A red lace silk gown adorned with crystals hangs in a display cabinet, as the crowds file past.
The dress, which was worn by Laura Bush at the inaugural ball in 2001, is one of many on display at the museum of American History in Washington DC.
The exhibition, which has just reopened, showcases the styles of First Ladies over the decades. It is one of the museum’s most popular, reflecting the interest many in the US pay to the trends and tailoring of the president’s wife.
As First Ladies have changed, so have fashions - from the dress worn by Martha Washington in 1780 which is hand painted, to the asymmetric silk gown worn by Jacqueline Kennedy at a state dinner in 1961.
Mrs Kennedy’s choice of outfits was unique in that they created a style in themselves and are still being copied to this day.
Many believe that First-Lady-in-waiting Michelle Obama is set to create a similar storm in the fashion world.
"I'd like to see her bring a sense of fashion back to the White House, just like Jacqueline Kennedy did in the 60s," says Mary, who is visiting the museum from Pittsburgh.
Style magazine Women’s Wear Daily believes Mrs Obama is an icon in the making.
"Michelle Obama radiates a powerful style all her own. So step aside, Angelina. You too, Madonna, not to mention the bevy of pop tarts, gossip girls, High School Musical grads and even potential Oscar divas, now all suddenly second-tier," it says.
"The American fashion industry hasn’t had a catch this big since, well, since another icon of Democratic chic took up residency on Pennsylvania Avenue in 1961."
The next big public occasion for Mrs Obama is the presidential inauguration and ball on 20 January. What she will wear to these is a closely guarded secret, but Women’s Wear Daily asked some top designers, including Oscar de la Renta, Christian Lacroix, Marc Jacobs, Diane von Furstenberg and Tommy Hilfiger to offer their ideas for an outfit.
Some go for a classic look, like the white floor-skimming gown by Diane von Furstenberg or the blue off-the-shoulder dress by Michael Kors. Others are a little more theatrical and outlandish, like the red white and blue dress by Betsey Johnson or the red caped outfit from Christian Lacroix.
Maria Cornejo, whose clothes Michelle Obama wore during the campaign, is one of the designers who contributed a sketch.
"I think she should wear something tailored. You want to look at the pictures 20 years from now and think they still look relevant. So she needs something that is quite timeless," she said.
Commenting on some of the other designs suggested for the First Lady in waiting she added:
"Some of them were really vulgar and lacked class. It’s the First Lady. I would put her in something beautifully made, tailored with some colour and sophistication."
Jade Floyd, who writes a Washington DC-based fashion and entertainment blog, has been paying close attention to the designs sketched out for Michelle for her own personal reasons.
"I watch what she wears very closely," she says. "Michelle Obama has already become a staple in fashion. She’s shopping at stores that the everyday American women can buy from.
The dress, which was worn by Laura Bush at the inaugural ball in 2001, is one of many on display at the museum of American History in Washington DC.
The exhibition, which has just reopened, showcases the styles of First Ladies over the decades. It is one of the museum’s most popular, reflecting the interest many in the US pay to the trends and tailoring of the president’s wife.
As First Ladies have changed, so have fashions - from the dress worn by Martha Washington in 1780 which is hand painted, to the asymmetric silk gown worn by Jacqueline Kennedy at a state dinner in 1961.
Mrs Kennedy’s choice of outfits was unique in that they created a style in themselves and are still being copied to this day.
Many believe that First-Lady-in-waiting Michelle Obama is set to create a similar storm in the fashion world.
"I'd like to see her bring a sense of fashion back to the White House, just like Jacqueline Kennedy did in the 60s," says Mary, who is visiting the museum from Pittsburgh.
Style magazine Women’s Wear Daily believes Mrs Obama is an icon in the making.
"Michelle Obama radiates a powerful style all her own. So step aside, Angelina. You too, Madonna, not to mention the bevy of pop tarts, gossip girls, High School Musical grads and even potential Oscar divas, now all suddenly second-tier," it says.
"The American fashion industry hasn’t had a catch this big since, well, since another icon of Democratic chic took up residency on Pennsylvania Avenue in 1961."
The next big public occasion for Mrs Obama is the presidential inauguration and ball on 20 January. What she will wear to these is a closely guarded secret, but Women’s Wear Daily asked some top designers, including Oscar de la Renta, Christian Lacroix, Marc Jacobs, Diane von Furstenberg and Tommy Hilfiger to offer their ideas for an outfit.
Some go for a classic look, like the white floor-skimming gown by Diane von Furstenberg or the blue off-the-shoulder dress by Michael Kors. Others are a little more theatrical and outlandish, like the red white and blue dress by Betsey Johnson or the red caped outfit from Christian Lacroix.
Maria Cornejo, whose clothes Michelle Obama wore during the campaign, is one of the designers who contributed a sketch.
"I think she should wear something tailored. You want to look at the pictures 20 years from now and think they still look relevant. So she needs something that is quite timeless," she said.
Commenting on some of the other designs suggested for the First Lady in waiting she added:
"Some of them were really vulgar and lacked class. It’s the First Lady. I would put her in something beautifully made, tailored with some colour and sophistication."
Jade Floyd, who writes a Washington DC-based fashion and entertainment blog, has been paying close attention to the designs sketched out for Michelle for her own personal reasons.
"I watch what she wears very closely," she says. "Michelle Obama has already become a staple in fashion. She’s shopping at stores that the everyday American women can buy from.
" History lesson"
Jade was one of the many who went out and bought an H&M dress worn by Mrs Obama during the presidential election campaign.
The yellow cardigan and blouse she wore on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno sold out after she revealed its High Street origins. "Actually, this is a J Crew ensemble. You can get some good stuff online," she told the talk show host.
There might be speculation about what Mrs Obama is picking for inauguration day, but it seems husband Barack has already made up his mind. He is thought to have opted for a suit and tuxedo from designers Hart Schaffner Marx.
The Chicago-based firm has been supplying clothes to the president-elect since the Democratic National Convention in August.A spokeswoman for the firm said Mr Obama had always chosen "very classic" pieces from their ranges but wouldn’t reveal any details about his inaugural outfit.
Even though it looks like he has decided, Women’s Wear Daily has also commissioned a set of sketches of outfits for the future president. Designers including Paul Smith, Tommy Hilfiger and Kenneth Cole offer their ideas, from the classic tailored suit to the more formal topcoat, and even the extravagant in the form of a bright blue Missoni suit.
There will be those who have no interest in presidential attire, but back at the first Ladies exhibition, Pat Lenor from Baltimore believes an interest in the first couple’s clothing can teach us something.
"I think it’s not so much about the fashion as the historical approach," she says.
"You follow down through the ages and you see the things that are chosen and what that says about the time."
Jade was one of the many who went out and bought an H&M dress worn by Mrs Obama during the presidential election campaign.
The yellow cardigan and blouse she wore on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno sold out after she revealed its High Street origins. "Actually, this is a J Crew ensemble. You can get some good stuff online," she told the talk show host.
There might be speculation about what Mrs Obama is picking for inauguration day, but it seems husband Barack has already made up his mind. He is thought to have opted for a suit and tuxedo from designers Hart Schaffner Marx.
The Chicago-based firm has been supplying clothes to the president-elect since the Democratic National Convention in August.A spokeswoman for the firm said Mr Obama had always chosen "very classic" pieces from their ranges but wouldn’t reveal any details about his inaugural outfit.
Even though it looks like he has decided, Women’s Wear Daily has also commissioned a set of sketches of outfits for the future president. Designers including Paul Smith, Tommy Hilfiger and Kenneth Cole offer their ideas, from the classic tailored suit to the more formal topcoat, and even the extravagant in the form of a bright blue Missoni suit.
There will be those who have no interest in presidential attire, but back at the first Ladies exhibition, Pat Lenor from Baltimore believes an interest in the first couple’s clothing can teach us something.
"I think it’s not so much about the fashion as the historical approach," she says.
"You follow down through the ages and you see the things that are chosen and what that says about the time."
Source: BBC World News 27DEC08
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