The Reasons Behind Michelle Obama's Reluctant To Talk About Fashion

Michelle Obama (Photo: Instagram/@michelleobusa)

JAKARTA - Nearly a decade after leaving the White House, Michelle Obama has finally opened up about her eight-year fashion choice as the first lady of the United States.

In an interview with Robin Roberts from the Good Morning America show, Michelle discussed her latest book entitled The Look, which highlights the personal story behind her fashion style while at the White House.

For the first time, Michelle explained how each choice in dress has the meaning and message that she wants to convey to the public.

I really think about what I want to say through fashion. I want to talk about inclusiveness, diversity, and open up opportunities. Fashion is one way to do it, "said Michelle, quoted from the ABC News page.

He added that the selected designers came from various backgrounds, ranging from young designers, women, to American immigrants.

According to Michelle, the dress is a way to show the world how diverse American talents are.

I want to show the world that people from various places, skin tone, gender, and orientation can do extraordinary work. That's what makes America great," he said.

One of the most iconic examples is the dress he wore at the 2009 Inaugural Ball, designed by Jason Wu, a young Taiwanese-born designer who was just starting his New York career.

"I know choosing someone like Jason Wu means giving a stage to American immigrants who have an extraordinary story," he said.

Michelle assessed that Wu's story reflects the importance of the role of immigrants in building America, not only in the world of fashion but also in social and economic life.

He also mentioned the current condition, where many people easily blame others when facing economic difficulties.

"If we look at who actually built this country and keep it running, it's all us. Black people, Latins, Mexicans, Italians, Ireland, Haiti. That's America's true story, and it's also clearly seen in the fashion world," he said.

At Barack Obama's second inauguration in 2013, Michelle again entrusted Jason Wu to design her dress. However, during his tenure, he rarely talked about fashion because he was worried that the topic would cover up other important issues.

"For eight years at the White House, I deliberately avoided talking about fashion for fear of being distracted," he explained.

Even so, every choice of clothing is always made with full consideration.

"In my mind there are always mothers and grandmothers that I want to be proud of. I want to appear with full attention, energy and light," said Michelle.

After leaving the White House in 2017, Michelle felt more free to express herself through her dress style. During the Becoming book tour, she was in the public spotlight for appearing in gold boots as high as Balenciaga's thighs.

"Will I wear North Sulawesi gold boots when I was still the first lady? No, of course not," he said with a laugh.

When she returned to the White House in 2022 for the opening of her portrait, Michelle appeared with braids.

"It was a deliberate choice. I want to show a former first lady, a black woman, can appear with her natural hair. That's an important message for young and professional girls out there," she said.

The book The Look, which was worked on with his personal stylist totaling Koop for two years, will be released on November 4. The book contains more than 200 photos, including some that have never been published before.

When announcing the book last June, Michelle admitted that she wanted to take control of the narrative about her appearance by telling her own story.

Besides The Look, Michelle Obama is also known through the previous two books: Becoming and The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times.a