Michelle made waves in this Narciso Rodriguez red and black dress straight-off-the-spring-runway worn on the night Barack Obama won the Democratic nomination for president in 2008.
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Mrs. Obama shined on this walk during the inaugural parade in Washington, wearing this well coordinated outfit designed by Isabel Toledo.
(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)
Mrs. Obama is seen here in a fun yet classy number for day one of the G20 Summit in London.
(AP Photo/Joel Ryan,File)
Every woman has a little black dress, and clearly the first lady is no exception. She wore this at the Kurhaus in Baden-Baden, Germany for a piano concert and a dinner with the president.
(AP Photo/Michel Euler,File)
The fashionable first lady exudes elegance in this more conservative look to meet the Queen.
(Press Association via AP Images)
Mrs. Obama made headlines for this fashion-forward ensemble in Moscow as she accompanied President Obama on his summit with the Russian president.
(AP Photo/Michel Euler, file)
Michelle sparkles in this strapless floor-length gown worn at the state dinner.
(AP Photo/Susan Walsh, FILE)
Here the first lady rocks all white with her signature belted look on the red carpet, during an arrival ceremony with French first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, at the Prefecture, in Caen, France.
(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Looking cozy, the first lady strides down the south lawn in a chic, belted sweater-dress and calf-high leather boots.
(AP Photo/Ron Edmonds,File)
First lady Michelle Obama wowed spectators when she walked out in this sparkly, one shouldered, Peter Soronen gown to welcome Mexican President Felipe Calderon and his wife Margarita Zavala.
(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Here Mrs. Obama works a casual and hip look with plenty of grace with President Obama on their way to greet members of the United States Armed Forces and their families during an Independence Day celebration on the South Lawn, Sunday, July 4, 2010 in Washington.
(AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Pretty in Pink! First lady Michelle Obama arrives for a White House youth leadership and mentoring event at Wayne State University in Detroit, Wednesday, May 26, 2010.
(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Michelle makes a bold statement and goes casual in this salmon-pink ensemble as she strolls down the south lawn.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon,File)
This stunning dress worn by the first lady and designed by Jason Wu created a buzz when she wore this gown at the inaugural ball. It was so talked about that she publicly donated it to the First Ladies’ Collection at the Smithsonian .
(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Pencil skirts are a staple in Mrs. Obama’s closet. She wore this fitted turquoise skirt on September 26, 2011 to speak at an event in the East Room at the White House. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama wait for the arrival of South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and first lady Kim Yoon-ok on the North Portico of the White House before attending a state dinner October 13, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Michelle Obama attends an arrival ceremony for South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on the South Lawn of the White House October 13, 2011 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch-Pool/Getty Images)
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This slideshow highlights one of the most elegant and influential fashion icons of late — first lady Michelle Obama. Her style ranges from thrifty to runway and Michelle Obama has created a stir by breaking from the traditional first lady attire. She has cultivated her own style with a touch of flair. She has been known to rock fashion off the racks from Target, and custom designs by the likes of Jason Wu, Peter Soronen, Narciso Rodriguez and Isabel Toledo, just to name a few. Whether it’s planting a garden at the White House, inspiring young girls to dream big or befriending the Queen of England, Michelle does it with style and grace, leading by example on her own terms.