Michelle Obama wears red Jason Wu gown to inaugural balls

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama attend the Commander-in-Chief Ball at the Washington Convention Center on Jan. 21, 2013, in Washington.

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First lady Michelle Obama made it a fashion tradition Monday night, wearing a custom-made Jason Wu gown to the inauguration balls.

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First lady Inauguration Day fashion

The ruby-colored chiffon and velvet dress was a follow-up to the white gown Wu made for her four years ago when she was new to Washington, the pomp and circumstance, and the fashion press.

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Michelle Obama: First Lady

She paired the dress with a handmade diamond embellished ring by jewelry designer Kimberly McDonald, and shoes designed by Jimmy Choo. At the end of the inaugural festivities, the first lady's outfit and accompanying accessories will go to the National Archives.

"I can't believe it. It's crazy," said Wu, reached at his Manhattan studio. "To have done it once was already the experience of my life. To have a second time is tremendous."

President Barack Obama also struck a similar style chord to his first-term inaugural balls: He wore a white tie with his tuxedo.

The red halter dress was the only one Wu, who went from fashion insider to household name on this night in 2009, submitted for Mrs. Obama's consideration. He collaborated with McDonald on the jeweled neckline. "For this occasion, it had to be real diamonds," Wu said.

He said he felt the dress showed how he has grown up as a designer -- and how Mrs. Obama's style has evolved to be even more confident.

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Michelle Obama, President Obama dance at inaugural ball

President Barack Obama called his wife to the stage, referring to her as "my better half -- and my dance partner," before the two danced as Jennifer Hudson sang a live rendition of Al Green's "Let's Stay Together."

"She makes me a better man and a better president," Mr. Obama said of the first lady. "I'm lucky to have her."

Earlier in the day, Mrs. Obama wore a navy-silk, checkered-pattered coat and matching dress by designer Thom Browne.

• Inauguration Day 2013: First lady Michelle Obama's fashion choices
• Thom Browne on Michelle Obama's inauguration outfit
• Complete Coverage: The Presidential Inauguration 2013

An expected 40,000 people crammed into the Washington Convention Center for Monday evening for the two official inaugural balls, which promised plenty of star power in the entertainment lineup.

Alicia Keys wearing a flowing red gown, planted herself before a piano and dished up reworked lyrics to "Girl on Fire," declaring, "Obama's on fire." Brad Paisley, too, revised his lyrics to fit the occasion, and began by thanking the troops "for keeping us safe."

Others expected: Chris Cornell, Jamie Foxx, Mana and Marc Anthony.

[gatekeeper96740]

And she looked just like Flip Wilson's Geradine "Whooow da devil made me do it honey" lol

[Toddwest]

Who cares what designer Ms. Obama was wearing? That pretty much sums up the mentality of the sheep in this country.....it's the #1 online news story.....stars in their eyes the sheep graze.......

[credibility2]

Wu should do all of her clothes. At least they fit her form and are flattering to its imperfections. Her wardrobe usually accentuates her flaws and are often ill-fitting.

[vpoc]

I can't believe Brad Paisley played at this piece of **** party. I just deleted him from my iPod.

[davedavedave11]

I can't believe your family let you live

[pedalit]

upon reading this profound revelation, brad paisley has sunken into a severe depression

[davedavedave11]

Two of the most priviledged and most white men in America both lost to a black guy from a broken home. How does it feel losers??????

Hey Koch brothers, good job creating the Tea Party, how's it working out for you

[Barry-been-inhalin]

Don't care that he is black or that he comes from a broken home. I would be proud to have somebody like Tim Scott as our President some day. The problem is what Obama stands for and where he came from. He did not go up in America....he spent a a large portion of his time in Indonesia. Not many people knew him

Hey here is an idea. Watch the CNN series on Obama and Romney. Romney's starts of when he was born with interviews from friends and family who have known the Romneys all their lives.

Obama's documentary started off in his teen years......hmmm kind of fishy don't you think? This is a CNN documentary as well.

[Barry-been-inhalin]

I want to say that that documentary of Obama started at age 19 when in college. That is pretty late to start someones life story.

[twmat311]

Sad envy and bitterness from those whose candidate couldn't win a majority.

Maybe next time...but probably not then either.

[Toddwest]

US Elections are massive rackets, from local to federal....we DON'T usually get good, decent candidates, nor government, because of these rackets....sure there's haters, but the overall feelings in this nation are becoming hateful because we're forced to live in fraud, not because we're lefties, righties, dems, repubs, hate blacks or anything else, people are angry because it's all rackets and our country is being destroyed by the apathetic ignorance of people who won't do something about it....you don't get candidates, you get criminal organizations which play games, who are in control of the law processes and keep them corrupt in order to run these country destroying rackets.....next time you're gonna have the same criminal organizations with different faces, so no, probably NOT next time

[lollyikens]

TMONTA67: Those that are trashing our first lady are just plain jealous and upset. Shows that the trolls are out in force and get pleasure from being critcal of them. You are right they should look in the mirror.

[ValWy]

Jealous of what?

[signseeker1717]

Beauty, intelligence, a terrific marriage, two wonderful children, the spouse of the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, great popularity among her fellow citizens. Yeah...what's to be jealous of?

[Hollif50]

A lot of bitterness and sour grapes on this page. You Republicans should have tried harder to win the election... Of course; I'll be posting the same types of slander and vitriol towards the next Republican president and first lady; if, by chance, a Republican ever ascends to the Oval Office again. But funny; I see these final four years of President Obama's term - followed by 8 years of Hillary... Just thought you'd like to know! Enjoy and nightie night....

[stamicrach]

At least this dress doesn't look like she ripped an old chenille bedspread off the bed and wrapped it around her at the last minute.

I can't tell if it is a combination of the fabric, the lighting or the angle, but this dress looks like somebody forgot to iron it.

[peter_out]

Taiwanese dress and Chinese shoes, Michelle, Barack, a match.