Makeup Beat

Michelle Obama launched into the inaugural festivities with two streamlined and modern ensembles from designer Narciso Rodriguez (the very same man who made her controversial election night dress). The almost-first-lady began Sunday morning at Arlington National Cemetery wearing a purple coat and dress specially created by Rodriguez for the occasion. I loved it.

Later in the day, she made a grand entrance for the “We Are One” concert in a camel coat and pencil skirt paired with a sparkly beaded black top and black scarf, also by Rodriguez. Tres chic Ms. Obama.

Michelle Obama picked fashion insider Isabel Toledo, 47, to design her Inaugural ensemble. The unique, creamy yellow/celery green dress and matching coat ensemble were made of satin-backed wool guipure, a kind of lace used most often in French haute couture. Michelle accessorized the look with darker green leather gloves and shoes. However I couldn’t tell if that was a crystal necklace she was wearing or part of the dress design. Although the First Lady’s office repeatedly said that Obama would not decide on her outfit until this morning, the choice — including the color, fabric and accessories — shows a lot of confidence and planning on the wearer’s part. And I believe was pulled off pretty well.
Cuban-born Isabel Toledo, who has been designing for 25 years and worked for a time at Anne Klein, is known in fashion circles as a “designer’s designer” for her wit and whimsical sense of pattern, fit and fabric.

In the months, days and hours leading up to Tuesday night’s inaugural festivities, the big question on everyone’s mind (you know, besides how our new president will fix the economy, end war, and support gay rights) was: Who would Michelle Obama wear to the inaugural balls?

Of course, all the big names like Michael Kors, Chanel and Diane von Furstenberg wanted to be on the list to get the First Lady to wear their design on this historic occasion. Instead, she chose a little known designer, 26-year-old Jason Wu. “It’s soft, feminine, but powerful; I wanted to convey all that in a dress,” Wu told The Associated Press of the ivory, one-shouldered dress embellished with Swarovski crystals and fabric petals. “I wanted it to look like a sign of hope.” Wu, who was born in Taiwan and lives in New York, is more known for his fashion doll empire (he created the Amanda LePore doll), and then recently launched his RTW line in 2006.

When Michelle wore his raw-silk white dress with hand-embroidered black florets for her interview with Barbara Walters in November, his profile rose considerably. But he still considered himself “a long shot” as the choice for her big night, he told the Wall Street Journal at the time. Jason must now be thrilled.

During Tuesday night’s Neighborhood Ball at the Washington Convention Center, President Obama, asked the crowd: “First of all, how good-looking is my wife?”

My answer is Michelle looks great. Her hair and makeup are very simple, although I think she could have added a little more glamour at night with her makeup…a little sparkle maybe?
And I’m sorry to see she abandoned the flip hairstyle she wore sometimes during the campaign. The critics said she was trying to look like Jackie Kennedy…is that why she changed it? I loved the flip on her, it was fun and refreshing. I hope now that Michelle is officially our First Lady she will bring that style back.