Michelle Obama is releasing a book focused on fashion and style that she says is an attempt to ignite a conversation about “the way our society defines beauty.”
“During our family’s time in the White House, the way I looked was constantly being dissected — what I wore, how my hair was styled,” the former first lady said in a Thursday Instagram post.
“For a while now, I’ve been wanting to reclaim more of that story, to share it in my own way,” Obama, 61, said, announcing the release of “The Look.”
The $50 book, poised to be published Nov. 4, is “a reflection on my lifelong journey with fashion, hair, and beauty,” she said.
“The Look” will include “more than 200 photographs, including never-before-published images,” according to publisher Crown Publishing Group.
It will also feature insights from some of Obama’s longtime glam squad, including makeup artist Carl Ray, fashion designers, hairstylists Yene Damtew and Njeri Radway and stylist Meredith Koop.
“I’m thankful to be at a stage in life where I feel comfortable expressing myself freely — wearing what I love and doing what feels true to me. And I’m excited to share some of what I’ve learned along the way,” Obama said in her social media post.
The “Becoming” author has spoken out before about scrutiny she faced over her appearance and sartorial choices as the first Black woman to be first lady.
In 2018, Obama said she intentionally waited until she left the White House to wear her hair in braids.
“The code of ethics at a workplace, as Black women we deal with it, the whole thing about do you show up with your natural hair?” she said at the time.
In the announcement about her book, Obama said the project was “about more than fashion.”
“It’s about confidence. It’s about identity. It’s about the power of authenticity,” she said.
