Malia Obama—sorry, that’s Malia Ann, as she likes to be credited—walked the red carpet at a showing of her directorial debut in a fashionable ensemble that’s appropriately youthful for a twenty-something budding filmmaker, and embraces the arrival of autumn.
The Heart, Obama’s short film, was part of the Deauville American Film Festival, which is in France, but for American films. Culture! Rather than go all-in on either French or American designers, Obama took the diplomatic route (learned it from you, dad!) and went British, wearing a Vivienne Westwood top and skirt with bold, color-contrasting tartan patterns. It’s not the same print as the ensemble Taylor Swift recently wore in London, but a similar vibe.
For the occasion, Malia paired the J.M. skirt, which has a high-low structure, with one of the brand’s signature corset tops in “red check.” The items are mostly sold out, but we found (as of this writing) available pieces here, here, here and here.
DEAUVILLE, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 06: Malia Ann attends the opening ceremony during the 50th Deauville American Film Festival on September 06, 2024 in Deauville, France. (Photo by Francois G. Durand/WireImage)Francois G. Durand
The Heart follows a lonely man grieving the loss of his mother as he tries to honor “an unusual request in her will,” as Malia Obama put it in a promotional interview. “The film is about lost objects and lonely people and forgiveness and regret,” she explained in the clip, “but I also think it works hard to uncover where tenderness and closeness can exist in those things.”
Obama kept her makeup light and skipped jewelry or accessories, going with dark nail polish to add to the lightly punk vibe of the ensemble. She wore her hair in tight braids at the scalp that became long, loose, reddish waves. It’s the same style she wore to The Heart‘s premiere at Sundance in January.
