Michelle Obama’s favorite designers show fall collections

High-end designers that frequently outfit the first lady are showing their latest collections at New York Fashion Week.

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Jan. 20, 2009

Michelle Obama's inaugural evening gown, a white, one-shouldered Jason Wu creation, catapulted the 26-year-old Taipei-born designer into the spotlight in 2009. The choice of a sleeveless gown made her the second first lady to do so; Nancy Reagan opted for the style as well.

Richard A. Lipski / The Washington Post

Feb. 7, 2012

Designer Jason Wu attends a model fitting in preparation for his fall 2012 Fashion Week show in New York. His shows have increasingly become a hot ticket during the week of presentations, and his recent collaboration with Target made headlines for quickly selling out online and in stores.

Charles Sykes / AP

Feb. 10, 2012

Wu presented his fall 2012 collection in dramatic form during Fashion Week in New York. Models walked through red fortress doors in a clearly Chinese-inspired show.

Jason DeCrow / AP

Feb. 10, 2012

Wu said in a interview before the show that he returned to China 18 months ago -- his first time in years -- and the influence clearly showed in the red hues that dominated the sports wear.

Jason DeCrow / AP

Feb. 10, 2012

Wu presented three takes on the Chinese elements, experimenting with military uniforms, the ornate flare symbolic of the Qing Dynasty and Hollywood’s interpretation of Chinese fashion.

Jason DeCrow / AP

Feb. 10, 2012

The last look from Jason Wu’s fall 2012 collection paired a striking black wool jacket with mink trim, epaulets and crystal embroidery and a black etched skirt.

Fernanda Calfat / G

Feb. 10, 2012

Wu played with brocades and hats topped with tassels and a gold knob in an take on ornate embroideries of the Qing Dynasty.

Jason DeCrow / AP

Feb. 10, 2012

Wu said he was a fan of Hollywood’s portrayal of Chinese dress in the 1930s and ’40s, including the movie “Shanghai Express.”

Jason DeCrow / AP

May 2010

Michelle Obama sported an elegant red gown by designer Prabal Gurung for the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in May 2010. Gurung is one of the designers she repeatedly turns to when she attends high-end events.

Jonathan Ernst / Reuters

Feb. 11, 2012

Designer Prabal Gurung gives an interview backstage before his fall 2012 fashion show. The Nepalese designer said Michelle Obama’s effect has had a tremendously positive impact on his business.

Stephen Chernin / AP

Feb. 11, 2012

The title of the Prabal Gurung fall 2012 collection was “Uncursed,” matching the evolution from hard, black pieces to more ethereal gold lame and white gowns.

Eduardo Munoz / Reuters

Feb. 11, 2012

Touches of cobalt blue and swirled patterns appeared in the middle of Prabal Gurung's fall 2012 collection, adding a rich color between the heavily black beginning and lighter end.

Stephen Chernin / AP

Feb. 11, 2012

Embroidered sweaters and flared skirts dotted in between full-length gowns and narrow trousers at the Prabal Gurung fall 2012 fashion show.

Andy Kropa / Getty Images

Feb. 12, 2012

Gurung also incorporated some Asian influences, mixing a steer’s skull into blue and black prints, beaded sweaters and a varsity jacket, in his fall 2012 collection in a nod to a Ming dynasty porcelain pattern.

Andy Kropa / Getty Images

Feb. 12, 2012

The final look of the presentation was an elaborate tulle gown with hand-sewn embroidery, sheer panels and ostrich feathers.

Eduardo Munoz / Reuters

Feb. 12, 2012

Gurung explained that his use of gold in his fall 2012 collection was more celebratory than flashy, as it is in Asian culture.

Andy Kropa / Getty Images

Aug. 28, 2008

Michelle Obama wore a tailored, Radzimir Kimono dress from Thakoon’s pre-spring 2009 collection at the Democratic National Convention in 2008. The designer has become a favorite of the first lady.

Joe Raedle / Getty Images

Feb. 12, 2012

Designer Thakoon Panichgul thanks the audience after the Thakoon fall 2012 collection during Fashion Week in New York.

Andrew Burton / AP

Feb. 12, 2012

Panichgul showed several paper-bag waisted skirts in his fall 2012 presentation, which was held in the ballroom at the Plaza Hotel.

Andrew Burton / AP

Feb. 12, 2012

Fuchsias, pinks and reds were the central color palate of the Thakoon fall 2012 collection, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Andrew Burton / AP

Feb. 12, 2012

Panichgul completed the red and pink ensembles with red lipstick and patent heels of the same color.

Andrew Burton / AP

Feb. 12, 2012

The Thakoon fall 2012 collection also featured mixed bright neon colors with blacks, which accentuated the saturation of the hues.

Andrew Burton / AP

Feb. 12, 2012

His tops and dresses resembled outerwear, with PVC tops and a black tuxedo dress.

Andrew Burton / AP

Sept. 14, 2001

The first lady chose a shimmering green, peacock print by American designer Chris Benz for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute's 34th Annual Awards Gala at the Washington Convention Center. She also wore a blue and green printed dress for an appearance on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” last summer.

/ Getty Images

Feb. 13, 2012

Singer Debbie Harry and designer Chris Benz attend the Chris Benz fall 2012 presentation during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Avery Fisher Hall Grand Promenade in New York. “I was in the mood for dressing up again,” the American designer said before his presentation.

Brian Ach / Getty Images

Feb. 13, 2012

Chris Benz channeled an old-school glamor for his fall 2012 collection, with tea-length skirts and full bottoms resembling petticoats.

/ AP

Feb. 13, 2012

Chris Benz used a lot of silken fabrics for his fall 2012 line, most with a glossy sheen, that radiated as models stood in front of a golden background.

/ AP

Feb. 13, 2012

Pencil skirts and coats with bracelet-length sleeves were reminiscent of Jackie Kennedy-era style during Chris Benz’s Fashion Week presentation.

/ AP

Feb. 13, 2012

Benz also showed cigarette pants and long gloves in bright hues of red and yellow.

/ AP

Feb. 13, 2012

Benz used a few heavy, ornate fabrics, a trend that has appeared in other shows during the week.

/ AP

Jan. 25, 2011

The first lady wore a gray sheath dress by Rachel Roy during the State of the Union Address in 2011.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

Feb. 13, 2012

Designer Rachel Roy attends the Rachel Roy fall 2012 presentation during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Michelle Obama has worn many of the American designer’s pieces, including trench coats, cotton jackets, printed skirts and bright dresses.

Cindy Ord / Getty Images

Feb. 13, 2012

Rachel Roy drew inspiration from the documentary “Women in the Dirt,” which depicts female landscape artists, for her fall 2012 collection.

Allison Joyce / Reuters

Feb. 13, 2012

Roy’s interest in urban landscaping and rooftop gardens translated into the collection. During the presentation, models stood near mosses, stones and wood chips.

Cindy Ord

Feb. 13, 2012

Roy used natural tones such as green and aubergine throughout the collection.

Allison Joyce / Reuters

Feb. 13, 2012

Roy also mixed colors and prints for a modern blend in her fall 2012 collection.

/ AP

Feb. 13, 2012

Driving gloves and matching woven clutches completed the overall looks during Roy’s fall 2012 presentation.

Allison Joyce / Reuters

Oct. 13, 2011

Michelle Obama wore a dress designed by Korean-American Doo-Ri Chung to welcome South Korea’s President Lee Myung-bak for the State Dinner in October.

Alex Wong / Getty Images

Feb. 10, 2012

Doo-Ri Chung embraced her strong suit in her fall 2012 collection, showcasing beautifully draped gowns and blouses that had an ephemeral feel.

/ AP

Feb. 10, 2012

Chung also mixed some of the knitwear she has been working on in previous collections with the draped silhouettes.

Andy Kropa / Getty Images

Feb. 10, 2012

Many blouses and dresses had a twist-top, with high necklines, a trend seen throughout the week.

Andy Kropa / Getty Images

Feb. 10, 2012

Although most of the colors Chung used were soft whites and pale pinks, a saffron shade emerged at the end of the show.

Andy Kropa / Getty Images

Feb. 10, 2012

Chung incorporated leather in several looks but kept it feminine and soft.

Andy Kropa / Getty Images

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