Seeing as we weren't invited to any of the festivities at and around the White House at the time of the Inauguration, we thought we would at least get close to the place on our recent visit to Washington DC.
And seeing as I am a big fan of Michelle's fashion sense, I knew where to get thisclose to the gown she wore to the Inaugural Balls that cold January evening not so long ago...the National Museum of American History is "home" to the dress in the FIRST LADIES exhibit hall.
Jason Wu designed this beautiful dress and it is stunning to view in person. Each of the little dots is hand-frayed with a crystal in the center of the dot. The fabric is intricately tucked and pleated in the bodice.
Check out the Jimmy Choo shoes as well as the 10 carat diamond ring, diamond earrings and bangle bracelets that were the accessories for the dress.
When the dress was donated to the Smithsonian, Michelle was there as well to talk about how she felt wearing the dress. This video is presented as a part of the exhibit. I was very impressed with her comments about all the "fuss" being made over her dress --- her words were chosen carefully as she tried to fathom all the interest one dress could generate. Simply stated, though, she felt like the dress was magic once on her frame.
I wondered what was going on in the minds of other First Ladies as they wore their gowns to the Balls: Did Jackie know her fashions would be copied around the world? Did Betty Ford think that zipper down the front of her dress was thoroughly modern? Did Nancy like her chignon? Did Barbara like the assymetrical look of her gown? Did Hillary have to diet to squeeze into that small-waisted dress? Did Laura know that she looked stunning in red?
Thank you, ladies, for sharing your special outfits with the rest of us who live in a world so unlike yours. You are to be remembered for years long after your reign as First Lady is over.
3 comments:
I love this post and these dresses and styles so much it's crazy! Glad DC was a good time. My good friend Megan is moving there soon so I hope to get another visit down the road.
Happy Thanksgiving Deb!
Thanks, Samara! You'll have to go to this museum when you go to visit Megan.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours as well!
Wow! Just seeing these dresses makes me want to get up and waltz around the room. How beautiful they are. Thank you for sharing your trip with us!
Can I put in a shameless promotion for the display of wedding dresses in the Cook House Museum in Libertyville? Ten dresses from 1875 to 1917 show how our local women dressed for their special day. http://www.cooklib.org/Localhistory/BridesOfYesterYear/MainPage.htm
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