On Wednesday, Michelle Obama graced the stage at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on the final stop of part one of her book tour for “Becoming.” Aside from being interviewed by actress Sarah Jessica Parker (i.e. Carrie Bradshaw until the day I die), Mrs. Obama shook us ALL up when she stepped out in a fit that was so fire, I had to come out of my sickly hiding to report.
For the event, aunty O sported a shimmery yellow draped Balenciaga dress, first seen down Balenciaga’s spring 2019 collection. THEN she pulled out a pair of shimmery Balenciaga thigh-high boots from the brand’s spring 2018 collection. Honey, she came through. THROUGH.
Balenciaga’s really been having a moment lately under the helm of their creative director, Demna Gvasalia, and the transformation of street wear and high-end designer wear. I love Balenciaga (before Cardi talked about the sock shoes) because you can find sneakers, parkas, denim, in the same collection as you will find an ensemble like Mrs. O.
Robin Givhan, fashion critic at The Washington Post, said, “There was a time when Mrs. Obama — or at least her East Wing staff — chafed at the designation “celebrity.” Now, she is wrapping herself in its warm embrace. The Balenciaga ensemble was irresistible social-media bait. It was the kind of choice celebrities make to keep their fans entertained, to help the old songs feel fresh, to make each tour stop feel special. To get people talking.”
In the discussion with Sarah Jessica Parker, Lady O was open with discussing just how much scrutiny she’s faced. “You learn there are people in this scene who feel entitled to these things because they’ve done it for a while,” she said about working with fashion designers. “And I sensed that feeling of, like, ‘Oh, you think this is just yours? There are a lot of people out here trying to make it; young people, women, black folks, and immigrants.’”
I love how she’s really embraced her style throughout the book tour and even her work after being first lady. She’s been really stepping out and embracing her style, a moment that she talks about in her book. I’m happy to see how she’s showing us that fly fashion doesn’t have to be an age, a style, or even a time. We can’t deny that there were so many subjections put n her as a first lady, and a black woman as well. Even now, we see that there is a stated idea of…grace(?) that people want, and any woman who steps out of that perceived image is immediately type-casted, judged, and put in the spectacles eyes. So it’s reassuring to see what Michelle Obama is living her fashion truth, and living in the reality of the woman we have all known for her to be. This isn’t a “whoa, we didn’t expect this” moment, this was a moment of ‘becoming’ that I am so happy to witness.
YOU can be fly — but swing me some Balenciaga money so I can hop on the boat, too.
