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Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama (born 1964)
Born Chicago, Illinois
Michelle Obama's Milly gown
As first lady, Michelle Robinson Obama alternated between off-the-rack clothes, sold by American companies, like J. Crew, or more expensive pieces by established designers. She also commissioned emerging talent, such as the Chinese-born, New York City-based Jason Wu, who was just twenty-six when he created her ensemble for her husband's first inauguration in 2009.
In 2017, Obama selected a cotton poplin maxi dress by New York City designer Michelle Smith, founder of Milly, for her official portrait for the National Portrait Gallery. Not only did the material speak to the history of plantation agriculture in the U.S., but the geometric color block pattern also reminded artist Amy Sherald of the African American quilting tradition of Gee's Bend, Alabama.
Milly (active since 2000)
Cotton poplin, 2017
Loan courtesy of Michelle Obama |