Michelle Obama’s gown boosts Jason Wu

When Michelle Obama took to the dance floor at last night's Neighborhood Ball in Washington, all eyes were fixed on her elegant, one-shouldered ivory gown - a silk chiffon confection embellished with organza rosettes, Swarovski crystal rhinestones and silver embroidery.

It was created for the First Lady by 26-year-old Jason Wu (pictured), a New York designer who debuted his first collection in February 2006 and has since earned accolades such as Fashion Group International's rising star award.

It wasn’t the first time Michelle Obama had chosen Wu: she wore another of his creations for an interview with Barbara Walters during the election campaign.

For Wu, the patronage is the equivalent of winning the lottery - over and over again. However, he says that he didn't even know that the gown had been chosen until he saw it on TV with the rest of the world. "I had no idea," he told Women's Wear Daily (WWD). "I found out with everyone else which was pretty fabulous when you think about it."

And what’s the expert verdict? On the American Vogue website, style.com, they like the colour - “lovely, fresh” - but feel the full skirt could have been slightly more flattering. “It seemed to give her a little trouble while navigating a dance at the Home States Ball” - opne of the ten the new First Lady attended last night.