If you saw artist Amy Sherald’s portrait of former first lady Michelle Obama and thought, “Tell me all the things about that gown,” then you’re in luck.
Sherald’s portrait, unveiled on Monday at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, features the former FLOTUS in a white gown with striped accents and geometric designs.
Former U.S. first lady Michelle Obama and artist Amy Sherald unveil Obama's portrait during a ceremony at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery on Feb. 12, 2018. (Photo: Mark Wilson via Getty Images)
Obama’s gown is a custom design by the brand Milly (a design house she’s worn previously).
When Sherald spoke during the unveiling of her painting, she explained that the abstract pattern of the dress reminded her of the Dutch artist Piet Mondrian’s geometric paintings.
“Milly’s design also resembles the inspired quilt masterpieces made by the women of Gee’s Bend, a small remote black community in Alabama where they compose quilts in geometries that transform clothes and fabric remnants into masterpieces,” the artist said.
Michelle Smith, Milly’s co-founder and creative director, loosely based the dress’ design on this runway dress from the spring 2017 collection:
A model walks the runway during New York Fashion Week on Sept. 9, 2016. (Photo: Victor VIRGILE via Getty Images)
Milly’s president and CEO, Andrew Oshrin, told HuffPost that the dress is an exclusive for Obama, so, no, you can’t just go buy it right now.
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Oshrin said both the former first lady and Smith’s design “were inspirational for our family.”
Obama “epitomizes elegance, sophistication, modernity, and inclusiveness, which are core values for our brand,” Oshrin said. “I could not be prouder of Michelle [Smith] and our brand, Milly for this honor.”
Smith said in a statement to HuffPost that “it was an absolute honor to work on Mrs. Obama’s dress for her official presidential portrait.”
“I dressed Mrs. Obama on several occasions while she was in office, and am so grateful to create something that she will forever be remembered in by future generations,” she said. “The modern silhouette of the dress perfectly reflects her forward-thinking sensibility, and I’m thrilled that I get to be a little part of what was such a ground-breaking an positive presidency.”
This article has been updated to include Michelle Smith’s statement.
Oct. 28, 2013 'Amanda Lucidon made this photograph of the First Lady as she participated in a filming for the Animal Planet Puppy Bowl on the South Lawn of the White House.' (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon) This official White House photograph is being made available only for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photograph. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House. (Photo by Amanda Lucidon/The White House/Corbis via Getty Images)
March 5, 2014 'I love all the reflections in the mirrors of the First Lady and her staff in this photograph by Amanda Lucidon backstage at the Leading Women Defined Summit hosted by BET Networks in Miami, Florida.' (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon) This official White House photograph is being made available only for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photograph. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House. (Photo by Amanda Lucidon/White House/Handout/The White House/Corbis via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 16: In this handout photo provided by The White House, US First Lady Michelle Obama meets Prince Harry at Kensington Palace on June 16, 2015 in London, England. The US First Lady is travelling with her daughters, Malia and Sasha and her mother, Mrs. Marian Robinson, to continue a global tour promoting her 'Let Girls Learn Initiative'. The event at the school was to discuss how the UK and USA are working together to expand girl's education around the world. (Photo by Amanda Lucidon/The White House via Getty Images)
'March 23, 2014 'A great moment captured by Amanda Lucidon of the First Lady and daughters Sasha and Malia during their visit to the Great Wall of China.' (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon) This official White House photograph is being made available only for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photograph. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House. (Photo by Amanda Lucidon/White House/Handout/The White House/Corbis via Getty Images)
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