The XX Factor: What women really think.

A Shout-out to Jason Wu's Parents

Maybe it's because I belatedly saw Milk this weekend, but my favorite part of the New York Times today is this, from a Style story celebrating Jason Wu, the 26-year-old surprise designer of Michelle Obama's much-discussed inaugural gown:

Even when [Wu] was 5, growing up in Taipei, Taiwan, his parents, who operate an import-export business, recognized his creative ambitions. His mother sometimes drove him to bridal stores so he could make sketches of the gowns in the windows.

Add Jason Wu To the List...

Michelle Obama really is avoiding the First Lady fashion cliches (Oscar de la Renta, Escada), isn't she? With the debut of the ivory Jason Wu column Jessica wrote about tonight, we can add Wu's name, too, to the list of semi-obscure fashion names that average American women now know. (Is there a Target diffusion line in Wu's future?) Style.com pegs Wu as a designer who "has the immaculate Park Avenue thing down cold"; Michelle has been wearing his work since last year.

Love the feathery texture and the drapey skirt. Not as sure about the bridal color and the asymmetrical strap. What do you guys think? 

(Oh and Dayo, you're right that the men are stepping up their fashion game today: How'd you like Jay-Z's Urkel-ish glasses at the Neighborhood Ball? He pulls them off, no?)

Fashion Flashes at the Neighborhood Ball

Though she chose chartreuse for the swearing in, Michelle donned a white, vaguely Wilma Flintstoneish one-shouldered Jason Wu gown at the Neighborhood Ball. She looked fantastic, Flintstone notwithstanding. The same could not be said of Beyonce, who sang Etta James' anthem "At Last" while the Presidential couple took their first twirl. B's ill-fitting satin dress was…unfortunate at best. Even though her stylist should be shot for subjecting Beyonce to breast crimes of Barrymore proportions, her voice sounded better than ever. We're currently watching Jill and Joe Biden dance to "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You." My boyfriend's fashion commentary on Jill's tastefully low cut crimson dress: "pretty foxy."