Michelle Obama becomes First Fashion Lady

Barack Obama (L) and his wife Michelle Obama (C) are present at the presidential inauguration ceremony held in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. Jan. 20, 2009.

Fasionists hailed Michelle Obama's choice of inauguration outfit Tuesday, a sparkling golden dress and matching coat designed by Cuban-American designer Isabel Toledo.

The outfit, which Obama wore with soft green leather gloves and pumps, was variously described by fashion watchers as stunning, elegant and bringing fiery warmth on an icy day.

Patricia Mears, deputy director of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, said Obama demonstrated not just taste, but independence.

"We are very excited she has chosen Isabel Toledo. She is incredibly talented, and Mrs. Obama chose the talent rather than the name," Mears said.

"She has also chosen this unusual color, lemongrass, rather than the traditional blue or red. It shows her individuality and character."

Barack Obama walks with his wife Michelle as they depart the U.S. Capitol Building after Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States during the 56th Presidential Inauguration ceremony in Washington, Jan. 20.

Toledo was born in Cuba and came to the United States when she was about 8 years old. Already during Barack Obama's presidential campaign, Toledo emerged as a favorite of the new first lady.

However, the designer told a New York Times blog that she hadn't known her dress would be chosen until the very last minute.

"I wanted to pick a very optimistic color, that had sunshine," she said. "I wanted her to feel charmed, and in that way would charm everybody."

Toledo said that about 13 people in her studio worked on the outfit over Christmas.

"We're all grateful for this opportunity, and we don’t even have a PR person!" Toledo, 48, told The New York Times.

According to the usually well-informed industry journal Women's Wear Daily, Obama chose another Cuban-American designer, Narcisco Rodriguez, for the black and camel-colored attire she wore Sunday at the Lincoln Memorial.

U.S. first lady Michelle Obama waves to the crowd after dancing her first dance of inauguration night with President Barack Obama at the leadoff Neighborhood Inaugural Ball in Washington January 20, 2009.

Obama, 45, has already been named a fashion icon by magazine editors, designers and bloggers. Her fashion sense first took center stage when she was photographed by Vogue magazine in autumn 2007.

She can also shift seamlessly between avant-garde designer labels, including Chicago designer Maria Pinto and New York designer Thakoon Panichgul, and mass market brands such as H&M, J. Crew and Gap.

But while Obama is rapidly acquiring the title of first fashion icon, she was not the only one on the steps of the U.S. Capitol to draw attention.

Obama daughters Malia and Sasha were as perfectly turned out as their mother, with the elder in a blue overcoat and scarf, and the younger radiant in a pink overcoat and orange scarf.

Michelle Obama's mother, Marian Robinson opted at the age of 71 for a simple wool hat and red scarf.

But the most original outfit was worn by soul diva Aretha Franklin who sang "Let Freedom Ring" to the crowd. She wore an all grey outfit with a grey felt hat sporting a gigantic bow.

President Barack Obama, his wife Michelle, Vice President Joseph Biden and his wife Jill are escorted by Major General Richard Rowe as they descend the steps of the Capitol Building after Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States during the 56th Presidential Inauguration ceremony in Washington, Jan. 20, 2009.

U.S. first lady Michelle Obama walks onstage at the Biden Home States Inaugural Ball in Washington Jan. 20, 2009.