Michelle Obama Wears Custom Schiaparelli Couture Dress at American Portrait Gala

Layla Ilchi

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Michelle Obama made a special appearance at the American Portrait Gala to celebrate close friend, Lin-Manuel Miranda.

The former First Lady attended the annual gala Sunday night held at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., to present the actor and Broadway composer with the museum’s Portrait of a Nation Prize.

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“I first met Lin more than a decade ago when he came to the White House to perform the opening number of what he described as a ‘concept album,’” she said on stage. “And let me tell you, I became one of Lin’s biggest fans. I was fan-girling for Lin for years. I think I saw the production three times, maybe more, but I’m not here tonight just because of Lin’s achievements on stage or in film. I’m here because Lin believes that it’s his duty to lift up those around him, especially our young people.”

Obama attended the gala wearing a custom Schiaparelli Couture yellow dress with a chain-like detail. In a statement from the design house, creative director Daniel Roseberry stated, “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 color. The acidic tone echoes Elsa Schiaparelli’s signature shocking pink, and we also felt that it matched the strength and energy of Mrs. Obama.”

The former First Lady continued showing her admiration for Miranda on Instagram, posting a photo of the two posing in front of his newly revealed portrait, which shows him dressed as his “Hamilton” character.

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So proud to present my friend Lin-Manuel Miranda with the Portrait of a Nation Prize at the National Portrait Gallery. I first met Lin more than a decade ago, when he came to the White House to perform the opening number from what he described as a “concept album.” And, as we all know, his little concept, Hamilton, became a global phenomenon. But what I love most is that he believes it’s his duty to lift up those around him, especially the next generation. It’s why he’s created a Hamilton curriculum for schools, made sure kids from all over can see his shows, and raised millions of dollars for Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. And it’s why he is working so hard to make sure folks are voting in every election and using that freedom that so many fought so hard for. 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. ……. Stylist @meredithkoop Hair @yenedamtew Makeup @carlraymua

A post shared by Michelle Obama (@michelleobama) on Nov 17, 2019 at 7:34pm PST

Obama and Miranda were joined at the gala by other Portrait of a Nation honorees Anna Wintour, Jeff Bezos, Nobel Laureate Frances Arnold, business executive Indra Nooyi and Earth, Wind & Fire. Other notable attendees included Hillary Clinton, James Corden, Annie Leibovitz and Prabal Gurung, among others.

Click through the above gallery to see more from the American Portrait Gala 2019.

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