First Lady Michelle Obama is planning to bring together industry professionals and high school and college-age students with a strong interest in fashion, at the White House’s first Fashion Education Workshop next month.
The five-hour event, which will be held on Oct. 8, will include individual workshops, as well as a luncheon with a panel discussion and remarks by the First Lady.
According to a statement issued by White House social secretary Jeremy Bernard, high school and college students from Washington, Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania will be in attendance.
The First Lady will also host a “Celebration of Design” reception the same evening.
Established fashion designers attending the event include Prabal Gurung, Bibhu Mohapatra, Maria Cornejo and Reed Krakoff, according to the White House statement.
The purpose of this event is to bring members of the fashion industry to the White House and enlighten, educate and mentor the next generation of fashion leaders.
As a prominent member of the fashion industry, we would love to have you participate on October 8th and share your talent, expertise and advice with students who have demonstrated a strong interest in a fashion career,” the statement said.
Michelle Obama has a history of playing fairy godmother to up-and-coming fashion brands — her decision to wear a Jason Wu gown at the Inaugural Ball in 2009 helped put the designer on the map in a big way, WWD.com reported.
“The Fashion Education Workshop being held at the White House on October 8 is definitely exciting, aiming to lift up the opportunities for education within the fashion industry it goes to show the level of prestige that American design has accomplished, both as an art and as an industry,” Gurung said in a statement released to WWD.com.
The First Lady was recently seen wearing a bright yellow dress by Prabal Gurung and a sleek updo at a White House state dinner hosted by President Obama for African leaders on Aug. 6.
She has seen in several Naeem Khan outfit in the past years, including a green floral dress from Naeem Khan at the May 4 Met Gala in New York City.