As an educator and First Lady Jill Biden, like lots of her predecessors, prefers to maintain most photo-ops concerning the matter at hand and never concerning the clothes on her back.

But Wednesday’s appearance on the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History was undeniably fashion-driven. The occasion was the disclosing of the Markarian ensemble she donned for President Joe Biden’s swearing-in ceremony in 2021 and the Gabriela Hearst gown worn for the evening festivities that followed. The Latest York-based designers behind each labels — Markarian’s Alexandra O’Neill and Hearst, joined FLOTUS within the Flag Hall. From Thursday, their now-historic designs will likely be on view at the middle of the First Ladies Collection within the Smithsonian.

O’Neill had designed a blue tweed dress, embellished with a floral motif of pearls and crystals, and a coordinating coat with a dark blue velvet collar and cuffs. Hearst, founder and artistic director of her namesake company, crafted an ivory silk wool dress and double-breasted cashmere coat, with embroidery paying homage to the official flowers of each American state and territory. (The one for Jill Biden’s home state of Delaware was placed above her heart, a detail shared by FLOTUS during her remarks.) As an indication of the times, and a memento marking how the Jan. 20, 2021, inauguration was held throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the face masks the primary lady wore with each outfit may even be on display.

In her remarks at Wednesday’s ceremony, Biden said, “Clothing is art and articulation. It’s a manifestation of a moment of time. It’s history.”

She also discussed fashion’s changing role in her life, in line with a pool report. “Once I became first lady, I knew that individuals would begin to care rather a lot more about what I wore. There have been times once I welcomed that highlight, because I knew that my clothes could help me say something necessary. Like once I wore my ‘Vote’ boots on Election Day [in 2020] and my “Love” jacket during our first trip overseas. After which the more mundane times, once I wore a scrunchy to the bakery and it ended up on the nightly news,” she said.

After that line “got a number of applause,” Biden added, “I sit up for adding some menswear to this gallery in the long run as well.”

She also shed some light about why she selected the little-known Markarian label two years ago, explaining that O’Neill was “just getting began, the leader of a young, small team with big ideas,” Biden said. “Her designs seemed each timeless and recent. And that was exactly what I used to be hoping to seek out. Because young people showed up and voted for Joe in historic numbers. And I desired to reflect their passion, creativity and hope that day.”

Having befriended Hearst after meeting the designer at a Save the Children event that she had chaired, Biden said Hearst all the time pushes her to try recent things and step out of her comfort zone. FLOTUS told the gang that there wasn’t any convincing needed for the design of the Inaugural evening dress. Biden thanked Hearst for “making our vision of a very united America come to life. I’m so grateful on your talent and your friendship.” 

Wednesday’s attendees got a glimpse of the creative process behind those Inaugural Day looks on the event program, which featured designer sketches, in line with a pool report.

Before social media influencers and 24/7 global entertainment media coverage dominated had such a hold on the general public psyche, first ladies were arbiters of favor for many ladies. Think Nancy Reagan red, Jackie Kennedy’s pillbox hats and Barbara Bush’s double-strand pearl necklaces. Just as other museums have been moving away from stereotypical portrayals and discriminatory artist representation, the Smithsonian has made a concerted effort to encourage visitor to contemplate the changing role of the primary lady and American women normally over the past 200 years. The First Ladies Collection, which displays 27 dresses from Jacqueline Kennedy, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, Lou Hoover, Melania Trump and others, is one among the Smithsonian’s prized attractions. Along with the FLOTUS-worn frocks, 160-plus other objects are also on view. The museum has a sturdy collection that include the 61-carat Loree Rodkin diamond earrings that Obama wore to the 2009 inaugural balls and the Judith Leiber-designed clutch purse carried by Mamie Eisenhower for the 1953 inaugural balls.

FLOTUS had plenty of ethical support, due to her sisters Kim, Kelly and Bonny Jacobs; her daughter Ashley; granddaughters Finnegan and Naomi; sister-in-law Valerie Biden Owens, and nieces Missy and Casey Owens, in line with a pool report. Markarian is a preferred resource with the Biden family. Naomi Biden sported an O’Neill-designed cocktail dress for the after party following her White House wedding last fall.

In a phone interview from the National Museum of American History Wednesday, O’Neill said FLOTUS’ team had initially reached out a month before the inauguration, while scouting quite a lot of prospective designers. Speaking from the First Ladies Collection, where the inaugural looks had been swiftly installed after the disclosing, the designer admitted that the-did-that-really-happen feeling may never wear off. “I don’t know whether it is ever going to sink in. Definitely seeing it here within the First Ladies exhibit is useful. It’s still pretty unbelievable and mind-blowing to be included in such wonderful company here,” she said.

The Denver native, who has called Latest York home for 20-plus years, began her company in 2017. A team of 4 helped bring FLOTUS’ inaugural looks to life, with the support of other garment center resources for embroidery, sewing and patternmaking. O’Neill said, “It’s lovely that Biden could have chosen any big-name designer for the inauguration and she or he made the purpose of selecting a comparatively up-and-coming designer. It’s nice that she used her platform specifically to support young talent and an organization that the impact could be profound, [having subsequently increased her team to nine].”

Markarain also had the within track for what FLOTUS wore to the disclosing — a short-sleeved blue dress with a gold motif. Having made a number of potential dresses for Biden to wear, O’Neill was wishful that may occur. “I used to be hopeful — all the time hopeful,” the designer said.