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Michelle Obama wears a Prabal Gurung creation

Last updated on: March 10, 2010 13:01 IST

US first lady Michelle Obama donates her 2009 Inaugural Ball gown to the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington, March 9, 2010. In a continuing long tradition of first ladies donating their inaugural gowns to the Smithsonian, Obama unveiled the new Jason Wu-designed centerpiece to the popular exhibit The first ladies at the Smithsonian.

US First Lady Michelle Obama wore a creation by designer Prabal Gurung, an alumni of Delhi's National Institute of Fashion Technology, while donating her much talked about inaugural gown to the Smithsonian Museum of American History.

Michelle, who has been hailed as the First Lady of Fashion for her sartorial choices, wore the black and white sleeveless number with brush painted roses to the museum where her gown took its place alongside the dresses of Mary Todd Lincoln and Jacqueline Kennedy among others.

Gurung who was born in Singapore, grew up in Nepal and studied fashion in New Delhi had earlier spoken of his desire to dress President Obama's wife, describing her as his ideal.

"Michelle Obama has brought an enormous sense of glamour back to The White House with her keen fashion sense and by the way she wears clothing with confidence. I am proud to call her our first lady. To me, she is the perfect PG woman," the designer had earlier said in an interview to PTI.

The 46-year-old First Lady is known to prefer young designers over established high-couture names, choosing Jason Wu, a little-known designer who grew up in Taiwan, to design her inaugural ball gown.

For her first state dinner thrown in honour of visiting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Michelle had worn a hand made golden gown by Indian designer Naeem Khan.

Gurung, who counts India as among his main inspirations is already a favourite among the Hollywood set, with Oprah Winfrey, Demi Moore and Zoe Saldana among his clients.