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Michelle Obama honors Anna Wintour at fashion center opening

Michelle Obama mingled with the fashion elite as she cut the ribbon Monday to open the Metropolitan Museum of Art's newly renovated Costume Institute in New York.The first lady inaugurated the revamped gallery, now named the Anna Wintour Costume Center, and spoke to an audience that included fashion dignitaries such as Marc Jacobs, Donatella Versace, Carolina Herrera, Diane Von Furstenberg and Do
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 05:  First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama speaks onstage at the Anna Wintour Costume Center Grand Opening at the Metropol...
First lady Michelle Obama speaks onstage at the Anna Wintour Costume Center Grand Opening at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.Michael Loccisano / Today

Michelle Obama mingled with the fashion elite as she cut the ribbon Monday to open the Metropolitan Museum of Art's newly renovated Costume Institute in New York.

The first lady inaugurated the revamped gallery, now named the Anna Wintour Costume Center, and spoke to an audience that included fashion dignitaries such as Marc Jacobs, Donatella Versace, Carolina Herrera, Diane Von Furstenberg and Donna Karan. Other famous faces included Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Stella McCartney, Michael Kors and Sarah Jessica Parker.

After+@MichelleObama+dedicates+the+new+#AnnaWintour+Costume+Center+at+@metmuseum.+A+great+#FashionMoment.+pic.twitter.com/FFZFokzmx9

—+Kenneth+Cole+(@KennethCole)+May+5,+2014+

The Anna Wintour Costume Center is named after the editor-in-chief of Vogue, which has twice featured Obama on its cover and once dubbed her “the first lady of fashion.”

Obama, who wore a green floral Naeem Khan dress, praised Wintour for her impact on the industry.

US First Lady Michelle Obama (2nd L) cuts the ribbon officially opening The Costume Institutes new Anna Wintour Costume Center at The Metropolitan Mus...
The first lady cuts the ribbon officially opening The Costume Institute's new Anna Wintour Costume Center at The Metropolitan Museum.STAN HONDA / Today

"I'm here today because of Anna. I’m here because I have such respect and admiration for this woman who I am proud to call my friend," the first lady said. "I'm here because I am so impressed by Anna's contributions, not just to fashion but to the many causes she shares and cares about, particularly this great American museum."

Obama said the new center will demonstrate "that fashion isn’t an exclusive club for the few who can attend a runway show or shop at certain stores. This center is for anyone who cares about fashion and how it impacts our culture and our history."

The Anna Wintour Costume Center will be the home to exhibition galleries, a library, a conservation laboratory, research areas and offices, according to the museum, which recently finished a two-year renovation of the center. The center's inaugural show is dedicated to master couturier, Charles James. The famed designer is credited with creating intricate and ornate pieces, as well as inspiring everyday wear like the infinity scarf, the wrap dress and the down jacket. 

This cover image released by Vogue shows first lady Michelle Obama on the cover of the April 2013 issue of Vogue. The issue is available on newsstands...
The first lady, shown here on a 2013 cover of Vogue, will help open the Metropolitan Museum of Art's new Costume Center named for the magazine's editor.nnie Leibovitz / Today

Obama was also scheduled Monday to attend two New York events for the Democratic National Committee, according to the White House.

Michelle Obama’s effortless style

Slideshow  26 photos

Michelle Obama’s effortless style

The first lady looks as sophisticated in designer dresses as she does in outfits from J. Crew.