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Michelle surprises NY-based designer by choosing her dress

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It's set to be the most talked about – and photographed - dress of the year. But until Wednesday morning its creator, Isabel Toledo, wasn't aware America's new First Lady had selected one of her designs to wear to the ceremony in which her husband Barack Obama was inaugurated as America's 44th president.

Michelle chose the lemon yellow brocade coat and matching dress by the Cuba-born designer from several outfits designed specially for the historic day. She accessorised it with green gloves and matching pumps.

Made from Swiss wool lace backed with netting and lined in French silk, the outfit was created by 13 people working in the designer's studio over the Christmas holiday.

"I wanted her to feel charmed, and in that way would charm everyone," explained 48-year-old Isabel, who admits: "We don't even have a PR person!"

Photo: Getty Images
With the eyes of the world on her, Michelle Obama steps out in the Isabel Toledo outfit