Inauguration Stylebook

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

The style of the First Lady has always been as much a topic for speculation as a President's foreign policy. The social and cultural counterpart to the President's political profile, her taste in design and fashion signals a certain cultural leaning America is apt to follow.

In seven days, Michelle Obama will officially become the First Lady of the United States of America. Her wardrobe choices won the race months ago. Inauguration day has finally arrived, and there has been endless speculation on what Michelle will wear.

To ponder that critical question, we sought out four iconic American designers -- Edward Wilkerson, Stephen Burrows, b michael and Kevan Hall -- and asked them to create Inaugural looks for our new First Lady.

"Michelle is a sophisticated woman with a vibrant nature and she should wear clean colors to compliment her personality and her rich skin tone," advises Stephen Burrows.  "She looks best in uncomplicated lines that accentuate her body type."

Designer Hall envisioned "elegance and sophistication with detail that will accentuate her statuesque and lean figure."

b michael, who is dressing inaugural poet Elizabeth Alexander and DC mayoral wife, Michelle Fenty, identified his favorite silhouette as "the mermaid" for its fit and curve-hugging form.

Michelle Obama has not revealed whose designs she will wear next Tuesday, but you can be sure America will be watching for the unveiling of the next phase in American elegance.

Homepage photo: Edward Wilkerson