First lady's dress will join Smithsonian exhibit

The ivory one-shoulder gown that first lady Michelle Obama wore to 10 inaugural balls will debut on March 10 at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. (Photo by Martin Dougherty/CNN)

By CNN

Story Created: Mar 9, 2010 at 2:15 PM PST

Story Updated: Mar 12, 2010 at 5:19 PM PST

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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The ivory one-shoulder gown that first lady Michelle Obama wore to 10 inaugural balls will debut at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History beginning Wednesday, the museum says.

The dress, designed by Jason Wu, will join other first ladies' gowns and accessories on permanent display at the museum.

On Tuesday, the first lady will formally present the dress to the Smithsonian at an invitation-only ceremony.

"First of all, how good-looking is my wife?" President Barack Obama said on inauguration night, as he showed off the first lady in her gown. They danced their first dance of the evening as Beyoncé sang Etta James' "At Last."

The first lady had kept her choice of designer and dress style a secret until she entered the Neighborhood Ball, a first of its kind and one of the inaugural balls open to the public. It was the first of 10 official balls that the Obamas attended in January 2009.

Michelle Obama's ivory silk chiffon gown is embellished with organza and Swarovski crystal rhinestones and silver thread embroidery, according to Wu's publicists.

Other dresses in the Smithsonian's collection include those of first ladies Martha Washington, Eleanor Roosevelt and Laura Bush.

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Samia Brennan, Smithsonian said on Wednesday, Mar 10 at 11:57 AM

I thought your readers would be interested in a new behind-the-scenes video about the making of the First Ladies exhibition, featuring Mrs. Obama’s inaugural gown: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb5m2a6aheM This YouTube video gives viewers a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of the oldest and most popular collections at the Smithsonian. It features Curator Lisa Kathleen Graddy and Museum Costume Conservator Sunae Park Evans as they work on Michelle Obama’s gown and other First Ladies dresses.

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