In Chicago, in the middle of a ceremony around the future Barack Obama Presidential Center, Michelle Obama’s skirt almost stole the show from the speech. On this pencil model, a huge face: that of his mother Marian Robinson. A few days later, Alexa Chung and Dua Lipa also appeared with similar silhouettes. Everywhere, this same XXL pattern is intriguing.
This summer, the portrait skirt leaves the catwalks to appear on the red carpets as well as in everyday looks. The principle is simple: a graphic portrait, often in close-up, occupies almost the entire skirt, like an exhibition poster or museum souvenir. On paper, the idea seems almost kitsch; worn by good muses, it becomes an object of desire.
How the portrait skirt went from the catwalk to pop icons
The first wave comes from Acne Studios’ fall-winter 2026-2027 shows. Jonny Johansson offers pencil skirts printed with the faces of art students photographed by Paul Kooiker. Worn with sober knitted tops and pumps, these silhouettes had an almost corporate look, but twisted by this frontal visual which attracted all eyes.
At Versace, Dario Vitale chooses a more pop approach, with a skirt with Warholian accents that echoes the legacy of Gianni Versace and his spring-summer 1991 collection, marked by the “Marilyn Monroe” dress worn by Naomi Campbell. And then celebrities took hold of the concept, proving that the portrait skirt could move out of the front row and into real life.
Michelle Obama, Alexa Chung, Dua Lipa: triggering looks
In June 2026 in Chicago, Michelle Obama appears in a black top with three-quarter sleeves and a custom-made Acne Studios pencil skirt, where the portraits of Paul Kooiker give way to the face of Marian Robinson, who died in 2024. The gesture is intimate, almost ceremonial, to the point that Barack Obama says he is very moved. The portrait skirt then becomes a memory garment, which keeps a loved one close to you.
On the other hand, Alexa Chung has fun with a Hades skirt, printed with an image of Tilda Swinton in the film, which she wears with a sky blue shirt. Dua Lipa prefers a Versace silk version, decorated with a feminine portrait with pop accents, combined with a black lace camisole and boots. In all cases, the message is clear: affirm an obsession, pay homage, display a very assumed admiration.
Why we want to wear portrait skirts now
The trend resonates with the era of , where prints no longer seek to be discreet, and with the “freaky skirt”, which boasts volumes and unexpected details. In the wake of t-shirts bearing the image of celebrities, the portrait skirt becomes a medium of expression: it allows us to tell who matters to us, what inspires us or what makes us vibrate.
To adopt it without saturating the silhouette, stylists rely on basics: white t-shirt tucked into the waist, plain tank top, sober shirt or minimal camisole. On the feet, slingbacks, heeled mules or pumps structure the look. Those who prefer the discreet version can choose a black and white portrait, a pencil midi cut or an image placed on a single panel of the skirt, just to participate in the trend without feeling disguised.
What is a fashion portrait skirt?
A portrait skirt is a skirt, often midi or pencil, whose surface is covered by the XXL portrait of a real or fictitious person.
Why did Michelle Obama’s portrait skirt make an impression?
In Chicago, Michelle Obama wore an Acne Studios skirt with a portrait of her mother Marian Robinson, turning the trend into a very personal and moving tribute.
How to wear a portrait skirt without looking too much?
We soothe it with basics: plain t-shirt or top, neutral colors, few accessories, and sober shoes like slingbacks or classic pumps.
Sources
- Grazia
“Goodbye to the dress that sticks to 9 beautiful light skirts from Zara, Mango and hm to breathe all summer”
