OH how I love thee Michelle Obama, let me count the ways: The way you are not afraid to show your affection for your husband before billions, the way you have brains and beauty, the way when it comes to dressing to impress, you are the consummate professional.

I also love your loyalty, to your husband, to your family, to your country and to designers. Like a certain Jason Wu.

Four years after she waltzed into our lives looking resplendent in a diaphenous white gown by him, this week Michelle returned to the Taiwanese-Canadian designer for her second Inaugural Ball dress.

The loyalty paid dividends and he created for her a jaw-dropping ruby red velvet and chiffon dress, faultless in design and fit.

At the time of Barack Obama’s first Inauguration, Wu was all but unheard of. Just 26 years old, his fashion career was in its infancy and he said he had no idea the First Lady would be wearing his creation until he saw it on TV.

It is safe to say having Michelle don his gown did wonders for Wu’s fashion kudos.

Because, while here in the UK, we have been caught up in the “Kate effect” – ie. the Duchess of Cambridge’s ’s ability to shift stock - Stateside it is all about Mrs O.

Designers there would sell their grannies to be able to put Michelle in their pieces.

A Harvard Business Review in 2010 estimated that Michelle was worth a whopping $2.7 billion to the fashion industry.

Kate would have to shift an awful lot of Reiss dresses to come anywhere close to that.

What Kate and Michelle do have in common though is that they are living proof that you can look a million dollars without always having to spend it.