Audio By Carbonatix
Given her eight years at the White House, it was little surprise that Michelle Obama knew precisely how to dress for the occasion.
Continuing her long tradition of championing emerging labels and young Black designers, the former first lady wowed at Wednesday's inauguration in a head-to-toe plum and burgundy ensemble by LA-based Sergio Hudson.
The outfit comprised a turtleneck sweater and wide-legged bootcut pants, with a structured coat helping her strike the balance between understated elegance and power dressing.

She completed the look with a black face mask and one of Hudson's signature handmade leather belts, fastened with a circular brushed brass buckle. Hers was, of course, in a matching purple shade, though black and leopard print versions retail on the designer's website for $295 and $325 respectively.
The outfit -- and Obama's wavy, voluminous hair -- generated significant buzz on social media as she arrived at the inauguration with husband and 44th president, Barack Obama. "I am LOSING IT over how good Michelle Obama looks!" tweeted writer and podcast host Tracy Clayton.
Author Roxane Gay meanwhile wrote: "Hi. I'm Michelle Obama. Yes. I am flawless with my hair laid right and my plum ensemble. Thank you."

It was a huge day for Hudson, who reportedly also designed the pair of heels worn by Vice President Kamala Harris (she paired them with an outfit by another young Black designer, Christopher John Rogers).
Hailing from South Carolina, Hudson launched his eponymous ready-to-wear label in 2014. The brand describes its aesthetic as "immaculate tailoring and infusions of androgyny paired with overtly sexy silhouettes."
This isn't the first time Obama has worn Hudson and supported his brand. At 2019's Essence Festival in New Orleans, she appeared in a sparkling jumpsuit with one of his signature belts -- this time in navy.

The designer is yet to comment on the inauguration via social media, though he took to Instagram earlier this week to wish Obama a happy birthday. He posted a picture of her wearing a custom purple pantsuit by the designer, which she had worn on her Becoming book tour, alongside a caption describing her as "my forever FLOTUS."
"Thank you for supporting the brand and doing it so fabulously!"
Latest Stories
-
‘Who is financing all this?’ – Victoria Bright questions networks behind Ghana-linked drug trade
56 seconds -
If we don’t know Baffour Awuah’s charge, there’s a fishing expedition going on – Kofi Bentil
8 minutes -
Parliament questions continued detention of Baffour Awuah by EOCO, demands due process
46 minutes -
Baffour Awuah did not report to EOCO voluntarily; an arrest warrant forced him – Theophilius Dzimega
56 minutes -
Baffour Awuah case risks looking like a display of state power – Sulemana Braimah
1 hour -
Campaign posters, billboards take over Kumasi as NPP goes to polls
1 hour -
‘I’ve been told I’m also involved’ – John Darko says he’ll cooperate with EOCO if invited over Baffour Awuah case
1 hour -
Follow the evidence, not assumptions, in Baffour Awuah case – Victoria Bright
2 hours -
48-hour detention rule is not an automatic entitlement for EOCO – Victoria Bright
2 hours -
Baffour Awuah’s arrest is a political witch-hunt – Kofi Bentil
2 hours -
MT Asharami Ghana arrives in Tema as government pushes stronger LPG infrastructure
2 hours -
Weweso JHS wins 5th edition of Otumfuo Reading Competition 2026
2 hours -
‘Criminal law can’t turn every poor commercial judgment involving state entity into an offence’ – Victoria Bright
2 hours -
Baffour Awuah has shown willingness to cooperate, qualifies for self-recognisance bail – Kofi Bentil
2 hours -
NPP elections: Here are the 46 candidates seeking votes of 7,163 delegates
2 hours