Michelle Obama’s tenure as First Lady of the United States will end in January 2017. Over the past eight years, she has turned herself into a trendsetter and a fashion icon. Helen Beaumont looks back on how as First Lady, Michelle Obama crafted a style legacy which will influence generations to come.

Matching Jackie

Since the United States was born, First Ladies have become global fashion trendsetters. The most famous was Jackie Kennedy, who after entering the White House in 1961, injected some much needed excitement into conservative 1950s styles. Over her tenure as First Lady, Jackie became famous for her pillbox hats, oversized sunglasses, chic A-line dresses and big, fabulous hair.

Some First Ladies who followed, such as Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush and Hillary Clinton all knew the importance of style. For example in her time as First Lady, Hillary Clinton popularised the pant suit, reflecting women’s changing prioritises as they entered the workforce. But even though some came close, no First Lady has quite matched up to the legendary Jackie Kennedy. Then came Michelle.

Michelle’s rise

In a recent piece, the Mirror argues that Michelle Obama is the best First Lady, in terms of style, since Jackie.  A lawyer by trade, nobody expected Michelle to become a trendsetter when she first appeared on the political scene in the early 00s, when her husband Barack was elected to the US Senate. But after Barack started running to become President, his wife’s style credentials soon became clear.

While supporting Barack on the campaign trail, Michelle used fashion to convince voters that she was one of them. She supported high street brands, over designer labels, to appear down to earth. She notably re-used this tactic in her husband’s re-election campaign, famously wearing a £24 H&M dress on The Today Show, as well as a £65 checked ASOS dress when Barack was re-elected and which she was first seen wearing in 2011.  Nothing says ‘one of us’ like wearing something more than once.

Global icon

After Barack won, she fleshed out her fashion credentials. Following in Jackie’s footsteps, Michelle established her own trademark piece in 2009 by wearing a sleeveless dress. These items have since become staples of her wardrobe and by wearing them, she has made it socially acceptable for middle-aged women to bear their upper arms in public. Ironically, she was criticised for it at the time.

During her husband’s Presidency, Michelle also promoted the US fashion industry, by favouring domestic designers. Throughout her early years as First Lady, Michelle wore pieces from American designers such as Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Naaem Khan and Ralph Lauren. Her decision to don a Narsico Rodriguez dress at Barack’s election night victory party in 2008 was particularly inspired.

This has turned Michelle into a style icon, allowing her to gradually gain global recognition. In 2012, for example, Michelle wore a teal off-the-shoulder gown by Marchesa, a London-based couture house, to meet then Prime Minister David Cameron, to great acclaim. Although even Michelle didn’t always get it right. The First Lady was criticised in 2011, for instance, when she donned a dress created by UK-based designer Roksanda Illincic to meet the Chinese President, instead of one created at home.

Ultimate re-inventor

The reason that Michelle Obama was the best First Lady, in terms of style, since the great Jackie Kennedy, was that she re-invented how First Ladies dress. Throughout her tenure in the post, Michelle shook up the concept of power dressing, made the First Lady’s wardrobe modern and proved a master of mixing high end and high street, serving as an inspiration for working women everywhere.

Michelle hasn’t let the end of Barack’s Presidency put a damper on her efforts to promote American fashion. In November, she fronted the cover of iconic fashion bible Vogue for the third time, being photographed by the legendary Annie Leibovitz. Incoming First Lady Melania Trump, who was once a model, has a lot to live up to, if she wants to follow in Michelle’s footsteps in terms of style.

About Helen Beaumont

Helen Beaumont’s career started at Camberwell College of Art, where she studied the History of Art and Design, specialising in costume during her final year. After completing study, Helen became a costume buyer for theatre and opera. She has since become a professional costume designer, with a keen interest in period clothing. Throughout her career, Helen has created authentic costumes for prestigious companies such as the Universal Studios, Disney, BBC, Tiger Aspect and the Young Vic Theatre.

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