Ms. Obama and the girls. Photo Courtesy of AP/WWD.

Word has gotten out from publicists and fashion news authority Women’s Wear Daily that first lady Michelle Obama has endorsed yet another one of Barbara Tfank’s ladylike designs for a heavily monitored public appearance. It is said to be the fifth time that the first lady has donned a Barbara Tfank frock. She wore the ravishing outfit at a meet-and-greet in Gainesville, Fla., for a young girls’ after-school program called Girls' Place on September 17.

"A friend, who Tfank had shown the unusual fabric to, spotted the dress on C-SPAN and called the designer to tell her the news,” reported WWD.

According to our perhaps inaccurate tally, this means that Ms. Obama has worn Tfank to more public appearances than any other high-end American fashion designer, which leads us to ask: Is Barbara Tfank Ms. Obama’s new designer of choice? Has Ms. Tfank overtaken the feminine and playful aesthetic of Jason Wu?

With the election fast approaching, this would come as no surprise. Back in February, during New York fashion week, Ms. Tfank told The Observer, “It really interests me that the people who gravitate towards my clothes ... they’re women that are communicators—they have very strong opinions. I think that my clothes allow for women to show themselves, their power.”

Barbara Tfank at her New York Fashion Week presentation on September 10.

While Ms. Tfank would not comment specifically on her working relationship with the first lady, respecting her privacy, she did tell The Observer in an email today that “she represents all that is good about America.  Her inherent luminosity and warm personality can only enhance the quality of any designer’s work.”

The cerulean, marine and sky-blue mosaic print dress was reported to have been made of vintage fabric from Bianchini-Férier and is silk twill, according to WWD. The newspaper stated that the print fabric was created by artist Raoul Dufy and that Ms. Tfank had purchased the material at auction.

“I am honored that she chooses to wear my designs,” Ms. Tfank concluded in her email.

We’ll have to wait and see what else comes from this dynamic design duo. Best keep your eyes on the red-white-and-blue podiums.

The early aughts were good to Barbara Tfank. In 2001, the New York native debuted her line at Fashion Week and has spent the past decade distinguishing herself from the millennial labels. Her twill frocks are favorites of Adele and Michelle Obama, and indeed  FLOTUS wore a Tfank creation at the ever important State of the Union last month.

To wit, it's an election year, and Lady O's every look is under intense scrutiny. In some ways, however,  it comes as little surprise that that high profile females from all realms have taken a liking to Tfank's designs. With sumptuous fabrics, Ms. Tfank has a knack for designing flattering, feminine designs that harken back to the glamor of the sixties without feeling nostalgic.

We spoke to the designer about her line and her plans for fashion week.

You design clothes for powerful women… who is the Barbara Tfank woman?

It really interests me that the people who gravitate towards my clothes (Michelle Obama, Adele) they’re women that are communicators—they have very strong opinions. I think that my clothes allow for women to show themselves, their power. I think that’s a really change in fashion: women are much more empowered. I love helping people and I feel like I’m a facilitator.

Also, I’ve worked as a costume designer, so it's fashion with a costume design element, especially when I’m working with someone who is making appearance!

The real buzz is Michelle Obama wearing your designs for the State of the Union address! Congrats!

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