FILE - In this Jan. 21, 2013 file photo, President Barack Obama bows as he and first lady Michelle Obama, wearing a ruby-colored chiffon and velvet Jason Wu gown, gets ready to dance at the Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center during the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington. Michelle Obama's fashion is making history again, at least for the next year, as her second inaugural gown will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution. The ruby-colored chiffon gown made by designer Jason Wu is being lent to the National Museum of American History for a year to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Smithsonian's first ladies exhibition. It will be paired with Obama's shoes designed by Jimmy Choo and will go on display beginning Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)
January 13, 2014 - 12:04 AM
WASHINGTON - Michelle Obama's fashion is making history again, at least for the next year, as her second inaugural gown will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution.
Obama's ruby-colored chiffon gown made by designer Jason Wu is being lent to the National Museum of American History for a year to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Smithsonian's first ladies exhibition. It will be paired with Obama's shoes designed by Jimmy Choo and will go on display beginning Tuesday.
While the Smithsonian traditionally collects each first lady's first inaugural gown, second gowns are usually shown only in presidential libraries. This is the first time the museum has displayed a second gown.
Curators hope to start a new tradition of temporarily displaying these second gowns before they go to the National Archives.
News from © The Associated Press, 2014