Daily Front Row

2009 April 13

Michelle Mania Continues

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(NEW YORK) Michelle Obama’s wardrobe is already making the museum rounds. Her Jason Wu designed inauguration ball gown is in the possession of the Smithsonian, while her lemongrass Inauguration Day ensemble will soon be on display at FIT as part of Isabel Toledo’s mid-career retrospective at the institution. ''I absolutely adored my Inauguration Day ensemble designed by Isabel Toledo, and I am happy it will be part of the exhibit so that others can appreciate the creativity and craftsmanship of one of America’s great female designers,” said Obama in a statement. The exhibition will also highlight approximately 70 other chosen looks by the designer from the mid-1980s to the present, along with mannequins and drawings by her husband, Ruben Toledo, with whom she works and collaborates.

"Isabel Toledo has long been admired by fashion insiders but unknown to the public at large," added Valerie Steele, director and chief curator of The Museum at FIT. "When Michelle Obama wore Isabel Toledo's beautiful golden ensemble for the Inauguration, suddenly everyone in the world saw what this great designer can do. We are absolutely delighted that Mrs. Obama has agreed to lend this now-historic ensemble to the museum’s forthcoming exhibition, Isabel Toledo: Fashion from the Inside Out."  This will be the first time that the First Lady’s historic look will be on public display. The exhibit opens on June 17 and runs through September 26.
VALENTINE UHOVSKI