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PARK CITY — A 12-year old boy traveled from Texas just to see if he could meet the first lady and present his dress design for her.
Grant made it to Park City for her visit Tuesday, where he has some Utahns working to help him achieve his dreams.
"You have to think about the future," Grant says. "When I'm 21, I may be working as a couturier in Paris."
Related:
Michelle Obama visits Utah
First lady Michelle Obama arrived in Utah Tuesday morning to host a quick fundraiser for her husband's re-election campaign at a private home.Tuesday, Grant wanted to meet Michelle Obama — not for politics but for fashion: to fit her for a dress he designed.
The dress was inspired by a trip he took to the Smithsonian in Washington, DC. "I was taking snapshots of all these different kinds of orchids, and I came to this one," Grant said, holding out the picture.
On his journey, Grant is inspiring people. One of them is Deborah Ilunga, who heads the grassroots political party True Blue.
"(I liked) how much he thought of the first lady, and that she was beautiful, and how much he was a dress designer; and it all came from such a pure place," Ilunga said.
She's been working behind the scenes for Grant, sending emails and making phone calls. Her reason for helping out: "Martin Luther King (Jr.) is the one who says 'I have a dream.' And Grant has a dream, and I think all of as do."
"He's got some wisdom about some things beyond what you might expect (of) a 12-year-old. Sometimes he'll blow me away," said Grant's mom, Moanna Mower.
During the Mrs. Obama's visit Tuesday, she said she said she was open to seeing the dress Grant designed for her.
For this young designer, it's another step closer.
Email: niyamba@ksl.com
