Throughout her eight years as First Lady, Michelle Obama has consistently amazed us with her seamless ability to convey diplomatic messages through her fashion choices. Not only has she developed a stylish public persona that rivals perhaps fashion icon Jackie Kennedy, Mrs. Obama has firmly established herself as a champion of American fashion and its thriving group of up-and-coming designers like Christian Siriano, Thakoon, and Jason Wu. Last night, in what could be a poignant full-circle moment, Mrs. Obama arrived at the Presidential Farewell Address wearing a custom-made, navy (at times, almost black) dress by Jason Wu.
Wu has developed international fame ever since the First Lady wore his ivory, one-shouldered gown at her first inauguration ball in 2009, and again, for her second inauguration ball in 2013, where she stunned in a ruby red gown of velvet and chiffon. Though she has promoted the works of various fashion talents on repeated occasions, it was Wu whom she turned to regularly for a wide range of events during her tenure, from the White House Canadian state dinner earlier this year to a 2009 visit with Queen Elizabeth II in England. Having been introduced to the Taiwanese-Canadian designer through Vogue contributing editor André Leon Talley, Mrs. Obama first wore one of his dresses for an interview with Barbara Walters back in 2008, shortly after the election.
The decision to repeat a favored designer certainly marked the first couple's efforts to close out President Obama's service to the country on a nostalgic note. To make his speech, the Commander-in-Chief walked over to the podium to the tune of U2’s “City of Blinding Lights”—the same song that played on stage 10 years ago in Springfield, Ill., when Obama announced he would run for president. POTUS then closed out his speech with the same three words that launched his administration: "Yes, we can,” he said. "Yes, we did. Yes, we can."
More on Michelle Obama:
- The Hair Evolution of Michelle Obama
- Michelle Obama Nailed Her Last White House Holiday Party Look
- Watch a Tearful President Obama Thank Michelle in His Farewell Address
Last Friday, in a move that's certainly reflective of her recent sartorial decision, the First Lady delivered her final speech wearing a red dress by Narciso Rodriguez. The American designer of Cuban descent is best known for creating the red and black dress Mrs. Obama wore on the night her husband was elected president in November 2008. It's moments like these that demonstrate the First Lady's understanding of the language of fashion and how even the slightest detail can arouse the biggest public sentiment.
Looking back at eight years of Michelle Obama's style:
