Michelle Obama marked her first public outing in months with a boho-chic look at South by Southwest festival. It was a fitting vibe for the former First Lady to channel at the multi-day event, which is hosted annually at the nexus of modern Americana: Austin, Texas.
On Mar. 13, the 61-year-old took the stage at Austin Convention Center with her brother, college basketball coach Craig Robinson, to record a live taping of their new podcast. Dubbed IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson, the conversational weekly show sees the sibling duo grapple with listener questions big and small. The topic for Thursday's session was transforming grief into hope—fitting, given the year she's had. What really renewed my will to carry on, though, was the best-selling author's crown braid, paired to a Rabanne set styled by Meredith Koop.
Michelle Obama headlines a session at South by Southwest festival with her brother.
Obama tops her brunette micro-braids with a face-framing crown braid.
Obama's fabulous hairstyle created a halo around her face with rows of tightly wound brunette braids. Atop her head, several smaller braids were woven together to create a thicker braid that arched from ear to ear. Cascading curls fell to her waist behind her crown. As she walked, her ringlets billowed behind her like a windswept cowgirl riding into town on horseback.
Michelle Obama sports cascading, waist-length curls in Austin, Texas.
Obama records a live taping of her podcast dressed in a burnt orange lace-up ensemble.
Obama originally debuted her braids in August 2022 right before the long-awaited unveiling of her official White House portrait in the East Room. It felt like a symbolic choice for the former First Lady to don a more expressive style after years of sporting a perfect silk press while in office. The media mogul continued to wear braids on the 2024 presidential campaign trail with Kamala Harris, where Michelle frequently appeared to stump in support of the former Vice President's bid. At the Democratic National Convention, for instance, she pulled her micro-braids into a stunning fishtail braided updo with a deep side part.
Michelle Obama wears a fishtail braid at the 2024 Democratic Convention, where she appeared alongside her husband.
That said, I'm partial to long and loose style she selected for South by Southwest. It complimented the Western flair of her burnt orange lace-up matching set so perfectly that I can't help but tip my hat. Rest assured, the yeehaw agenda is alive and well.
-
Michelle Obama Lassos an Unexpectedly Western Look for SXSWShe seems ready for the 'Cowboy Carter' tour.
-
Kaia Gerber Has Carried This Tote Bag for Six Months StraightIt's finally back in stock.
-
Patina Miller’s Sultry New Manicure Is Reviving This Dramatic Nail ShapeIt's also easier to DIY than you think.
-
Dakota Johnson's Black 'Verity' Manicure Pays Beauty Homage to Kaia Gerber and Kylie JennerThe actor's nails offers a telling look inside Colleen Hoover's 'Verity' book-to-movie adaptation.
-
Doja Cat's Winged Eyebrows Are Even Sharper Than Her Cat-Eye Cut Crease at SchiaparelliThe pop star's feline eye makeup and slanted brows were among Schiaparelli's best beauty moments.
-
Lady Gaga Ditches Her Jellyfish Cut for the Chicest French Girl BobThe Little Monsters approve.
-
Gigi Hadid Opens Paris Fashion Week With an Ash Blonde Hair TransformationThe model debuted a cool-toned bob at her buzzy first event of the week.
-
Mikey Madison's Windswept French Twist Lets Loose at Her Pre-Oscars DinnerLived-in texture gave the star's classic chignon a romantic, modern edge.
-
Florence Pugh's Spiky Two-Inch Eyelashes Make Clumpy Mascara ChicThe 'Oppenheimer' star's goth-glam makeup took the spidery lash look to new heights.
-
Ariana Grande's Cherry Blossom Bun Is All Bloom, No ShadeThe 'Wicked' star was no shrinking violet at the film's Japan premiere.
-
Jennifer Lopez's Anti-Valentine's Day Manicure Embraces the Cherry Mocha Nail TrendIt's the perfect shade for solo V-Day plans.
