Michael Faircloth Collection

About the Physical Collection

This collection contains correspondence and other papers that document Faircloth’s work with Laura Bush, as well as sketches and design samples of his clothing. There are also magazines, newspapers and photos that showcase his designs in the media. The materials are mostly from 1999-2004, but the earliest materials are from 1988. All materials either showcase Faircloth himself or his work as a fashion designer.

About the Digital Collection

The digital collection includes collected materials from Michael Faircloth’s work, specifically with Laura Bush, including sketches, photo, video, and print media.

Biographical Note

Michael Faircloth is a Dallas-based fashion designer and has been a notable figure in the Dallas fashion community for the past several decades. Over the course of his career he has received several awards and national attention for his work with Laura Bush, specifically for his design of her 2001 Inauguration ballgown. The gown is now on permanent display in the “First Ladies Gown Collection” at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. The same year Faircloth received the Dallas Fashion Award from Fashion Group International at the Dallas Market Center.

Born on September 4, 1959, Michael Faircloth grew up in Eastland and Yoakum, Texas and in 1978 began attending the University of North Texas’ for their Fashion Design program.

While in school Faircloth worked at Neiman Marcus, a local Dallas designer company. He also received local and national fashion design awards for work in his courses at UNT. During this time Michael Faircloth was able to meet high-profile designers including Karl Lagerfeld, Oscar de la Renta, Zandra Rhodes, Geoffrey Bean, Bob Mackie, and James Galanos. After completing his degree and continuing to work for Neiman Marcus, Michael Faircloth established his own custom fashion design company in 1984 with Donna Smith. One of their first clients was Faye Gould, who became a long-term client of Faircloth’s. Early in his career Faircloth also worked with local fabrics supplier Richard Brooks, Victor Costa’s custom clothing design, and Lilly and Bill Dodson as their in-house designer at Lilly Dodson in Highland Park where he met Laura Bush.