Michelle Obama - Washington Post Chooses Green Inaugural Gown

by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts)
Posted Jan 13th 2009 at 3:00PM

Recently, the Washington Post held a First Lady Formalwear Contest, allowing readers to submit their designs for Michelle Obama's inaugural gown. Robin Givhan was the Washington Post writer in charge of selecting a winner, and while there were a couple of others we might have picked, we have to admit she made a pretty good choice with Katie Ermilio's deep forest green creation. It's elegant, appropriately youthful, striking, and sexy without showing too much of anything. And, with the suggested floor-length cape in dove gray, it's positively regal.

The Post isn't the only publication wondering what Michelle should wear for the big night -- check out the sketches WWD got from some of the country's most prominent designers below!

What Should Michelle Wear?

On January 20th 2009, Barack Obama will be sworn in as our 44th President -- instantly becoming one of the most significant leaders in United States history. What will he say? How will he act? And, most importantly, what will Michelle wear?

Style bible Women's Wear Daily has been wondering the same thing, and enlisted the world's most prominent designers to sketch ideas for the future First Lady. Check out our favorites from the American designers.

Women's Wear Daily

Purple is undoubtedly the "it" color of the season, and Isaac Mizrahi offers a fashion-forward option that (at least to us) seems the most in keeping with what Michelle normally wears. Bonus points for offering options for Sasha and Malia, too!

Women's Wear Daily

Regal, elegant and timeless -- a stunning formal gown from Michael Kors.

Women's Wear Daily

The First Family would certainly be the center of attention in Oscar de la Renta's trio of red, white and blue confections.

Women's Wear Daily

Peter Som channels Jackie K. to offer Michelle O a totally timeless, utterly sophisticated "winter white" gown.

Women's Wear Daily

The President-elect has sworn to work closely with both parties to unite the country. And with Reem Acra's brash, take-no-prisoners gown in Republican red, his wife could show her support for that agenda on her first night as First Lady.

Women's Wear Daily

Tracy Reese suggests a delightfully elegant, classically feminine gown for the lady of the hour.

Women's Wear Daily

Betsey Johnson's gown gives a nod to her punk-rock sensibility, while boldly embracing the patriotism of the occasion.

Women's Wear Daily

A marked contrast from Betsey's in-your-face, inauguration-ball bananza is an ultra-refined evening gown by Diane Von Furstenberg.

Women's Wear Daily

And that's just the beginning. For all 42 sketches by the world's most famous designers, .

Women's Wear Daily

Read All Comments

Filed under: News
Tags: design, dress, gown, inaugural ball, InauguralBall, inauguration, michelle obama, MichelleObama, sketch, washington post, WashingtonPost, wwd

Style Around the Web

ImaxTree

Make Up Tips For Girls With Glasses - Refinery29
How Celebs Work Red Into Their Wardrobe - FabSugar
Celebrity Wardrobe Malfunctions - The Daily Beast
Deodorants that Actually Work - Daily Candy
Would You Wear Long-Sleeve Shirts As Skirts? - The Frisky
Tricks That Guarantee Gorgeous Hair - Daily Makeover
Celebs Have Us Seeing Stars - People Style Watch

READER COMMENTS

(150)Add A Comment

Carol, 1-13-2009, 2:33PM

I can't wait to see how she is dressed on the day of the inauguration. This is going to be so exciting. She is young and tall, and fit. So she will look stunning in some beautiful designer gown. I love the one with her in white, and her daughter's in blue, and red. That would be stunning. President elect Obama is so handsome and tall, I know he will look awesome. All of my friends at college think he is so dreamy.

Reply »

Mike, 1-13-2009, 4:18PM

did u just use the word dreamy???? and u say ur n college????? GROW UP

lexy, 1-13-2009, 4:20PM

ok Who says dreamy anymore these days? You arent in college are you?

andy144, 1-13-2009, 4:51PM

Hey Carol, I bet Barney Frank can maybe hook you up with Obongo, that is after he is done with him!!!!

Alex, 1-13-2009, 5:02PM

Wow!!! Miley Cyrus's sex tape here:
http://bcelebvideos.com/video.php?link=Miley_Cyrus_sex_tape

andy144, 1-13-2009, 2:42PM

Most likely a burka. Obongo will have his turban on, so they will look the part. I was kind of hoping she would wear the black widow halloween dress she wore on elections night. That had to go back the costume store, I guess.

Reply »

Michael, 1-13-2009, 3:45PM

Andy,

I hope that you are just a child, and I wish only the best for your cognitive development. If you mature, perhaps you will be in a position to make a positive impact on our world.

Bless you

Elaine, 1-13-2009, 4:38PM

Andy,

I have to say that you have a point; it's funny anyway. Seriously though, although I don't think he is a muslim, I'll bet his stepfather from Indonesia was. Anyway, there are enough of us out here that did not vote for this man and dread the things that he, Harry Reid, and Nancy Pelosi will do. Hillary will probably make a fool of herself as Secretary of State, and Joe Biden will undoubtedly sit in the corner and suck his thumb after Hillary tells him to shut up.

Truthteller, 1-13-2009, 5:08PM

Certainly the muslims around the world will be celebrating their victory on January 20th as America will now give them everything that they want! Obama is a muslim - his Kenyan father was a muslim , therefore, Barack Hussein Obama was born a muslim and it says so on his kenyan birth certificate which is being kept from the American people by our biased media. Watch out - these morons will not salute the flag of the United States nor will they say the pledge of allegiance - they hate America!

ProPalin, 1-19-2009, 12:38PM

HA HA HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!

Taint, 1-13-2009, 2:44PM

And I expect to see them swing in from the trees too! What a D.A.N.

Reply »

Karen, 1-13-2009, 2:45PM

Talk about putting lipstick on a pig!! Or should I say gargantuan, HUGE behind gorilla. Who gives a s88t what she weras, nothing could make her any less repulsive than she is....

Reply »

alexis, 1-13-2009, 4:17PM

Your a Bitch!

tom, 1-13-2009, 5:37PM

You are a goofy bi8ch!!!!!!!!!!!!

ALAN, 1-13-2009, 2:45PM

As long as the put the brown bag over her face who cares about the dress

Reply »

Karen, 1-13-2009, 2:50PM

WOW Carol, did you actually vote? This is why we need some type of intelligence, informed individual test before you can vote. Morons like you scare the s**t out of me. You vote on how 'dreamy' someone is? Do you have ANY idea what politics are, or what your 'dream man' stands to do to this country? Someone needs to kick you in your a** so you'll wake up. Try reading 'The Communist Manifesto" to get a look at what you voted for. You probably wouldn't understand it, there's no pictures.

Reply »

Cathy, 1-13-2009, 3:20PM

IT IS SO SAD TO SAY THAT THE WORLD IS F...KED UP BECAUSE OF RACIST PEOPLE LIKE YOU. IF YOU DON'T HAVE SOMETHING DECENT TO SAY, DON'T SAY IT AT ALL. FURTHERMORE PRESIDENT ELECT OBAMA IS VERY INTELLIGENT AND WILL DO A MUCH BETTER JOB THAN BUSH. MRS OBAMA HAPPENS TO BE A VERY INTELLIGENT WOMAN. SO TO ALL OF YOU PEOPLE WHO ARE HATING ON OUR NEW PRESIDENT AND FIRST LADY, YOU NEED TO GET OVER IT AND MOVE ON WITH YOUR LIFE OR OUT OF THE COUNTRY. THIS IS A NEW TIME. GO OBAMA 2009.

Angel, 1-13-2009, 6:35PM

Karen,I be you are a fat ass old rep bitch...your jealousy is ovbious..why dont you move to Gaza??????

ms.r, 1-13-2009, 2:59PM

i think is hows bad tase president or not people are our of work or waiting for a pink slip in there check an you talk about her gown an talked down sara .talk about your double standard bs .i think a comment is proper here but no anything against him is raciest an not about how what a true piece of crap he is

Reply »