Michelle Obama to publish new book 'The Look' this fall and 'reclaim' fashion story

USA Today

a day ago

Michelle Obama to publish new book 'The Look' this fall and 'reclaim' fashion story
Michelle Obama is adding another book to her author byline, this time with photos of some of her most iconic fashion moments over the years.
'The Look' will feature over 200 never-before-published images of Obama, accompanied by writing about her style evolution. Obama is also the author of memoirs "Becoming" and 'The Light We Carry,' both of which topped USA TODAY's Best-selling Booklist.
'The Look,' out Nov. 4 from Penguin Random House, is Obama's opportunity to 'reclaim' her fashion story after years of criticism over her appearance during her time in the White House. Penguin Random House Audio will simultaneously release an audiobook edition, read by Obama herself.
'This book is a celebration of fashion, but more importantly, I hope it is a celebration of confidence, identity, and authenticity, and an inspiration to think deeply about how we choose to define style and beauty,' Obama writes in the introduction.
Michelle Obama's new book 'The Look' to publish in November
'The Look' will also include perspectives from Obama's stylist, makeup artist, hairstylists and longtime designers to bring readers a peek behind the curtain at how her most memorable looks were crafted.
First ladies' fashion choices capture public attention, but criticism of Obama was often racially charged. In 2022, Obama shared that she wanted to wear braids during her tenure but decided not to because Americans were 'not ready' and she preferred the focus be on the Obama administration's policies, not her hairstyle.
Obama was also ridiculed for wearing a sleeveless dress for her first official portrait, though Jacqueline Kennedy sported the same look during her time in the White House without backlash.
'I'm grateful that I've reached the stage in my life where I feel empowered and free to do what I want and wear what I want,' Obama writes in 'The Look,' according to a press release from the publisher. 'During our years in the White House, people were constantly commenting on my looks and dissecting my clothing choices. That's part of why I decided to write this book now: it's time for me to reclaim my story – what fashion and beauty mean to me – in my own words.'
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Clare Mulroy is USA TODAY's Books Reporter, where she covers buzzy releases, chats with authors and dives into the culture of reading. Find her on Instagram, subscribe to our weekly Books newsletter or tell her what you're reading at [e-mail].