Michelle's Inauguration Dress: Marc Jacobs, Christian Lacroix, And Others Offer Their Ideas

Who says these are bleak times? On one matter at least, designers are positively euphoric. That is the Obama presidency, a two-part point of light. While much of the glee centers around the President-elect and his policies, Michelle Obama radiates a powerful style all her own. So step aside, Angelina. You too, Madonna, not to mention the bevy of pop tarts, gossip girls, "High School Musical" grads and even potential Oscar divas, now all suddenly second-tier. The American fashion industry hasn't had a catch this big since, well, since another icon of Democratic chic took up residency on Pennsylvania Avenue in 1961.

For the big guns at least, dressing Michelle may prove even more of a challenge, since her chic is more lowercase democratic than was Jackie's. Throughout the campaign, the first lady-to-be has avoided all major names save Narciso Rodriguez, while showing a proclivity for locals (Chicago's Maria Pinto), young types (Thakoon; Jason Wu) and cost-conscious labels (Donna Ricco; J. Crew).

Nevertheless, just about everyone yearns to dress Michelle, who could raise the profile of American fashion around the world. Yet with the exception of Maria Cornejo, her current favorites, as well as a few majors, declined WWD's request for sketches. Some are loath to presume to offer unsolicited advice, while others, it seems, are definitely in the Inaugural sweepstakes and prefer, or have been asked, to keep their participation low-pro.

But plenty more happily offered their visions for Michelle and her charming first daughters, for the big day and evening events of Jan. 20.

Keep reading to see the 35 dress sketches from Marc Jacobs, Betsy Johnson, Christian Lacroix and more.

Comments

[nellie]

Wow, some really great designs in that slide show. I love the Miszarhi with the coordinated dressed for her daughters. Carolina Herrera has a great look for both day and evening. I love the Mak Jacobs gown, and who is Tuleh? Nice!

But my fave is Diane von Furstenburg's yellow striped suit. Wow.

[LMPE]

Those drawings look like what we see on the Oscars whenever they're about to award Best Costume Design.

BTW, am I the only one who thinks that Michelle Obama looks like Elizabeth Montgomery?

[nellie]

It's the eyebrows.

[Cookie100]

Can't go wrong with Chanel, Jacobs or Oscar, ever.

[changemaid]

I have to say this was a great article. She reminds me of Jackie Kennedy and always carries herself with dignity due to her intelligence and education. She will look great in whatever she wears because I don't think it matters all that much to her. She thinks outside the appearances -only box.
I am so excited and still find myself doing shoutouts to both Barack and Michelle and to the opportunity soon to become. The thrill has not worn off and I hope I feel like this for a long time.

[margardner]

Great comment, ditto!

[LenaJohnson]

The beauty of the dress should not detract from Michelle’s natural beauty; the colors must enhance or at least flatter her statuesque figure.
My recommendations:
The Inaugural Ball - red (vine red) velvet dress with black embroidery.
Swearing In Ceremony – blue (lighter navy) or turquoise short coat with ecru-cream short dress underneath.
Obama’s girls can have fun and pick what they want.
Also, I will recommend a studio session with video recording – hopefully Mrs. Obama will not present election night image again.
Best wishes in your choice Mrs. Obama - we voiced our opinions, but only YOU can pick what you will be wearing!

[sheikwil4]

I didn't like the dress she wore on the night of the convention, but who are we to judge what she wears. It's her taste, she doesn't dress for us. If what she wears is a trend setter, then so beit. But I think it's not nice to talk about her dress that she picked, that she apparently liked enough to wear. Atleast for people to say publically where she can read about it. What we say in our homes or in private are ok, but to say it on a message board or in the papers is just cruel in my two cents. Give her a chance, we may be suprised. I like the idea that the girls get to wear what they want, and it looks like Sasha, the baby girl, has a mind of her own, if you look at some of the pictures with the family, Michelle Barak and Malaya usually have matching colors when it's a group picture, but not rosebud as the secret service call her, she has on a different color, and it always tickles me because she must have whined and asked could she wear something different than what they chose for her. I can't wait for Michele to hit the world stage as our first lady.

[AZ4thatone]

BTW, right on about burning that red, white and blue nightmare. It's way too over the top!

[nellie]

Yeah, what is that?

[AZ4thatone]

That blue Michael Kors gown is gorgeous! Understated, flattering and elegant. I like Isaac Mizrahi's trio of dresses as well but I'm not sure about those colors.

[SeconLine]

I hope she goes with Narciso Rodriguez again!

[biglover]

Not if it looks like that red and black ugly thinkg she wore on election night. I love Michelle and she has great taste but that dress was not flattering and ugly.

I like the sketch above with the red, white and blue. I don't know that I would choose those colors but I love the design.

[happylittlevegemite]

I cannot look at anything by Lacroix without thinking of Edina from Absolutely Fabulous shrieking "Lacroix, sweetie, Lacroix"

[Rattlesnake]

A knee length dress with matching coat comprised of simple, classic lines is appropriate for the swearing in. The Inauguration Ball is just that, a Ball and a gown is the way to go. Again, simple and classic lines. Less is more. As far as Lacroix's designs, my response is that I know many drag queens that would die for those dresses. I like the Channel suit and gown, but let's face it, in this economy she must go American. Michael Kors' blue gown is one of my favorites. My other choices are 1,14,18,21­,22,23,24,­25,29 and 30.

[chronic]

I hope she wears long white gloves with an elegant gown.

She deserves it and we deserve her in it.

[nellie]

Long white gloves with a red gown. She wears a lot of red, and it looks really good on her. Maybe red velvet...

[Fongenie]

Beautiful.

[mec57]

My favorites...see if anyone agrees:

Monique
Karl Lagerfeld
Diane Von Furstenburg
Oscar de La Renta
Tracy Reese
Peter Som
Tuleh
Reem Acra (only the red dress)
Isaac Mizrahi

Anything that accentuates her height is a huge plus...she's also curvy, which dresses should celebrate. Some of the dresses for the girls are wonderful, too.

[ronito6]

That red, white, and blue idea should be burned now.

[chronic]

Well that dress Michelle wore on election night was hideous.

I hope she doesn't make that mistake again.

[LeftLeanWing]

It was....

Not sure what was happening around the torso... It looked homemade and unflattering.

[Changeizgood]

Oh get off her Arse, who picks your clothes. She's got brains, she'll do fine.

Negative nattering naybobs.

Jeesh!

[happylittlevegemite]

I loved that dress and Michelle looked stunning in it

[biglover]

I think the style of the red white blue dress is gorgeous but not necessarily in those colors.

[mec57]

Do NOT make her look like a drag queen, please...too many designers turn straight women into looking like drags...it's not becoming.

Michelle's biggest problem is because of her height, she tends to stoop...she needs to work on this so when she wears her inaugural gown she looks even more fabulous than one knows she can.

Make the dress simple, elegant and classy, no big ruffles, no eigthties Dynasty shoulder pads, please.

[robXdion]

Best designs are. . . .

7,10,14,15­,21,26,29,­38,41