Who is Isabel Toledo and why is her name a hit on the web lately? Well, Isabel Toledo is the designer of Michelle Obama's inauguration dress, that pale yellow number she is wearing to her husband's inauguration. Michelle Obama has worn an Isabel Toledo creation before, in June 2008, during a New York City fashion world fund-raiser. Apparently, Michelle Obama was very pleased with that experience as she chose to wear the Cuban-American designer's creation for her husband's historic swearing-in.

The web has been abuzz with anticipation about Michelle Obama's wardrobe for the
inauguration, especially the gown(s) that she'll be wearing for the many inaugural balls that the couple will attend. Well, part of that curiosity has been satisfied with this inaugural dress by Isabel Toledo. I'm sure her career will see a drastic increase from today. Here's the full report by MSNBC:

As the hours ticked down to the historic inauguration of Barack Obama, it was the question on everyone’s lips: Who would Michelle Obama wear?

Part of the answer was finally revealed Tuesday morning when the incoming first lady stepped out of Blair House in a dazzling gold sheath and matching coat by Isabel Toledo. Her bright color was all the more dramatic next to the simple red tie and white shirt her husband wore with his suit to his moment in history. Still to be revealed, however, was the larger question of which designer Obama would wear to the inaugural ball Tuesday night.

It was not the first time Michelle Obama opted for the 47-year-old Toledo, an avant-garde designer born in Cuba and little known outside the rarefied world of fashion. Last June, Obama appeared at a Calvin Klein fundraiser in Manhattan in a black tunic and palazzo pants Toledo had designed. Obama bought the outfit at Ikram, a Chicago outlet for Toledo's clothing line.

And here's more about Isabel Toledo from Wikipedia:

Isabel Toledo is a Cuban-born American fashion designer based in New York. Toledo was named creative director of Anne Klein in 2006 after more than twenty years of working solely under her own name; she was let go from that position in 2007.

Isabel Toledo was born in Cuba and moved to New Jersey where she attended high school and met her future husband and collaborator, Ruben Toledo. Toledo attended the Fashion Institute of Technology (NY) and Parsons School of Design (NY) where she studied painting, ceramics, and fashion design. An avid sewer from a young age, Toledo's work reflects not only a distinct design sense but a keen understanding of garment construction and appreciation for the geometric intricacies of pattern shapes.

In 1984, Toledo married artist Ruben Toledo and in 1985 presented her first collection. In 1998, she stopped presenting biannual collections, instead choosing to create on her own schedule.

Along with her husband, Ruben Toledo, Isabel was the recipient of the Cooper Hewitt national design award for their work in fashion in 2005. Toledo made her debut with Anne Klein at New York Fashion Week in February 2007 to critical acclaim. She and Anne Klein parted ways, however, a few months later.

Toledo was also the recipient of an Otis Critics' award named for her at the Los Angeles-based Otis College of Art and Design.

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