Known for being one of the most glamorous and well-dressed First Ladies in recent history, Michelle Obama has been killing it since she first wore that white Jason Wu gown to the 2009 inaugural ball. Since then, she has graced the cover of Vogue (twice), has honored numerous designers with awards and is known as a style icon to women all around the world. But yesterday Obama brought her love of fashion to the White House with her Reach Higher fashion education workshop. Attendees included almost 150 fashion students and some of the industry’s greatest designers, editors, executives; the initiative was meant to promote education through the support, interaction and inspiration of these industry luminaries.
Stressing that fashion was more than superficial trends and looking great, the First Lady spoke about the hard work, dedication and passion that goes into the industry. “Fashion is about so much more than just a pretty pair of pumps or the perfect hemline. For so many people across the country, it is a calling, it is a career, and it’s a way they feed their families,” she explained as she addressed the audience. For the event the First Lady wore a sleeveless, navy blue dress designed by attendee Natalya Koval, a FIT student who had won an accompanying competition.
The event offered several workshops, a Q & A panel, working lunch and networking sessions with people like Anna Wintour, Jenna Lyons, Jason Wu, Diane von Furstenberg, Prabal Gurung, Eva Chen, Narciso Rodriguez and Philip Lim just to name a few. While trying to keep the event low-key and fun, the First Lady stayed on point, warning students to make the most of this moment. “Just don’t just sit here, eat the lunch, take a nap and go to the next workshop. Think about how you’re going to turn this into the next thing that you do....If you’re not going to do anything with it then give it to somebody else, but don’t waste it, okay?” she explained. “We want you to see firsthand that a solid education and the willingness to work hard is really at the core of what it’s going to take to achieve your goals: education and hard work.”
