The Look

By: Michelle Obama, Meredith Koop, Farah Jasmine Griffin - introduction

Narrated by: Michelle Obama, Meredith Koop, Farah Jasmine Griffin, Carl Ray, Njeri Radway, Yene Damtew

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The Look is a stunning journey through Michelle Obama’s style evolution, in her own words for the first time.

In this celebration of style, from the moment she entered the public eye during her husband’s U.S. Senate campaign through her time as the first Black First Lady and today as one of this country’s most influential figures, Michelle Obama shares how she uses the beauty and intrigue of fashion to draw attention to her message.

Featuring the voices of Meredith Koop, Obama’s trusted stylist, as well as her makeup artist Carl Ray, hairstylists Yene Damtew, Johnny Wright, and Njeri Radway, and many of the designers who have dressed Obama for notable events, The Look brings readers behind the scenes not only to reveal how her most memorable looks came together but also to tell a powerful story about how we present ourselves.

Obama’s intimate and candid stories illuminate how her approach to dressing has evolved throughout her life—from the colorful sheath dresses, cardigans, and brooches she wore during her time as First Lady to the bold suits, denim, and braids of her post-White House life and all the active looks and beautiful gowns in between.

In The Look, Michelle Obama explores the joy and the purpose of fashion and beauty and how—when wielded with grace and care—they can uplift and affirm the values one holds most dear. Confidence, she concludes, cannot be put on. But when you’re wearing something that’s intentional or beloved, clothing can make you feel like the best version of yourself.


* This audiobook edition includes a downloadable PDF featuring select photographs from the hardcover edition of The Look.

Critic reviews

“Michelle Obama’s new book is a historical document dressed up as a coffee-table tome. . . . It lays bare, in an unprecedented (and easy-to-read) way, how a wardrobe was transformed into a vehicle of soft political power. . . . The Look should be studied by generations to come because of what it reveals not about fashion, but about politics.”—Vanessa Friedman, The New York Times

“[Obama] writes well, and honestly, about the havoc it can wreak on one’s sense of self to have to dress every morning for what would be, for the majority of people, the most visible day of their lives. . . . The Look, an unprecedented project among first ladies, may be the only first-person book to give such devoted treatment to the place of image-making in presidential politics. Some of the The Look’s best commentary on that topic comes from the members of Obama’s style and beauty team, who contribute writing about the nuts and bolts of zhuzhing up one of the most famous women in the world.”—Slate

“A delightful tip of the hat to the pleasures—and power—of glamour.”—Kirkus Reviews

“A fashionista’s fantasy come true . . . But The Look is more than just fashion mood-board fodder. . . . In The Look, [Obama] is holding a mirror up to the culture that has ogled her and women like her for years.”—Oprah Daily

“The evolution of Obama’s personal aesthetic, from the time Barack was elected for his first term in office to now, is finally given its due in The Look. Reading it grants an unedited look . . . at her sartorial choices—outside of the external commentary–backed echo chamber that cropped up while she served in one of the most important and public-facing positions of our time.”—Women’s Wear Daily

On the Pulse

There were many stories shared that mirrored my own experiences in relation to decisions around clothing, hair and agency.

great publication

She inspires me. I thank her for sharing a portion of her life with us all. I pray and wish her the greatest going ahead. Continue to be GREAT 💯

Her authenticity stood out.

It was an easy listen..very relatable especially in today’s world. She reminds me to never lose sight of my values .

Amazing

I loved the authenticity of the content from each person’s standpoint. This book is not to be missed. It is an authentic part of history. Thank you Michelle.

Michelle shows us how to be the gal God made us to be at any age or career

I loved listening to how Michelle had to handle each stage of her life with grace and kindness by showing us how to respect our heritage, the culture we are in and the careers we have. She reminds us that no matter what we are doing people are watching and judging based by how we dress and appear in the worlds eye. Michelle is an inspiration to all women on how to become all God intended us to be while living in the world. Such a great book