Michelle Obama Picks Jason Wu For The Inaugural Balls

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First Lady Michelle Obama stuck with her penchant for going off the beaten fashion path by picking emerging designer Jason Wu for her inaugural ballgown.

The cream-colored one-shouldered dress, which had a fitted bodice and flared skirt, was a surprising pick for the First Lady, who has typically worn striking shades such as crimson or plum during key political appearances. Mr. Wu, a 26-year-old designer who was born in Taipei, has been designing for just a few years and only recently got picked up by major stores like Nordstrom.

The New York-based designer, who sells $3,000 to $6,000 evening gowns and day dresses that retail for $1,000 to $4,000, had created a dress for Mrs. Obama in the fall, which she wore in November for a major interview with Barbara Walters. Ikram Goldman, owner of the Chicago boutique, Ikram, where Mrs. Obama shops, had specially ordered that Wu dress for the future First Lady.

Mr. Wu could not be reached for comment Tuesday night. But, when asked in December whether he might design Mrs. Obama’s inaugural ballgown, Mr. Wu had said he wasn’t hopeful.

“Oh,” he had said at the time, “that’s a long shot!”