Mrs. O to Grace Cover of Vogue
Portrait by Annie Leibovitz / Vogue
So widely rumored that one had to assume it was true, The Washington Post has confirmed that First Lady Mrs. O will grace the March cover of Vogue. Revealing details about Mrs. O's self-chosen wardrobe for the shoot - a magenta dress by Jason Wu for the cover and a black dress by Narciso Rodriguez for an interior photo - the Washington Post article also shares perfectly expressed sentiments from Anna Wintour that will be included in the issue:
"Change was the clarion call of Barack Obama's election campaign," writes Vogue's editor Anna Wintour, "though I don't think any of us at Vogue initially realized that would include the difference that was going to be made by First Lady Michelle Obama's wardrobe."
"It wasn't just that her choices projected a simpler, streamlined, more modern attitude, rejecting the ridiculous idea that the only way for a First Lady to dress is in the dreaded White House standard-issue uniform -- the boxy, anonymous suit that always managed to look as appealing, and as comfortable, as armor. Instead, we have a woman who is happy in newer, less obvious designer choices like Wu and Toledo....It's inspiring to see our First Lady so serene and secure in her personal style."
Further coverage from the AP provides insight into Mrs. O's feelings about the "controversial" Narciso Rodriguez election night dress:
"Mrs. Obama said she is aware of how her wardrobe is being scrutinized, but she makes no apologies for her choices — even the Election Night combination of ripped-from-the-runway, fashion-forward dress and plain-Jane cardigan."
"I'm not going to pretend that I don't care about it," [Mrs. O] said. "But I also have to be very practical. In the end, someone will always not like what you wear — people just have different tastes."
We've also heard that in addition to dresses from Jason Wu and Narciso Rodriguez, Mrs. O will wear a head-to-toe J.Crew ensemble featured in a two-page spread in the issue. We love that no matter what the venue, Mrs. O stays true to her personal style and favorite designers. Will this be the best selling Vogue ever? We'll certainly be buying in multiples!
Update: MSNBC has revealed the Vogue cover here (though, based on other reports, we don't think we were supposed to see). We also hear that Andre Leon Talley will appear on the Today Show tomorrow morning to give us a first glimpse of the issue, so either way, we'll get the full scoop then. Stay tuned!
Update: Style.com now has an abridged version of the feature article, "Leading Lady", posted, here. Click on the slideshow to see additional photgraphs of Mrs. O from the issue. A video clip of Andre Leon Talley's interview on CNN today can be seen here. He says the Vogue staff, in partnership with photographer Annie Leibovitz, "wanted the cover to evoke the real Michelle Obama ... to show her warmth from within."
Reader Comments (62)
My, my... I just had a chance to get through the comments. CarolineG posed as me, did she? How sad.
A wise woman once told me, "That one should keep one's words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he/she may have to eat them."
Seems CarolineG has discovered that her trolling here wasn't as impersonal and anonymous as most trolls like to be. But to pose as other readers? She must be getting jealous.
While I agree that this cover is not her most flattering, this particular issue will definitely not only be one of Vogue's most historic issues, but America's as well- not only for so many of the more obvious reasons that have already been by others mentioned above, but most importantly because she is one of the few African-American women featured by Vogue(besides J-Hudson, Halle, and Naomi Campbell). It's kind of a big deal. As far as her size is concerned, there's certainly nothing wrong with being a size 12. Again, I am a 5'11 size 10/12 I look HAWT if I should say so myself! But Michelle is definitely not my size, I'm just saying...
Great cover! I love Annie Leibowitz's work so I was delighted that she was going to take the pictures.
I spotted an article about it at the Times Online - the usual slight twist in the reporting trying to make it look like M.O. hasn't done much since the Inauguration (they're obviously ignoring the near daily official visits) and keeping the tone as light as possible. I feel that this is a bit mean - I think they are subtly trying to make her seem less than she is without having the courage to come out and say so. God knows what most journalists eat for breakfat but cynicism and battery acid would seem to be top of the list. Anywho, it's not the worst article I've read so maybe I should give 'em a break. Here's the link: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article5711593.ece
I saw someone asking where to get a copy of this US Vogue in the UK. Was it Chichi? Chichi it's surprising how many outlets here sell Italian, US, and French Vogue. Just have a trawl starting with your local independent newsagents. If they don't have it, ask them - they might be able to order it for you, or tell you who will stock it. I live in a small town just north of London and I can usually get hold of a copy.
Um, Michelle's dress size..... do we care? She looks happy, she works hard. I don't need to know the size of her clothes. I got me a role model right there in what she's DOING, not how big she is.
"Um, Michelle’s dress size….. do we care?"
In some respects, yes, we do. Why? Because having a fashion icon who is a size 12, 45-year-old mother and working woman is a nice change from the fashion world's worship of anorexic 15-year-olds.
"You can still have a brain but never have to use it"
MizzBella, 2009
Your pathetic MizzBella
i love, love, love her muscular arms. Bravo, Michelle! Way to be a fit and healthy mom without being nasty looking. you are my hero and role model in life.
I agree, Hyde Parker. And it should be very exciting to see what lies ahead. Make that, a size 12, 45-year-old, working and learned mother with great style and pragmatic sensibility.
US Vogue is always a hit and miss, they could have picked a better smile/facial expression on the 1st lady. What makes the cover redeemable are her amazing complexion, toned arms and knocking fuchsia dress.
love love LOVE that dress! the color is amazing and looks absolutely stunning against her creamy skin. Also I am so jealous of her arms! They are so fabulously toned Im jealous!
My only critque is similar to MizzBella's, it not the most flattering smile Ive seen the first lady give. Then again shes a normal woman and not a super model so Im sure shes still getting used to posing and smiling for photoshoots. Also I know she had her brows redone but I think they could still use some softening. She has such strong yet delicate features and the high arch is just too sharp for her gorgeous face.
Still absolutely stunning cover, the pose and the dress are a total knock out!
Oops I mean to reference Cyndi's comment in my last post! I forgot that the commenters name appears at the bottom of the post not the top! doh!
Mrs. Obama look GREAT in big and capitol letters! :-)
Now, that's much better. That fucsia dress is just perfect and suits Mrs O beautifully.