First lady donates inaugural ball gown

She will have to hold on to the memories, because the gown is not hers anymore.

In keeping with tradition, Mrs Obama donated the Jason Wu design to the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History on Tuesday. It will go on public display in a new gallery for the museum's first ladies exhibit, featuring president's wives from Mamie Eisenhower to the present.

Dotted with beads and covered in fabric petals, Mrs Obama's gown was a star attraction at 10 inaugural balls held on a frigid January 20, 2009 to celebrate Barack Obama's swearing-in earlier that day as the nation's 44th president.

Mrs Obama said memories came rushing back on Tuesday after she saw the gown for the first time since taking it off after that whirlwind night more than a year ago - memories of the freezing cold weather, how hectic the day was and how she had less than an hour to get ready for the balls.

"But I'll never forget the moment that I slipped on this beautiful gown," said Mrs Obama, who wore clothes by another
up-and-coming designer to the event - a black-and-white silk twill, off-the-shoulder dress by Prabal Gurung of New York.

"I remember how just luscious I felt as the president and I were announced onto the stage for the first of many dances," she said. "And I'll cherish that moment for the rest of my life."

All first ladies since 1912 have contributed to the collection, though not all first ladies part with their inaugural gowns. Mrs Obama's donation has added significance since hers is the first gown worn by a first lady of colour. The new gallery will feature a total of 10 inaugural dresses.

Wu joined Mrs Obama for Tuesday's unveiling. It was his first time meeting her.

"I felt like I've known her for years," he said. "Dressing a woman is one of the ultimate connections."

Looking at the other dresses in exhibit, Nancy Reagan's one-shoulder off white gown by James Galanos was one of his
favourites. He also liked Jackie Kennedy's white dress. It was a coincidence, though, that his also was white.

"I was going for pure and I wanted the dress to come naturally. My inspiration was Michelle and the moment, but I didn't want to study too much into it. It was like an actor, when they're doing a remake of another film, they don't want to watch the original. I wanted to make it my own," he said.

"But looking back now, each dress represented the moment. Nancy Reagan's was very 80s with heavy beading, Jackie's was very 60s with 60s elegance, and Eisenhower's was very 50s."

When he saw the dress on TV on inauguration night, he was excited and "shell shocked" but did not think about the historical significance.

"It really dawned on me today that the dress will outlive me," he said.