Roastedpinebark" above me has the best things to say out of anyone...Including the article itself. Let me explain:
Am I wrong to believe that our focus as Americans is, shall I say, 'askew?' Why are we so focused on what the first lady is wearing and what designer she's flaunting around? Personally, she could be wearing some Wal-Mart brand or 2nd hand dress and I would not know the difference...As I'm sure most average Americans would agree. I'm embarrassed to think we have become a nation and a society that puts ANY emphasis on which designer our Commander in Chief, his wife, and their children are wearing. Surely they need to present themselves appropriately, but why do it wearing clothes that I'm sure cost much more than most people would pay? Then again, if you can afford it, do as you please...Just seems like a pitiful waste.
BUT!!! - the fact of the matter is, this country is in no state to be commending, ridiculing, or mocking what Mrs. Obama is wearing. Perhaps it is the good people of the USA that need to STOP trying to "keep up with the Jones'" and focus on the important issues: The economy, the war, the environment, etc. Maybe our misdirected attention was what got us into this mess in the first place?? Just a thought.
Chrissy and roastedpinebark, you're both quite right that it's time we moved past the silliness and superficial issues. We have big problems to solve, and obsessing and squabbling over apperances isn't going to help.
As for the 'Obama' above Chrissy, don't you think its time we moved into a post-racial society? There's no call for playing the victim card here. Barack Obama wasn't elected just by African-Americans or Democrats. He was elected by a majority of Americans.
At last we can see change now.
Great article and I agree---Michelle is radient! The President and she are a class act....
I think she is a nice looking lady but I didn't care for the choice of dress for the ball. I don't think it was very flattering on her.
I agree with anoydiam! WOOF on Michelle's fashion sense!!! HER HAIR! What's with her hair!!! While the fashion police use this poll for information, where are the Hair Stylists of America?! I understand: black hair is difficult, but there are MANY beautiful black women who know how to make their hair an asset. Forget that Michelle "for the first time is proud to be called an American" <her post election comment> Michelle needs to get a consultation on her general appearance.
I love looking at her. She isn't a model. She's a striking, real woman who radiates warmth and seems supremely grounded. She's someone for girls to look up to.
Mobama ugliest woman ever, no matter what dress
ninasmith 3 years ago
I DON'T THINK SHE IS RADIANT AT ALL!! SERIOUSLY. ARE YOU EVEN LOOKING AT ALL? IS THAT NOT AN OVERBITE OR WHAT! GIVE ME A BREAK!! WE WILL SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN WON'T WE! GOOD LUCK TO US AS A PEOPLE! HOPEFULLY THINGS WILL GET BETTER FOR US HARD WORKING PEOPLE! GOD BLESS ALL AMERICANS AND WATCH OVER OUR TROOPS!!