Yellow has long been a central part of Michelle Obama’s fashion lexicon. For her latest turn in the sunny hue, the former First Lady took it to an acidic extreme. She wore a custom lemon sherbet-coloured silk gown with crystal mesh bodice and overlay by Schiaparelli to the American Portrait Gala. The bespoke haute couture commission marked the first time the activist has worn or worked with the house, and fittingly, the creative process paid homage to both the brand founder and Obama herself.
“The inspiration for the shape originally came from the crinoline which is often found underneath couture gowns, but the real starting point for the overall look was the colour,” creative director Daniel Roseberry commented on the design. “The acidic tone echoes Elsa Schiaparelli’s signature shocking pink, and we also felt that it matched the strength and energy of Mrs Obama. It was such an honour to make this special gown for her.”
Obama attended the gala in support of her friend Lin-Manuel Miranda, who is now a permanent fixture on the wall at Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. “What I love most is that [Lin] believes it’s his duty to lift up those around him, especially the next generation,” she said of the Hamilton creator. “He’s someone who has, in melody and rhyme and connection, painted as honest a portrait of our country as I’ve ever seen. Love this guy.”