IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson The Making of A Style Icon
Nov 5, 2025
Join Michelle Obama, former First Lady and style icon, as she explores her fashion evolution from the South Side of Chicago to the national stage. She's joined by Farah Jasmine Griffin, a professor who frames Michelle's style within cultural and historical contexts. They discuss the challenges of media scrutiny, the significance of her 2004 DNC suit, and how representation shaped her identity. From practical wardrobe strategies to the impact of fashion as political messaging, this conversation celebrates individuality and the legacy of Black womanhood.
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Strategy Before Style
- Michelle Obama delayed talking about fashion to avoid being defined solely by clothes and emphasized leading with substance first.
- After writing books and leaving the White House she felt secure enough to discuss style openly as part of her story.
Prom Dress By Design
- Michelle designed her own senior prom dress in her head and her mother sewed it, reflecting a family seamstress tradition.
- She chose simple, timeless shapes and colors even as a teenager, showing early taste and confidence.
Tailoring Shapes Confidence
- Michelle credits tailoring and bespoke sewing for solving fit issues as a tall woman and shaping her appreciation for craftsmanship.
- Representation on racks was limited, so tailoring created wearable, confident looks for her body.
