First Lady’s Dress Could Have Its Own Political Life

Now that First Lady Laura Bush has twirled her inaugural gown across Washington, D.C., its fate as a historic relic rests with her.

Bush isn’t required to save her dress for posterity, though most first ladies since World War II have donated their inaugural gowns to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History for the exhibit “First Ladies: Political Role in Public Image.” Exhibit curator Edith Mayo said that eventually museum officials will request that Bush donate the gown and other ensembles that represent her social and ceremonial roles.

The inaugural gown--a crimson, beaded dress by Dallas designer Michael Faircloth--received neither praise nor stinging criticism. However, Mayo said it stands to become a notable addition to the exhibit.

“There are no other red [inaugural] dresses anywhere else in history,” she said. “For years, the color red has been associated with prostitutes. . . . Of course that idea has gone by the wayside so that no one even thinks of it anymore.”

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A year after leaving his design post at Halston, Kevan Hall is planning to open an atelier offering custom-made day and evening wear and exclusive selections from his revived ready-to-wear collection.

Hall, who lives in the San Fernando Valley, suspended his signature ready-to-wear collection during his short reign at Halston but plans to get it into stores again by fall. His new salon, which should open near the Beverly Center by late March, will also offer a selection of furs, accessories and home decor.

To trumpet his return to dressmaking, Hall created the caviar-beaded turquoise gown that hugged every curve on Christine Lahti at the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday.

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L.A.’s Costume Designers Guild will honor two-time Academy Award winner Milena Canonero with its Career Achievement Award in March. She has won Oscars for “Barry Lyndon” and “Chariots of Fire.”