A ball gown put on display at the Smithsonian? For Michelle Obama, that rates as awkward.
“Like many of you, I’m not used to people wanting to put things I’ve worn on display — so, all of this is a little odd, so forgive me,” the first lady confessed Tuesday morning at a presentation ceremony at the Smithsonian Museum of American History.
Obama, wearing a sleeveless cream dress by Singapore-born designer Prabal Gurung, was joined by 27-year-old Jason Wu, who designed the white silk chiffon gown she wore the night of the inauguration.
“I remember just how luscious I felt as the president and I were announced on the stage for the first of many dances,” she recalled.
She also mentioned how she had less than an hour to get ready for the ball after the inaugural parade.
“All of my friends left us in the stands, by the way,” Obama said, seeming to call out White House Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett who was sitting in the audience. “‘See ya good luck!’ I was like, ‘yeah, thanks,'” she said.
At the same time, Wu was at home and first discovered the first lady was wearing his dress when he saw her on television.
“Frankly I had no idea this design was being seriously considered,” the designer said. “Imagine my surprise.”
The gown can be viewed by the public starting Wednesday.
