Although it will be her first trip to South Africa, it is not the first time Mrs Obama will have the chance to promote local design.
Known for championing less-well-known designers, Mrs Obama chose a St. Erasmus necklace for the White House Correspondents Dinner in 2009. Designed by South African Pieter St. Erasmus, she bought the necklace herself (i.e. it was not a gift, or purchased through a stylist) and has continued to wear it - most recently on the campaign trail.
Erasmus, who designs under the label St. Erasmus, saw an immediate growth in sales as a result of the First Lady's patronage. “Since Mrs. O wore one of my necklaces I have hardly had time to sleep,” said Erasmus at the time. “Our web-site crashed a few times because the traffic on sterasmus.com is just incredible.”
According to a statement released by the White House the First Lady's trip is a continuation of Mrs Obama's "work to engage young people at home and abroad, from mentoring students in the US and encouraging them to gain international experience, to encouraging young people to excel academically, serve and lead."
Which local designers could you see her wearing? We predict Stefania Morland for easy, well made seperates and Marianne Fassler for prints and African turnings.
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