I've read some sickening things in my time but this honestly has to be the most disgusting tripe I've ever come across.
The secrets behind Michelle Obama's signature style
Mikki Taylor spells out how to look and live like the first lady
By Mikki Taylor
TODAY books
updated 11/23/2011 11:47:35 AM ET
MSNBC
Excerpt:
Style and beauty expert Mikki Taylor goes behind the glamour, savvy and lifestyle of the Michelle Obama to inspire women to follow her example and transform their lives in "Commander in Chic." Here's an excerpt.
 Introduction
Looking back, I never dreamed I’d see an African American woman as First Lady during my lifetime. It was always a vision in place for my children’s future, an idea that would come to life in a time I wistfully spoke of as “someday.” And yet there was no doubt in my mind the day I stepped into her home in Chicago for a cover shoot the summer before Barack Obama was elected to become the next president of the United States of America that “someday” had come and that I was looking at our soon-to be First Lady, Michelle Obama. It was in the air, in her aura, and on the faces of the folks who passed by the house with a smile and quick toot of their horns as if having their “say-so” long before casting their vote.
Atria
It wasn’t the first time I had worked with Mrs. O. We met in 2006 on a photo session that saw me directing her look for a power story in Essence. Now here I was sitting across from her at the dining room table discussing my vision for the cover—what she should wear, the hair, the makeup, the mood of the shoot, and so on. The conversation was flowing so easily; it was like I was talking to someone I’d known and loved for years. This time I was a little nervous, though, for I just felt like this would be the last time I’d be talking to her as the “senator’s wife.” Moments into the conversation, as I was admiring her ultra-chic dress, we both burst into laughs when she told me it was from H&M! At that point, I said to myself, “Okay, let it go girl. She’s the real deal!” We decided on an elegant purple sheath for the cover and coordinating looks for Sasha and Malia and we were on. Of course, when the future Pres arrived home and proceeded to bring out his shirts for the shoot—asking yours truly which one should he wear—I had a truly comedic moment in that I was lost for words, and anyone who knows me is clear that I am never at a loss for words—especially not when it comes to style. But I lost all my composure chops that day and was totally “underwater” trying to give him an answer! He could have shown me a checkerboard shirt, and I would have said, “That’s fabulous!” Nevertheless, I managed to find my voice and select a shirt for the “money shot” as we call it. My colleagues of course were in hysteria as they’d never seen Ms. Mikki loose her composure. That was one for the record, as they say.
Leaving the house that day I realized that one of the most fascinating attributes about Mrs. O is that she so gets it on every front. Her approach to life is deliberate across the board, and she’s ever so clear in a world filled with confusion and ever-changing standards about the importance of setting your own. She’s the woman for all seasons, who knows how to “do levels,” as we say in the community, in that she knows how to look fabulous while being frugal, how to go from comfortably talking with the Queen of England to encouraging the youngins at Newark, New Jersey’s, Maple Avenue School about the importance of eating healthy. She’s the sister-girl sprinting in Converse sneakers across the White House lawn by day who just as comfortably slips into a dazzling cocktail sheath by Kai Miller by night, welcoming Stevie Wonder to her home at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (see previous page). To say she’s in full management of her own life and yet all the while looking out for the best for others is an understatement.
Article
Michelle's Mirror has the illustrated version of this book intro. |
