Michelle Obama at yesterday's Inauguration / Isabel Toledo, the designer.

Yesterday was as much a day for renewed hope in our country as it was for a renewal in American fashion. The moment Michelle Obama stepped out of the Blair House wearing a lemongrass yellow dress and coat, the networks were abuzz with the soon to be First Lady’s first fashion choice for the day. Quickly we discovered she was wearing Isabel Toledo, a designer who has been “working in almost obscurity for 25 years,” a quote which Linda Wells, editor-in-chief of Allure magazine gave to The Today Show. Toledo may be a relative unknown to most of America, but to say she has been working in obscurity for 25 years doesn’t feel like a pat on the back for the designer. Ms. Wells’ version of American fashion appears truly sedate and uninformed. The mere fact that Toledo does not advertise in Allure or advertise at all, may add to the “obscurity” factor that Ms. Wells is alluding to. However, the designer certainly didn’t need any critics’ accolades. After Mrs. Obama appeared in the now famous coat and dress, people began lining up outside Toledo’s door asking for her designs, said the designer.

That evening Michelle wore yet another little known designer, 26-year-old Jason Wu. The one shoulder ivory goddess gown made the rounds to ten Inaugural Balls last night. Wu was “awestruck” as he saw Michelle emerge at the Neighborhood Ball, the first fête of the evening. The gown will now make its way to the Smithsonian as all other Inaugural ball gowns have rested after the big day and Wu will show in New York’s Fashion Week in February, surely to be one of the biggest shows of the season.

Michelle at the Inaugural Balls / Jason Wu, the designer

For Toledo and Wu, Michelle has turned two designers into household names overnight. Toledo surely is having her moment in the sun after living under the fashion rock for 25 years. Wu, who is a newcomer with a three-year-old label can only feel the immense boost this will give him in this time when so many small design companies are shutting down. Michelle’s Inaugural Day choices were certainly out of the typical lexicon of designers America is used to, now setting the precedent for what we think will be a very unique next four years for American fashion.

Further watching:

Isabel Toledo and Jason Wu on The Today Show

Tags: Inauguration, Isabel Toledo, Jason Wu, Michelle Obama.

The Changing of the Guard

Michelle Obama is just sparkling in a yellow Isabel Toledo coat and dress this morning for the inauguration. This is not the first time Obama has worn Cuban-born designer Toledo. Previously she wore the designer for a Vogue/Calvin Klein fund-raiser in June and has purchased many of her designs at Chicago store Ikram. The outfit will most likely be knocked off by ABS Schwartz by midday and be in Macy’s by tomorrow morning.

The Obamas arrive at the White House.

The Obamas arrived at the White House a short time ago to be greeted by the Bushes. Michelle’s best accessory was the gift she brought, the gracious person that she is.

The Gift

Tags: Ikram, Inauguration, Isabel Toledo, Michelle Obama.