Forever Tracy

IT’S BEEN 20 YEARS SINCE TRACY REESE DEBUTED HER SIGNATURE COLLECTION, AND WE FELL IN LOVE WITH HER BREATHTAKING DESIGNS. SHE HAS DRESSED MICHELLE OBAMA AND MERE MORTALS ALIKE—AND WITH THAT SHE HAS LEFT AN INDELIBLE MARK ON THE WORLD OF FASHION AND CULTURE. IN CELEBRATION OF THIS MILESTONE ANNIVERSARY, WE TAKE A LOOK BACK AT HER STUNNING CAREER

- Julee Wilson

In 1997 Tracy Reese launched her eponymous clothing collection and embarked on a journey that would see her become an internationally celebrated designer. Countless women from around the world, as well as Hollywood starlets like Gabrielle Union, Tracee Ellis Ross and Kelly Rowland, wear her bold, beautiful and ultra feminine ensembles. And as we know, former First Lady Michelle Obama is also a Reese devotee.

In fact, the moment Mrs. Obama stepped onstage at the 2012 Democratic National Convention wearing a sleeveless pink and teal silk–jacquard frock by Reese, the New York City–based designer became a household name. And Obama’s penchant for wearing Reese’s work continued to make history. The red and black floral dress Obama donned during the fiftieth anniversary of the March on Washington is now on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture. Mrs. O has also donated several of her favorite Reese creations to the National Archives.