Wu-ing the First Lady
Jason Wu and Prabal Gurung are just two of the many Parsons grads whose work is favored by the First Lady.
This week, The New York Times picked up on a trend we’ve known about since Michelle Obama arrived on the national political stage, the First Lady loves Parsons fashion. The fact that Mrs. Obama is sporting designs by Parsons grads is no surprise, our world-famous fashion curriculum has been a force in the industry since its founding. But for many of our young alums, Mrs. Obama’s willingness to take a chance on them has been their ticket to fashion fame.
The Parsons-trained designers that fill Mrs. Obama’s closet include: Cushnie et Ochs designers Carly Cushnie (BFA Fashion Design ’07) and Michelle Ochs (BFA Fashion Design ’09), who rose to fashion prominence after the first lady wore a dress they designed on a Christmas in Washington television special; Jason Wu, whose work she sported at the Inaugural Ball; Doo-Ri Chung (BFA Fashion Design ’95), who designed the first lady’s state dinner gown; Chris Benz (BFA Fashion Design ’04), who has dressed Mrs. Obama on several occasions; Jenna Lyons (BFA Fashion Design ’90), president and creative director of Obama family favorite J. Crew; Prabal Gurung (AAS Fashion Design ’01), whose work was seen at the 2011 Governors’ Dinner; Tracy Reese (BFA Fashion Design ’84); and Peter Som (BFA Fashion Design ’97).
To read the full article, Wooing the First Dresser, visit the New York Times.