India-born designer Bibhu Mohapatra says he is “honoured” and “humbled” by US First Lady Michelle Obama wearing his creation on her trip to India and hopes he will get an opportunity to design for Prime Minister Narendra Modi soon.
“It is a super-thrilling moment, like one of your wildest dreams coming true. It is a great feeling, I feel honoured and humbled by this,” Mohapatra said on seeing the US First Lady donning his creation as she landed in India with husband US President Barack Obama on a three-day visit.
The First Lady descended from Air Force One wearing a knee-length floral dress paired with a matching coat and black pumps on Sunday.
The award winning designer, 41, said he feels proud to have connected India and the US in a small way through his work.
“The fact that it became part of the historical trip, and with all the excitement that is happening in India itself, the attitude of the citizens of India and the energy going on there, it could not have happened at a better time,” he said.
“I am really proud to connect the two great countries through my work in a very small way. I find that link very meaningful for me personally,” he said.
Mohapatra said the Indian PM has impeccable dress sense and he would “absolutely” want to design for him.
“Of course, I would want to make something for the Prime Minister. It would be really special and meaningful and I would definitely want to design for him,” he said, adding that he is very keen to meet the Indian leader some day.
Mohapatra said both Obama and Modi have had humble beginnings but have gone on to reach the pinnacle in life.
“To be a very small part of the moment when such leaders wear your piece of clothing will be a big thing for me.”
