Designing the American Dream with Mrs. Obama in mind

In 1997, a Washington Post article suggested that “For one evening, the inaugural ball gown is the most important dress in the country.” For one young designer in 2009, the first lady’s inaugural ball gown was probably the most important dress in the world.

27-year-old Jason Wu is the creative mind behind Michelle Obama’s gown, donated to the museum in a ceremony yesterday. (I was lucky enough to be in the audience for the special event.)  Born in Taiwan, Wu was nine when his family moved to Vancouver; he later studied in Tokyo and Paris, before enrolling in the Parsons School of Design. He debuted his collection in 2006.

And in 2009? Along with the rest of the world, Wu saw First Lady Michelle Obama step out on television wearing his gown (he had no idea it was being seriously considered until that moment). “To say that she has changed my life is truly an understatement.”

 

As Director Brent D. Glass has expressed in previous blog posts, the museum is committed to telling the story of what it means to be an American, a story that includes overcoming barriers to achieve the American Dream of freedom and opportunity. Jason Wu’s achievements are an example of such a story. “I could never have imagined that, as a 26 year old Taiwan-born immigrant who came to the United States with dreams of becoming a fashion designer, that I would one day be standing here,” Wu revealed. “I’ve learned first-hand that America is truly the land of opportunity.”

Mrs. Obama is the first African American to assume the role of first lady and an inspiration to many. What was going through Wu’s mind when he designed an inaugural ball gown for such a woman? “The truth is, I was simply inspired by the moment. I was inspired by Mrs. Obama’s poise, grace and intelligence. I was inspired by the overwhelming optimism that she and President Obama represent. I was inspired by the fact that I was able to come to the United States to realize my dreams. I cannot think of anywhere else where this kind of opportunity could exist.”

Concluding his remarks, Jason Wu turned to address Michelle Obama on stage, placing his hands over his heart: “Thank you for having the courage and vision to choose a gown made by a young designer who didn’t fit the traditional mold. Thank you for reminding us all that in this country nothing is impossible. Most of all, thank you for allowing my story to be a small part of this incredible moment in American history.”

 

Looking at the gown beside her—which she hasn’t seen since the day she took it off—Mrs. Obama talked about the memories of inauguration day that came rushing back: the freezing cold weather; the hundreds of thousands of people flooding the National Mall; letters from octogenarians who said they never thought they’d live to see the day. “This gown is a masterpiece,” she gushed. “It is simple, it’s elegant, and it comes from this brilliant young mind, someone who is living the American Dream.”

Students from the Fashion Design and Illustration classes at Huntington High School in New York listened intently as the First Lady spoke. In 2009, the school sent Mrs. Obama a book of inaugural gown designs created by students. During the ceremony, she acknowledged the young designers, reflecting on how much fun it was to look through their creations. “You make us proud,” she praised and noted that Jason Wu is a young man who, not so long ago, was “just an aspiring designer like many of you students here.”

The donation ceremony, for Mrs. Obama, was “about much more than this gown. It’s also about how, with enough focus and with enough determination, someone in this room could be the next Jason Wu. Someone in this room could be the next Barack Obama. It’s about how the American story is written by real people—not just names on a page. And it’s about how something you create today—whether it’s a dress, or a painting, or a story or a song–-can help teach the next generation in a way that nothing else can.”

 

You can read Mrs. Obama’s remarks in full on the White House Web site. Her gown is now on display in the new “A First Lady’s Debut” gallery, part of the First Ladies at the Smithsonian exhibition. Visit the online exhibition for access to the artifacts and photographs on view, including 24 dresses and more than 100 other objects. Step behind-the-scenes with a curator and a conservator preparing the new "A First Lady's Debut" gallery in this video.

Dana Allen-Greil is the new media project manager at the National Museum of American History.

Comments

[Barbara]

Jason Wu certainly deserves the recognition and I'm glad the First Lady chose him. She's doing a great job with her fashion choices in general. Also, as a tall woman myself, I really like that Mrs. Obama is a great role model for tall girls and carries herself with style.

[เสื้อ]

I would say that it takes guts not to go with a world class designer

[cinta persahabatan]

The first African American first lady! Awesome! She looks beautiful.

[Charlotte]

I liked how Mrs Obama chose a designer that was not (at the time) very popular.. she didnt give in to outside pressures. The dress looked wonderful and proves that great talent can be found in many places.

[larry]

It is great to see the 1st Lady support a little known designer. It speaks highly of her commitment to the working class people over the rich and famous.

[Anne]

I'm so glad that a young designer can get this type of recognition. It is such a nice dress and manages to be classy and elegant at the same time. I wasn't sure about it at first, but it grew on me and knowing the story behind it makes it so much more likable.

[hamilelik belirtileri]

This was the first African American First Lady. I felt, imo, that the gown had to sum up all the years..not just what's popular in 2000..had to speak to all the dreams and past occasions as well as the present day. It was Cinderella, it was Martha Washington, it was Dolly Madison, it was the South..it was the North..it was the past and what the balls and dresses were in that time...the little girl dreams, the big girl dream..and all of this had to be captured in this first time. That's why I say ..it was a moment in time..and it was timelessness..and now, this never to be repeated event and the dress that captured ..also never to be repeated..will be in the Smithsonian.
Fashions will change, as they have..but this dress speaks to what it meant to me.

[Frederico]

What an incredible moment that must have been for Jason Wu! I love how open and encouraging Mrs. O is, how she's able to open the minds of those within the sound of her voice to the possibilities.

[Matthew Lord]

I didn't take notice of this, but my fiancee told me about it. I would say that it takes guts not to go with a world class designer, and I certainly respect that.

[Alan Poster]

This was the first African American First Lady. I felt, imo, that the gown had to sum up all the years..not just what's popular in 2000..had to speak to all the dreams and past occasions as well as the present day. It was Cinderella, it was Martha Washington, it was Dolly Madison, it was the South..it was the North..it was the past and what the balls and dresses were in that time...the little girl dreams, the big girl dream..and all of this had to be captured in this first time. That's why I say ..it was a moment in time..and it was timelessness..and now, this never to be repeated event and the dress that captured ..also never to be repeated..will be in the Smithsonian.
Fashions will change, as they have..but this dress speaks to what it meant to me.
Maybe not to everyone, but it was all I could have hoped for and more in one dress.

[Debbie Thor]

It was a bold move and one that made a statement when Mrs. Obama chose Jason Wu's design. She did not bow down to the pressure of selecting a world famous designer. She demonstrated that success is attainable for all who work hard and believe. It was a classy move by the first lady.

[Chris]

I like this idea of American dream that nothing is impossible. I think we should develop this further away that our own borders and help each other, create always more initiative and opportunities for designer internationally

[Image Consultant]

Mrs. Obama is a good example on how a person should be styled. She has she own style which reflects who she is an what she is about. I'm glad to see that unlike other first ladies she has not used the two piece suite for all occasions. Her stylist knows how to use Mrs Obama natural personal appeal.