Q&A: Kate Betts on the influence of (and her new book about) Michelle Obama

Though spotting her in the front row is unlikely, you better bet that more than a few of those showing at New York fashion week are designing with a certain Mrs. O in mind. Michelle Obama is the definition of what a modern-day first lady should be: cool, confident and effortlessly-clad in hot American talents like Thakoon, Jason Wu and Narciso Rodriguez. In the new book documenting her style, Everyday Icon: Michelle Obama and the Power of Style, in stores today, writer and former Harper’s Bazaar Editor-in-Chief, Kate Betts shines a light on the first lady’s lasting effect. We quizzed Betts on why she was so inclined to do Mobama justice.

What prompted you to write the book?
I wrote a story for Time Magazine about her inaugural outfit and I realized how many people were riveted by this first lady. But it wasn’t really until the Obamas traveled to Europe for the first time in April 2009 that I really had the clear idea for the book. It was the pageantry of that trip, the way the whole world was watching Mrs. Obama, seemingly transfixed by her every outfit. That inspired me.

I love the quote about Michelle tossing the idea that style and substance are mutually exclusive. How do you think she’s done that?
She does this by the way she expresses her style so authentically and so beautifully. And she does this in the way she uses her style to capture our attention and when she has our attention she can say whatever she wants. There is no doubt she is a woman of substance and she has used her intellect to get where she is, but she also has this incredible style. I think in [the United States] especially, we accept too easily this false notion that style and substance must inhabit two separate worlds. Mrs. Obama is evidence to the contrary.

What has been your favourite Michelle moment?
I really loved the red Alexander McQueen dress at the state dinner for the President of China. I thought she looked dazzling and the wink to Chinese symbolism and culture in the colour of the dress was just wonderful.

She’s known for breathing new life into the American fashion industry. Do you think she should be restricted to those designers forever?
No, I think Michelle Obama’s self-possession and confidence are really the purest expression of American style⎯much more so than any label in her dress would ever be.

What do you think her lasting legacy will be?
Certainly she has already made her mark with her style, but I think we’ll remember her for her reach–her ability to connect with people, her empathy, and her sense of inclusiveness.

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