Betts, a Time style and design contributor has been an avid observer of first lady Michelle Obama’s style since she first stepped into the limelight. More than a fashion handbook, this book serves as an exploration of the societal and political implications of Mrs. Obama’s style, a pondering of why style matters, and an argument for the notion that “[s]tyle is a part of the content of one’s character.” Betts parses the first lady’s choices of clothing (cardigans and floral dresses rather than navy blue pants suits) as well as her persona, from her warmth and openness to her decision to let cameras capture her hula-hooping on the White House lawn. Betts also takes a fascinating, well-researched look at first ladies throughout history (Mary Todd Lincoln was criticized for her fashionistaesque extravagance) and muses on the ways in which they were a reflection of women’s roles during their years in the White House. With its fine mix of deconstruction and designer interviews, well-sourced research and sumptuous photos, Betts has created a book that is eye and brain candy alike. Photos. (Feb.)
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Lots o’ buzz will accompany this fashion portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama. As befits another buzz-maker, ex–editor in chief of Harper’s Bazaar and now author Betts, the book is filled with hyperbole, adjectives galore, comparisons across the century with other POTUS’ (Presidents of the United States’) wives, and a bit too much of me, myself, and I. Despite the use of superlatives, and even though Betts is no objective third-party observer, she not only takes great care in following Obama’s transition from power wife to power mom but also credibly examines the personal styles of Jackie Kennedy, Hillary Clinton, and Nancy Reagan, to mention three influential presidential companions. What is of prime importance is the recognition that style matters and that the careful expression of personal style—which all three women demonstrated—is the highest manifestation of a woman secure in herself. Great photographs add power to the author’s words; and sidebars, such as notes about couturiers (including Arnold Scaasi) and the 10 commandments of First Lady style, provide some additional intelligence. An easy read that is bound to be asked for by many readers. --Barbara Jacobs
Review
“Part coffee-table page turner, part historical essay.”
--The New York Times
“Part coffee table-style book, part historical study, this 256-page homage to FLOTUS (First Lady of the United States) fashion explores the societal and political implications of the first lady’s style, illustrated of course, with sumptuous photographs of the photogenic Obama.”
--Christian Science Monitor
“Mrs. Obama is the subject of a new book by Kate Betts, a Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar veteran who has turned what might have been a coffee-table accessory into a volume with wit, verve, a sense of history and loads of nifty photos.”
--The Daily
“Lots o’ buzz will accompany this fashion portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama…[Kate] not only takes great care in following Obama’s transition from power wife to power mom but also does a credible examination of the personal styles of Jackie Kennedy, Hillary Clinton, and Nancy Reagan, to mention three influential presidential companions. What is of prime importance is the recognition that style matters and that the careful expression of personal style—which all three women demonstrated—is the highest manifestation of a woman secure in herself. Great photographs add power to the author’s words; and sidebars, such as notes about couturiers (including Arnold Scaasi) and the 10 commandments of First Lady style, provide some additional intelligence. An easy read that is bound to be asked for by many readers.”
-- Booklist
“Betts has been an avid observer of first lady Michelle Obama’s style since she first stepped into the limelight. More than a fashion handbook, this book serves as an exploration of the societal and political implications of Mrs. Obama’s style, a pondering of why style matters, and an argument for the notion that ‘style is a part of the content of one’s character’…Betts takes a fascinating, well-researched look at first ladies throughout history…and muses on the ways in which they were a reflection of women’s roles during their years in the White House. With its fine mix of deconstruction and designer interviews, well-sourced research and sumptuous photos, Betts has created a book that is eye and brain candy alike.”
--PW
“A scintillating fashion biography of Michelle Obama’s inimitable style and its far-reaching influence. Beyond the analysis of [Obama’s] uncannily self-possessed style, Betts provides an intriguing contextualization of Obama within the historical framework of other groundbreaking First Ladies—Dolley Madison, Mary Todd Lincoln, Grace Coolidge, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jackie O, Hillary Clinton—as well as within the current postfeminist moment in American culture…The author clearly champions her subject, her book should have widespread appeal. A sharp, lavishly illustrated biography of one of the most influential figures in refashioning the roles of women.”
--Kirkus Reviews
“Betts…convincingly portrays the First Lady as an everyday fashion icon…Clearly, Betts supports Obama's sense of style, and she backs up her stance with quotes from fashion experts, substantive text, and generous photographs of the First Lady. This book is written in a chatty style that will appeal to the casual reader but has enough information for fashion students. With so many people interested in the First Lady's wardrobe, it should have ample readership.”
--Library Journal
Betts's smart and entertaining analysis shows why Mrs. Obama's style is so important culturally and historically."
--Tina Brown, editor-in-chief, The Daily Beast
"You can put almost any woman in beautiful clothes and she will look amazing. But if you put an amazing woman in even the simplest clothes, you redefine style completely. Kate Betts reminds us that grace, confidence and intelligence add up to true radiance."
--Calvin Klein
"Kate Betts has written a fun, informative, and inspiring book about our formidably stylish First Lady, Michelle Obama…a MUST!!!"
--Diane von Furstenberg
"What a rich book this is, flowing with brilliant cultural insights, smart fashion, and reporting surprises! I learned more about Michelle Obama from Kate Betts than from any other source."
--David Maraniss, biographer of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama
"Kate Betts looks at style like no one else—the true essence of style being beyond what you wear. First lady Michelle Obama exemplifies the ‘power of style’ through her everyday dignity and grace."
--Millard "Mickey" Drexler, Chairman and CEO, J. Crew
"American fashion and American politics have long had something unfortunate in common, namely that they tend to treat black women as though we are invisible. As Everyday Icon beautifully illustrates, thanks to Michelle Obama, we are invisible no more…Everyday Icon reminds us that Michelle Obama represents a woman who wears the expectations of the world effortlessly, and whose authenticity is her greatest accessory."
--Keli Goff, author, Party Crashing: How the Hip-Hop Generation Declared Political Independence
About the Author
KATE BETTS has been covering the world of style for twenty years, most recently as a contributing editor at Time and also as the editor of Time Style & Design. The youngest person ever to serve as editor in chief of Harper’s Bazaar, she was also the fashion news director at Vogue and the Paris bureau chief of Women’s Wear Daily. Betts lives in New York City with her husband, the writer Chip Brown, and their two children.
