Michelle Obama's inaugural outfit sent a cheerful message of hope

She wore a lemon grass coloured dress and jacket by designer Isabel Toledo.

"Ms Obama is an unusual woman with great fashion instincts and innate style. And she has always supported lesser-known designers like Thakoon, Narciso Rodriguez and Isabel Toledo," said Patricia Mears, deputy director of the Museum at New York City's Fashion Institute of Technology.

Obama accessorised the dress with unusual green gloves from J. Crew and green shoes.

Toledo, a Cuban-born American designer known for her creativity and technique, designed the outfit with hopes Ms Obama would choose it for the ceremony, though Toledo did not know for certain until Tuesday morning.

"There is nothing that comes close to this moment. It's not just my moment and hers, but it's the world's. It's not only what she's wearing. It's what the moment represents,” Toledo said.

Article published courtesy of BuaNews-Xinhua

Footnote: It appears as though not everyone was inspired by First Lady Obama's choice of outfit, and the industry debate may just turn out to be as big a fashion feeding frenzy as the critique over her little black (and red) dress - ED.

See the photos and commentary here:

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