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Home • Fashion

Obama Inauguration Ball Fashions

Inauguration Ball Fashions
By · Updated October 29, 2020
01
Style & Substance

This sleek tuxedo with Swiss cotton shirt and white silk bow tie is the creation of London-based designer Ozwald Boateng. The renowned Saville Row tailor says, “Barack Obama is a symbol of hope, trust and integrity.”

ESSENCE TV: Go fabulous this inauguration with these looks from Tracy Reese »

Obama Inauguration Ball Fashions
02
Suited to Power

Boateng also designed this navy two-button suit accented with white cotton shirting and a red silk tie. When asked what Obama’s sartorial goal should be on inuagural evening, Boateng suggests “clothes that reflect the beauty and greatness of what he has achieved.”

ESSENCE TV: Go fabulous this inauguration with these looks from Tracy Reese »

Obama Inauguration Ball Fashions
03
Regally Royal

“Project Runway” alum Korto Momolu designed this stunning silk dupioni gown in violet. The curve-hugging silhouette is accented with amethyst and black pearl details.

ESSENCE TV: Go fabulous this inauguration with these looks from Tracy Reese »

Obama Inauguration Ball Fashions
04
Madame Michelle

Designer Edward Wilkerson of Lafayette 148 brings the drama with this stunning look for Michelle. The design, featuring a satin back crepe floor length skirt with semi-train and
sequins fishscale jacket with fox collar and cuffs is simply exquisite.

ESSENCE TV: Go fabulous this inauguration with these looks from Tracy Reese »

Obama Inauguration Ball Fashions
05
Lady in Red

Michelle’s tall athletic frame will look amazing in this radiant red satin crepe gown, also from Wilkerson. The black opera length gloves provide the perfect dose of drama.

ESSENCE TV: Go fabulous this inauguration with these looks from Tracy Reese »

Obama Inauguration Ball Fashions
06
The Royal Treatment

Trendsetters have long turned to designer Catherine Malandrino for her feminine frocks. Here she sketches a silk double-face crepe midnight blue dress. A front satin drape tie and georgette back detail to finish the look for Michelle.

ESSENCE TV: Go fabulous this inauguration with these looks from Tracy Reese »

Obama Inauguration Ball Fashions
07
Mom-in-Chief

We appreciate that our new First Lady has curves just like us and so does designer Ashaka Givens. She designed this purple silk satin gown with matching iridescent silk chiffon overlay and iridescent Swarovski crystal accents.

ESSENCE TV: Go fabulous this inauguration with these looks from Tracy Reese »

Obama Inauguration Ball Fashions
08
White House Haberdashery

Perhaps because of the popularity of their Michelle cover, WWD followed a couple weeks later with a similar cover story for the Commander-in-Chief. Here, Brooks Brothers, which has dressed ten U.S. presidents, creates a morning coat with tails, a double-breasted vest and a formal cravat.

ESSENCE TV: Go fabulous this inauguration with these looks from Tracy Reese »

Obama Inauguration Ball Fashions
09
Front-Page Beauty

When the question “What Should She Wear?” appeared on the cover of Women’s Wear Daily, “the bible” of the fashion industry, we were even more proud of Michelle. Here, a sketch from Isaac Mizrahi for mother and daughters graces the front page.

For more designer images for Michelle from WWD, visit wwd.com.

ESSENCE TV: Go fabulous this inauguration with these looks from Tracy Reese »

Obama Inauguration Ball Fashions
10
Color, Color & More Color

A woman who is not afraid of color, Michelle Obama’s beautiful brown skin would pop beautifully against this Marc Jacobs design in canary yellow. We love the brooch accent to this creation, which is one of her favorite accessories.

ESSENCE TV: Go fabulous this inauguration with these looks from Tracy Reese »

Obama Inauguration Ball Fashions
11
Purple Reigns

Fashionista favorite Tracy Reese designed this soft wool coat for the First Lady to-be. “After all, there is a lot of outdoor time and you don’t know what the weather is going to be,” says Reese.

ESSENCE TV: Go fabulous this inauguration with these looks from Tracy Reese »

Obama Inauguration Ball Fashions
12
Change Clothes

“Michelle Obama isn’t bogged down by old rules, nor should she be. She proves you can dress powerfully and not wear a bunch of pantsuits,” says Reese of this charmeuse blouse with draped bow and soft wool pencil skirt she designed for her.

ESSENCE TV: Go fabulous this inauguration with these looks from Tracy Reese »

Obama Inauguration Ball Fashions
13
Leading Lady

Reese also designed this full-length gown for Michelle to wear to the inaugural ball. Luxurious violet silk faille with a rhinestone-encrusted bodice will look nothing short of stunning on our new First Lady.

ESSENCE TV: Go fabulous this inauguration with these looks from Tracy Reese »

Obama Inauguration Ball Fashions
14
America’s Tastemaker

“To me, what is great about Michelle is her individuality. It’s clear in her style and I like that. We are in a period of change. It is the right time to take risks and try the unexpected,” says designer Nicole Miller.

ESSENCE TV: Go fabulous this inauguration with these looks from Tracy Reese »

Obama Inauguration Ball Fashions
nicole miller
15
Couture Chic

“I had the pleasure early on to meet the First Lady-elect Michelle Obama…I respect her intelligence and family values and overall sense of balance,” shares designer b. michael.

ESSENCE TV: Go fabulous this inauguration with these looks from Tracy Reese »

Obama Inauguration Ball Fashions
bmichaelcouture.com
16
Mommy”s Little Helpers

Childrenswear designer Sally Miller makes sure the incoming First Lady and daughters are ready for the ball with these designs. Michelle’s sketch is a mustard chiffon and silk satin gown while Malia’s is a turquoise silk satin and Sasha isn’t far behind in a fuchsia number, also in silk satin.

ESSENCE TV: Go fabulous this inauguration with these looks from Tracy Reese »

Obama Inauguration Ball Fashions
17
Belles in Training

Our new First Daughters will be the belles of the ball in these creations from Ismodern. Sasha’s dress is a heavy silk charmeuse with a full pleated skirt and side pockets. Malia’s dress is a sheer ruffle top with heavy silk charmeuse ruffle and body.

ESSENCE TV: Go fabulous this inauguration with these looks from Tracy Reese »

Obama Inauguration Ball Fashions
18
All Dressed Up

Smitherman & Barnwell gives us their interpretation of Malia’s dress of choice for the big night in a black silk Shantung with fitted bodice and Swarovski crystals.

ESSENCE TV: Go fabulous this inauguration with these looks from Tracy Reese »

Obama Inauguration Ball Fashions
19
Girly Glam

Sasha gets the royal treatment in this silk shantung dress also from Smitherman & Barnwell. The bodice is fitted and the back boasts two large bows for a grand exit.

ESSENCE TV: Go fabulous this inauguration with these looks from Tracy Reese »

Obama Inauguration Ball Fashions
20
Little Lady

Big sister Malia will be picture-perfect in this sleeveless garden-length dress of gold tulle and matte satin with a gold metallic ribbon, also from Malley & Co. The ribbon is pinned in front with a silk organza chrysanthemum of ivory silk and metallic gold threads.

ESSENCE TV: Go fabulous this inauguration with these looks from Tracy Reese »

Obama Inauguration Ball Fashions
21
Sassy Sasha

The youngest member of the Obama clan will look adorable in this silk dupioni garden-length dress from Malley & Co. This collection of white bodice, luxurious red skirt and full red sash is sure to be a showstopper.

ESSENCE TV: Go fabulous this inauguration with these looks from Tracy Reese »

Obama Inauguration Ball Fashions
22
Kid Kouture

Malia will shine in this purple ensemble from ses petites mains. We love this hand-woven shantung taffeta dress with woven silk jacket.

ESSENCE TV: Go fabulous this inauguration with these looks from Tracy Reese »

Obama Inauguration Ball Fashions
23
Pretty in Pink

Little sis Sasha will certainly command her share of attention as well in this hand-woven shantung taffeta dress with tissue silk sleeves, also from ses petites mains.

ESSENCE TV: Go fabulous this inauguration with these looks from Tracy Reese »

Obama Inauguration Ball Fashions
24
Daddy’s Little Girls

Malia and Sasha will steal the show in these sweet silk dupioni dresses from Helena in soft pink. They are both paired with brown faux mink jackets, also from Helena.

More fabulous childrenswear trends are available for viewing on kidstylesource.com.

ESSENCE TV: Go fabulous this inauguration with these looks from Tracy Reese »

Obama Inauguration Ball Fashions
25
Puppy Poncho

For the highly anticipated Obama family pup, only the best will do. That’s why Smitherman & Barnwell designed this black quilted collared coat in velvet with elegant Swarovski crystals.

Which one of the Inaugural designs is your favorite? Share with us in a comment below.

ESSENCE TV: Go fabulous this inauguration with these looks from Tracy Reese »

Obama Inauguration Ball Fashions
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