Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 20 hours ago
Go behind the scenes at the Obama Presidential Center with Louise Bernard, Founding Director of the Obama Presidential Center Museum, as she breaks down Michelle Obama’s most iconic First Lady looks and reveals how fashion became a powerful part of her legacy. In this episode of Behind the Seams, discover how Michelle Obama built a wardrobe that reflected her values as First Lady, championing a diverse range of designers, rewearing beloved pieces, mixing luxury fashion with accessible brands like Target and J. Crew, and pushing the boundaries by showing off her arms in her now-signature sleeveless looks.
From her Narciso Rodriguez election night dress and custom Isabel Toledo Inauguration Day ensemble to designs by Jason Wu, Versace, Thom Browne, Tracy Reese, and more, Bernard shares the stories behind some of Mrs. Obama’s most memorable fashion moments. She also reveals how each garment is carefully preserved for the museum's fashion exhibition and why the original pieces can only be displayed for a limited time.
In this exclusive tour, discover how Michelle's bold fashion choices helped redefine First Lady style, and how the Obama Presidential Center is preserving that legacy for generations to come.
0:00 Behind the Seams at the Obama Presidential Center
1:19 Narciso Rodriguez – Election Night (2008)
1:57 Isabel Toledo, J. Crew, Jimmy Choo – First Inauguration (2009)
2:43 Preservation
3:41 Naeem Khan – Anna Wintour Costume Center (2014)
4:11 Thom Browne, Jimmy Choo – Francois Hollande State Visit (2014)
4:25 Tracy Reese – Democratic National Convention (2012)
6:04 Prabal Gurung
6:24 Target Merona Dress
6:59 Kenzo (Humberto Leon & Carol Lim), Roksanda – Japan Visit (2015)
7:29 Tom Ford, Cathy Waterman – Buckingham Palace (2011)
7:59 Jason Wu, Jimmy Choo – Second Inauguration (2013)
8:29 Versace – Italy State Dinner (2016)
9:42 Michelle Smith Milly Dress – National Portrait Gallery Portrait
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*InStyle* brings fashion, beauty, and celebrity culture to life through original series, exclusive access, and expert insight—on the runway, behind the scenes, and beyond.
youtube.com/@InStyle
Go behind the scenes at the Obama Presidential Center with Louise Bernard, Founding Director of the Obama Presidential Center Museum, as she breaks down Michelle Obama’s most iconic First Lady looks and reveals how fashion became a powerful part of her legacy. In this episode of Behind the Seams, discover how Michelle Obama built a wardrobe that reflected her values as First Lady, championing a diverse range of designers, rewearing beloved pieces, mixing luxury fashion with accessible brands like Target and J. Crew, and pushing the boundaries by showing off her arms in her now-signature sleeveless looks.
From her Narciso Rodriguez election night dress and custom Isabel Toledo Inauguration Day ensemble to designs by Jason Wu, Versace, Thom Browne, Tracy Reese, and more, Bernard shares the stories behind some of Mrs. Obama’s most memorable fashion moments. She also reveals how each garment is carefully preserved for the museum's fashion exhibition and why the original pieces can only be displayed for a limited time.
In this exclusive tour, discover how Michelle's bold fashion choices helped redefine First Lady style, and how the Obama Presidential Center is preserving that legacy for generations to come.
0:00 Behind the Seams at the Obama Presidential Center
1:19 Narciso Rodriguez – Election Night (2008)
1:57 Isabel Toledo, J. Crew, Jimmy Choo – First Inauguration (2009)
2:43 Preservation
3:41 Naeem Khan – Anna Wintour Costume Center (2014)
4:11 Thom Browne, Jimmy Choo – Francois Hollande State Visit (2014)
4:25 Tracy Reese – Democratic National Convention (2012)
6:04 Prabal Gurung
6:24 Target Merona Dress
6:59 Kenzo (Humberto Leon & Carol Lim), Roksanda – Japan Visit (2015)
7:29 Tom Ford, Cathy Waterman – Buckingham Palace (2011)
7:59 Jason Wu, Jimmy Choo – Second Inauguration (2013)
8:29 Versace – Italy State Dinner (2016)
9:42 Michelle Smith Milly Dress – National Portrait Gallery Portrait
Subscribe to InStyle on YouTube:
youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=instyledotcom
*CONNECT*
Website: instyle.com
Facebook: facebook.com/instyle
Instagram: instagram.com/instylemagazine
TikTok: tiktok.com/@instyle
*InStyle* brings fashion, beauty, and celebrity culture to life through original series, exclusive access, and expert insight—on the runway, behind the scenes, and beyond.
youtube.com/@InStyle
