MICHELLE OBAMA’S INAUGURAL GOWN - WHAT WILL SHE WEAR?
Monday, December 8, 2008

So many choices yet, so little time. With the biggest event of 2009 happening next month, Michelle Obama has a tough decision to make before she evens moves to the White House - what will she wear at the historical Inaugural ball? (President elect Barack Obama already made his…he’ll be wearing a Hart Schaffner Marx tuxedo).
Her decision maybe a bit harder since designers from left to right have been sketching up ideas for the future first lady. Everyone from Marc Jacobs, Oscar De La Renta, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Chanel have presented WWD.com with their gown ideas. Check out a couple of the sketches and take your pick for Mrs. Obama…what do you think she should wear?


















144 Comments
COMMENT PAGES: [1] 2 » Show All
1.
SexyQB
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
She will be the flyest 1st lady EVER!!! GO Michelle!!!
2.
My V-O-T-E mattered
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
The ocsar de la renta and Monike ones are pretty she going to look fierse either way! Work it first lady
3.
VirgoDoll
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
She would look fierce in the red one!!
4.
STLCHICK
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
Lol @ Betsey Johnson. That’s her personality tho.
I like Nicole Miller’s design w/ the purple and I like Diane von Whatevers design too.
Monique Luhlier is my fav tho.
5.
EARBUDS GLUED
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
The red or lime green one are the cutest on this page but on WWD.com there are cuter ones
6.
VirgoDoll
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
I also like the Michael Kors and Badgley Mischka. But she should wear a bright, vibrant red!
7.
VirgoDoll
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
I also like the BM and the Michael Kors!
8.
VirgoDoll
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
Sorry I didn’t think my comment posted the first time.
9.
kelvin
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
Uh hello. Where is house of dereon? We all know that house of dereon dresses make true statements. Where is tina when u need her
10.
Poll of the Year
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
Oscar de la Renta, Marc Jacobs or Chanel ….
11.
Big M
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
Wow, I’m torn between Oscar de la Renta and Carolina Herrera (not Caroline).
Props to Oscar de la Renta for including the girls in his sketches. I am disappointed in Tracy Reese’s design.
12.
KCITY
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
Definitely the black Chanel dress..classic and regal just like the Michelle.
13.
Meat
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
She should contact Barack’s family in Kenya and have an African designer sketch her gown with cultural significance. After all…its only a dress for one night that someone will make a fortune off of. May as well give someone new a break and deflect all the fashion attention away from Euro ‘ish!
14.
TGS
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
Nice, but I love the Betsey Johnson (not those exact colors), and Badley Mischka.
15.
sophie
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
Christian-Michael-Monique……The fiercest ones.
I’m dissapointed that theres no Alexander Mcqueen. He’s the king of Haute.
I love Tracey Reese, but i dont like this particular dress.
16.
Greg_Arious
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
@ #13 Meat, that would be a good idea but then all the pundits and other people will question her patriotism again.
17.
sophie
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
@ Meat
My mother thinks the same thing. She wants her to be in african dress so bad it’s beyond obsession.
18.
msballer1505
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
I’m going to pray on this one. Too many for me to decide…so I’m going to wait and see what Aunt Michelle picks. lol. Some of them are No’s …spell on backwards.
~1505
19.
Missy
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
OMG SOO MANY TOOO CHOOSE FROM…WOOWOWOWOWOW
I LOVE ALLL OF THEM.
SHE SHOULD CHANGE EVERY 5MINS ! LMAO
20.
Big M
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
On second thought, I love the Monique Lhuillier dress for the occasion.
@ # 13 (Meat) - I have to disagree. The last thing Michelle needs to do is show up in something reminiscent of kente cloth. I do, however, agree with your suggestion of her giving a new designer a chance to showcase their work (much like Halle did at the Oscars). But then again, after viewing all 40 sketches, the competition is stiff and may be too much for a newbie. In the end, I’m sure she’ll make the right choice.
21.
1920
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
Chanel, Oscar de la Renta, Diana Von, Tracy Reese, and Michael Kors
These are the nicest ones on here!!
22.
Sync
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
Here’s the breakdown!!
CHRISTIAN LACROIX 1 : She’s the future lady, not a drag queen
CHRISTIAN LACROIX 2: The sketches are more realistic given the fact that the inauguration will be held outside, and she sure won’t be freezing her ass out in the cold. Adore the knee lenght blue coat with the accent of fur on the arms and collar.
BETSEY JOHNSON: Do not hate!!! It’s betsey and that’s what she does.
ZAC POSEN: Zac has more of a youthful vibe. Hence Rihanna always wearing his designs. Maybe for the girls but not suitable for the future first lady.
RACHEL ROY: Rachel has great individual pieces, but lacks fullgown experience.
NICOLE MILLER: Love Nicole Miller and love the dress and will probably be the chosen one, given the garment history of michelle. She loves colours and simplicity.
RODARTE: The house just had an amazing s/s 09 line and this sketch is wonderful. I would love for michelle and the girls to walk down in matching dresses. How cute!!!
TRACY REESE: The dress looks like it’s from a cheap department/retail store.
23.
Be The Best YOU There Is...
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
Whatever she wears I’m sure whe will look good…. I also thought she had her gown sewn by an African American woman… could be wrong…
24.
Tigg
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
MICHAEL KORS!!!!!!!!!!
25.
Katz
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
OMG!!!!! They are all wonderful… My favs are Diane Von Furstengurg and Nicole Miller and altough I know it’s not Mchelle’s style I love the Badgley Miscka…….. LMAO @ Betsy Johnson….. Now girl you know Michelle Obama ain’t about to wear Betsy Johnson NO WHERE
26.
KCITY
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
One more thing…simple looks good on michelle so I took a second look at Michael Kors and that’s beautiful too. So that or Chanel no doubt.
27.
remyjones
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
i like all of them except…..betsey johnson, zac posen, and marc jacobs.
My favorite is the Monique Lhullier
28.
butterscotch
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
1rst Chanel all the way first (very elegant. fit for a queen/princess ball)
2nd Nicole Miller
3rd Michael Kors
29.
Prissy Since 1908
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
i love anything my girl Bestey does, but her dress is just a little over there top. i like the de la renta 1, mainly b/c he thought of michelle and especially the girls!!!
30.
successful
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
Whoever sketched the Oscar De La Renta (not the dress but the images) definitely has some talent! Its looks just like her and the kids!!
But my vote goes to Micheal Kors
31.
divastar
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
@ 9 House of Dereon! Are you kidding me?! I hope you are…..I say Christian Lacroix #2, Badgley, Michael Kors or Carolina Herrera with the Monique Lhuiller color. The others maybe for another event.
32.
OBAMA YALL!!!!
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
I like the Marc Jacobs and a few of the others too.
33.
Not_An_Angell
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
No matter what she wears, she will look great. Her tall beautiful figure will compliment any of these designs.
However, I would like to see a new designer get the opportunity to “come up”.
34.
CharismaZ
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
My picks are : Diane Von Furstenberg & Monique L’Huilier
BTW I know that Betsy is joking
35.
iknowdasrite
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
Cosign #30, if you coould win by the sketch Oscar de la Renta has it!
#1, Oscar de la Renta
#2, Christian Lacroix, they all look warm, you know its gonna be cold as hell michelle!
36.
beyonceaintallthat
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
Monique L’hlullier ( she designed my wedding dress)
Nicole Miller
Oscar de la Renta
those are my 3 choices, michelle obama is so classy and not too over the top. i think those 3 dresses would be one of her choice.. or at least what she should wear.
37.
mel
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
There’s too many to choose from but I like Michelle in reds and purple. Whateva she chooses I know she will look good.
38.
Kymlayla
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
Betsey Johnson needs to sit her “ecentric” tale down.
I love Oscar because he included the girls.
My fav is that Monique Lhuieller dress (sp?) Michelle’s pretty choco skin and her height will carry that off… EXCELLENT!!!
39.
Nothing But Love
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
Wow those designs are amazing she got a hard decison to make, but whatever she chooses she’ll look amazing.
I like Christian Lacroix, Chanel and Nicole Miller…oh and i like Oscar de la renta but i think it looks a bit too simple.
40.
Luca
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
My Favorites are: Christian Lacroix, Monique Lhuiller, Diane Von Furstenburg, Rodarte, Michael Kors.
I want to see a sketch from John Paul Gaultier.
41.
I'mNotNotAfraidofLions&Tigers&Bears
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
I LIKE THE DRESS BY CHANEL, tRACY, NICOLE,MICHEAL, AND MONIQUE! THEY ARE SOO CUTE!
42.
beyonceaintallthat
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
That Zac pozen dress is not cute at all
43.
Jamie872006
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
Marc Jacobs or Oscar de la Renta
44.
Anonymous
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
Definetly Chanel or Oscar de la Renta. D@mn I wish that was me instead!
45.
BFAN
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
loving th monique lui dress. I think its so elegant and regal.
46.
Kay Kay
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
I am feeling only 2 of these…The Chanel and the Badgley Mischka. To me they are the most elegant and will be the most flattering. Betsey Johnson needs to hang it up with that clown outfit!
47.
Meat
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
@ #20. (Big M) - I’m sure that there are African designers who understand the subtilties of American/Euro frail. “Kente cloth” is only a fragment of the fashion choices in Kenya and Nigeria. Let’s face it…America voted for CHANGE, but so far, all we’ve gotten is more of the Clintons and Kennedy’s! Real change should spur fashion markets throughout the world rather than just China, Japan and Italy.
Where’s the BOLD change? The designers who have set the standards, have also manipulated it! After all, the clothes don’t make the woman, the woman makes the clothes. Who said the Obama’s have to be transparent when it comes to culture? Why can’t they embrace the love of Africa the way that past first families have embraced St. Patrick, cornbeef and kilts?
Okay, I give up…you’re correct! America is: Chanel, Marc Jacob, Nike, Disney, Sony, Wal Mart, Timberlakes, Sean John, Rocawear, Baby Phat, Bud and Coors…CNN, NBC, Microsoft, Guess, Louis Vuitton, Polo, Cambridge, Levi and Oscar De La Renta. All of our heros.
48.
complexndope
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
That Oscar De La Renta is FIERCE!
49.
MINDYOURBIZNESS
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
Michelle aint wearing none of them designs. She gonna go left and wear somebody that we least expect.
Truth be told it doesn’t even matter as long as she looks good, which I’m sure she will!!!
50.
Sondra Curry
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
Mrs. Obama is so so beautiful, yet so classy and conservative. Most of the dresses are nice, but I think the sketches by Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors and Nicole Miller would say it all. “I am a still a classy sister!!”
51.
Brittney
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
No matter what she wears, I’m sure she’ll look fly!!!
52.
Lis
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
MICHELLE, PLEASE DON’T WEAR THAT S*&T BETSEY PUT TOGETHER! Important historical event like this, and Betsey wants her to look like a dayum clown!
53.
Tiffany
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
My favorite is a tie b/w the Monique Lhillier gown and the Diane Von Furstenburg. Close third is Michael Kors. If she is feeling Couture, she should definitely do the Christian Lacroix! Either way, the First Lady is going to be fierce!
54.
sassydancer
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
i am certain whatever she chooses she will be absolutely stunning. as for the designs i sorta like them all.
55.
Ms. Lady
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
This is a dress overload, I like Marc Jacobs and possibly Rachel Roy dress. The other dresses are way over the top!
56.
Lis
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
My take, is that she will go timeless, but elegant. Which is that of either, Oscar, Chanel, Herrera or even Badgley Miscka. Lacroix is too “diva”, Jacobs and Von Furstenberg are too dynamic enough and Zac Posen is too about the design of the DRESS and couture-Michelle will get lost in that look. Kors, Monique and Tahari are more fitting for Oscars’. Rachel Roy’s is nice, but more fitting for stiff, socialite cocktail parties. Tracey’s piece would be a great choice for Michelle too, plus with her being an upcomiing black designer, this would put her on the map the way Rachel Roy did on Oprah.
I’m sure Michelle will still look fabulous, and I can’t wait! *
57.
Lis
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
@47, I feel you, but I will clutch my pearls and gasp for air if I see Michelle in cornrows and kente garb.
58.
LadyNia
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
I think she should so go with the Oscar De La Renta that seems more her style plus the gown is just beautiful and that Chanel one should be in the run because it is also beautiful.
59.
Sha sha85
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
I love the oscar de la renta 1 hands down! I’m feelin the michael kors, chanel, and rachel roy….simple but makes a statement!
60.
Lis
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
Oh yeah, she can wear that Nicole Miller get-up at her eldest daughter’s (Maliah) wedding.
61.
* GIFT FROM A VIRGO *
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
Wow the gown sketchs are amazing, Love the Marc jacobs, and Michael Kors Gowns… Whatever she wears I know she will rock it, she is BOSS…
62.
Nothing But Love
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
Betsey Johnson can’t be serious… she should be slapped for that design.
63.
Lis
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
You guys have a point, now that I think about it. I think Oscar is probably the best choice since someone over there DID take the time to consider how the girls with coordinate with Mom’s look. Most of the others convey, “lead singer” looks, or A-list actress.
64.
Virginia Slimm
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
I think Mrs. Obama would look fierce in anything she wears. I definitely prefer the red dress by Monique Lhuiller. Either way she is a beautiful black woman who I admire.
65.
Phillyfashionista
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
I’m mad at some of these gowns for being so “extra” looking…but I’m even more mad at the way they’re trying to draw this women’s face!! WTF was Betsy Johnson, Christian Lacroix and Zac Posen thinking?? LMAO! All 3 of those would be OUT if I was her.
66.
Meat
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
@ #57. (Lis) - Cornrows and kente garb are such a limited expression of African fashion. I wish I could take some of y’all to visit the homeland so you could see first hand for yourselves and not just rely on what you’ve seen through American media.
I hope we don’t spend the next eight years being afraid to rock the boat of the past 43 presidents. [43 X 8 = 344 years.] That’s almost five generations and we’re just going to try and blend in!
67.
Meat
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
65.
Phillyfashionista - LMAO, you are so right about the faces! They made her look like “Evil Sheera” from the southside. Oscar De La Renta is the only one who got it right or at least came close! I don’t mind the softer images, but Lacroix must have used one of the Saturday Night Live artist. hehe!
68.
The Truth
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
Love the Monique Lhullier and the Badgley Mishka are amazing! I would love to see her in either. The first Christian Lacroix is beautiful too.
69.
NOTEY
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
REMINDER: - whatever dress she chooses, she has to consider it will be placed in the Smithsonian museum (First Lady’s Gown Hall) for historical purposes. That’s forever & ever…so, think wisely Michelle.
70.
La Maestra
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
Lhullier-Miller-Kors are all my favorite, very elegant yet simple, just like the future first lady. I will be at the inauguration with my Uggs, thermals and a coat freezin my ass off!!
71.
TJACK25
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
I LOVE MICHELLE CAUSE SHE’S A TALL LADY LIKE ME! LOL
72.
Lis
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
@Meat,
I’m waving my fist-pick in the air for you! lol
First of all, you “pro-black” types kill me! This is about to become an iconic moment for whatever she chooses and it’s not about reppin’ the motherland. Also, FYI, I’ve been to East Africa TWICE and I live in a city where Africans are not only prevalent, but just as diverse as well. Michelle doesn’t need to be draped head-to-toe in native garb to show just how culturally-conscious she is. She’s our First Lady, not just blacks but for ALL AMERICANS. As in the words of Michael Kor’s from Project Runway, “LIGHTEN UP, IT’S JUST FASHION!!!!!!” lol
73.
AzzedineAliaFan
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
Love the sketches, i wish i could sketch
that’s what stopped me from fulling my dream of being a designer (that and the racist fashion industry), i love the Lacroix sketches and Baghley Mischka the best, i hope she chooses something from above, they all are FAB!!
74.
Lis
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
I see Philly and I share some of the same views. I’ve checked out the other sketches on the WWD site also. Her face in some of the sketches ARE jacked-up! lol
I’m still almost appauled at Betsey still. Why not just stick Michelle in a tutu and have her turn a cartwheel after they walk across the stage. Also, I very surprised to not see any contributions from another fave designer of mine, Christian Dior……well, John Galliano. Maybe he’s busy with his Fall 2010 collection to help.
75.
ladytroublesome
Monday, December 8, 2008 /
I like the Christian Lacroix #2
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