INAUGURAL BALLS 2009

More than any other article of clothing, Obama’s white silk- chiffon inaugural gown will come to symbolize her years in the East Wing. It catapulted designer Jason Wu, then 26 and relatively unknown outside of the fashion industry, to the national stage, a vote of confidence and publicity she would give many designers over her tenure. The stark white gave Obama an ethereal presence, conveying to the country the excitement of new beginnings.