Michelle Obama's Proenza Schouler LBD at Essence Festival
Michelle Obama wore a Proenza Schouler fall 2026 black boatneck dress with fringe embroidery and grommets at the 2026 Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans. The dress, from the first full collection by creative director Rachel Scott, a Black Jamaican woman, was chosen for a live taping of her podcast IMO with Keke Palmer. Obama's stylist Meredith Koop also selected a custom Acne Studios skirt for the Barack Obama Presidential Center opening in Chicago, featuring a portrait of Marian Robinson, and a Fear of God T-shirt with the number 44.
Key facts
- Michelle Obama wore a Proenza Schouler fall 2026 dress at the 2026 Essence Festival of Culture.
- The dress is a black boatneck midi with a thigh-high slit, tiered fringe embroidery, and grommets.
- Rachel Scott is the creative director of Proenza Schouler, taking over from founders Jack McCullough and Lazaro Hernandez.
- Scott is a Black Jamaican woman and founder of Diotima, known for Jamaican crochet techniques.
- Obama's stylist is Meredith Koop.
- At the Barack Obama Presidential Center opening, Obama wore a custom Acne Studios skirt with a portrait of Marian Robinson.
- Obama also wore a Fear of God T-shirt with number 44 at the Obama Center's media suite.
- The Essence Festival of Culture is a celebration of Black excellence.
Entities
Artists
- Michelle Obama
- Meredith Koop
- Rachel Scott
- Jack McCullough
- Lazaro Hernandez
- Keke Palmer
- Marian Robinson
Institutions
- Proenza Schouler
- Acne Studios
- Fear of God
- Barack Obama Presidential Center
- Essence Festival of Culture
- Diotima
Locations
- Chicago
- United States
- New Orleans