Michelle Obama’s DNC Dress Designed by African-American Designer Tracy Reese

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September 6, 2012

By Jorge Rivas, Colorline

michelle-obama-dress-dnc2 — Michelle Obama takes the stage during day one of the Democratic National Convention in a custom designed dress by designer Tracy Reese. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

First Lady Michelle Obama’s dress at the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday was designed by designer Tracy Reese.

Reese, 48, is originally from Detroit, Michigan, and a graduate of New York City’s Parsons School of Design. Before launching her own label, Reese was head of the Women’s Portfolio for Perry Ellis.

“I found out Mrs. Obama was wearing one of our designs when she stepped out on stage to make her beautiful speech,” Reese told Entertainment Weekly. “In the midst of [New York Fashion Week] preparations, seeing [her] in one of my designs was a truly extraordinary moment.”

“This particular fabric is a rich Italian silk jacquard in a great formal design,” Reese went on to point out about the one-of-a-kind dress.

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