Wednesday
Jan162013
Predictions, Please
Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at 8:56 PM 
With the inaugural ball just days away, I'm curious to know who you think will have the honor of designing Mrs. O's second inaugural ball gown. Will it be a repeat feat for Jason Wu, or perhaps a chance for someone new to shine? I've constructed a list of 15 designers, 14 of whom the first lady has worn before for past formal occasions, plus one wild card. Of course your pick may not be on this list, so please use the comments for write-in candidates.
Update: WWD reports, "Nearly 20 designers are believed to have sent clothes for this weekend's festivities in response to requests from East Wing staffers. Those names include Michael Kors, Derek Lam, Naeem Khan, Marchesa's Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig, Prabal Gurung, Jason Wu, Bibhu Mohapatra, Thakoon Panichgul, Tracy Reese, Chris Benz, Tory Burch, Narciso Rodriguez, Zac Posen, Maria Cornejo, Thom Browne, Barbara Tfank and Laura Smalls. Odds are the first eight companies on that list are the more likely contenders to design the First Lady's gown, but there very well may be other candidates. And don't rule out a hundred-to-one-shot dark horse. Wu seized the honor in 2009 and soon after cannonballed into fame."
Reader Comments (29)
I think that Mrs. O may go with an unknown designer and help launch another starling career. When I saw the collection of pics above, I thought to myself, "OMG, how lucky are we to have such a bold, smart and fashionable First Lady who supports our troops, their families and our children!".
USA, you guys have one beautiful First Lady....warm, dignified.... simply gorgeous. HAPPY BIRTHDAY First Lady Michelle, you are loved all over the globe. On the style front I think she will choose a new designer.
I wish she would be wearing a gown by Gerri Lorraine Beatty : )... But I think Tracey Reese
Anything by Naeem Khan leaves me jaw hanging, speechless and gasping. He ALWAYS delivers. I am feeling that the first lady will wear Magenta as her day outfit, failing that something very bright.
I was struck by how gorgeous Michelle looks in each of these dresses. She is a real style maven! I don't know who she will wear at the balls but we can rest assured that she will rock whichever designer's dress that she wears. We are so fortunate to have her as our First Lady.
Elie Saabbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb
Who I want is Naeem Khan. Who I think it will be is someone "all American" like Ralph Lauren.
Laura Smalls might be a good choice as she is someone new.
First lady has a new hairdo:
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/michelle-obama-sports-new-haircut
You guys need to see Mrs.O's new hair cut or bangs! OMG! She is rocking it. She might be 49, but she looks 30. I love you Mrs.O :)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/17/michelle-obamas-bangs-are_n_2498114.html?utm_hp_ref=style&ir=Style
Wishing Mrs. O the best of birthdays!! She's 49 today but looks 29 with her new haircut!! Gorgeous, wonderful woman. CANNOT WAIT to see her day and evening fashion for the inauguration.
Mrs. O's new hairstyle looks awesome! Will be interesting to see how she styles it for the inaugural ball. I am hoping for an American designer for the inaugural ball and a new designer for the inauguration. Regardless who the designers turn out to be, Mrs. O will look fabulous!
since the FLOTUS always takes my breath away, i believe she will leave the world speechless again! i agree with previous posters, she will most likely sport a new designer.
Zac Posen claims the dress that goes with the new hairdo.
Happy Birthday Mrs O!!
Doesn't the second innaugural gown, by law, have to be designed by Oscar de la Renta?
Personally, I would love to see the First Lady toss a curve ball to an established US female designer she has rarely/never worn, like Carolina Herrara or Donna Karan.
Thanks for this blog MrsT, have been a lurking fan for four years!
I'm with the other in saying the dress designer will be unknown. However, since FLOTUS got a new haircut which is out-of-the- way for her, she might stick with a known quantity for a designer. Her haicut is great by-the-way, and I think she'll go with Michael Kors for a gown since she's been favoring him lately
Fun exercise this guessing, wishing, demanding, insisting and whining game.
But it is safe to say that Mrs Obama has already long decided what she will be wearing all through this historic event. And in the end, it will be HER choice, HER decision and thank God for that!!!
Long, wispy, side-swept bangs always looks wonderful on our gorgeous first lady.
Just like the way she wore her hair when she first stepped out in the little black Alaia dress and shrug at the NATO conference in Baden-Baden.
http://michelleostyle.blogspot.com/2009/04/michelle-obama-brings-drama-in-black.html#!/2009/04/michelle-obama-brings-drama-in-black.html
Hot, sexy, classy, feminine, gorrrrrgeous!!!
That was in 2009, but still looks so great even years later. And she's gotten so much enjoyment from that black shrug. That is how a smart woman takes on fashion. Investing in great, well-made pieces that can be worn in several different ways and still look fantastic when she pulls it out 10 years later!!!
Happy Birthday to a fantastic, sexy, stunning and amazing first lady who moves so authentically and effortlessly between her many impressively executed roles as loving wife, great mother and exemplary first lady. What an extraordinary woman!!!
Happy Birthday Mrs. O.
We have mentioned designers - BUT - what's your favourite Gown style, colour etc. for Mrs. O.
Maybe you have a favourite look for the inauguration. What you think is the most stunning........
One shoulder, shoulder straps, flowing chiffon with beads etc., sheath gown, Empire or A line gathers from the waist.
Lots of sequins, long gloves, sleeves. Think about it.
Will her hair be up or down? My favourite gown would be fabric that drapes beautifully with a train. Shoulder straps that criss cross at the back. Colour - she looks great in so many so I haven't decided.
Enjoy your birthday Mrs. Obama! You're a very special lady, mother, wife, daughter and sister. And you're our First Lady!
In the WWD link Mrs T has added, only the Michael Kors and Jason Wu dresses look half way decent.
The rest are rather ugly and below par in every way. I can't believe some of these designers actually thought these designs look good.
I really like Isabel Toledo and hope she makes a showing again sometime. She's not commercial and does some very unique, classic but trendy, thoughtful, cool, sexy, superior pieces.
I picked Michael Kors but I would not be surprised (or unhappy) to see that she selected a new, relatively unknown designer. :)
I am hoping Naeem Khan. She always looks great in his, but I wouldnt be surprised if she wears Marchesa.
Tracey Reeese would be great for day time
She is so incredibly statuesque, like a goddess.
She rocks gowns. I am hoping for a bright color - not red - and some very exciting, sparkly shoes.
Though it's probably too late now I think Mrs O. should have considered Kevan Hall. Then again who knows!
Naeem Khan First Lady, Naeem Khan!
I'm thinking Narciso Rodriguez may get the nod for Inaugural as a nod to the role the Latino population played in the re-election.
On the other hand, Harvey Weinstein was a huge supporter of the President so I wouldn't rule out Marchesa. But like most of us, I love for her to wear the creation of a newcomer.