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"Mrs. Obama is not a great beauty. But she is so interesting looking and so bright. That will always take you farther. When you're a great beauty, it's always downhill for you. If you're someone like Mrs. Obama, you just get better with age."
-- World renowned fashion icon Iman on First Lady Michelle Obama's beauty. (Parade)
Iman Photos
NEW YORK - MAY 18: Iman attends the 69th Annual American Ballet Theatre Spring Gala at The Metropolitan Opera House on May 18, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Model Iman attends the 69th Annual American Ballet Theatre Spring Gala at The Metropolitan Opera House on May 18, 2009 in New York City..69th Annual American Ballet Theatre Spring Gala.The Metropolitan Opera House.New York, NY United States.May 18, 2009.Photo by Jim Spellman/FilmMagic.com..To license this image (57480897), contact FilmMagic.com
WireImage.com
Iman attends the 69th annual American Ballett Theatre spring gala at The Metropolitan Opera House on May 18, 2009 in New York City..69th Annual American Ballet Theatre Spring Gala.The Metropolitan Opera House.New York, NY United States.May 18, 2009.Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage.com..To license this image (16802480), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Iman attends the 69th annual American Ballett Theatre spring gala at The Metropolitan Opera House on May 18, 2009 in New York City..69th Annual American Ballet Theatre Spring Gala.The Metropolitan Opera House.New York, NY United States.May 18, 2009.Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage.com..To license this image (16802478), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
NEW YORK - MAY 12: Model Iman and Harper's Bazaar editor-in-chief Glenda Bailey attend the 25th annual Infinity Awards at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers on May 12, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK - MAY 12: Model Iman and Harper's Bazaar editor-in-chief Glenda Bailey attend the 25th annual Infinity Awards at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers on May 12, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK - MAY 12: Model Iman and Harper's Bazaar editor-in-chief Glenda Bailey attend the 25th annual Infinity Awards at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers on May 12, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK - MAY 12: Model Iman attends the 25th annual Infinity Awards at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers on May 12, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK - MAY 12: Model Iman attends the 25th annual Infinity Awards at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers on May 12, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK - MAY 12: Model Iman attends the 25th annual Infinity Awards at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers on May 12, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Michelle Obama: Her New Look
Future First Lady Michelle Obama has transformed before our eyes into the epitome of stately female elegance. Here we see her during the early days of her husband's presidential campaign, wearing the boxy business suit uniform of the professional working mother.
Stan Honda, AFP / Getty Images
Michelle and Barack Obama were married in 1992. The youthful couple, dressed in elegant finery, share a style that is simple and sweet. The new Mrs. O's gown displayed her shapely shoulders, one of the many attractive features of her slim, tall build.
NYT
Michelle and Barack got glam to attend the 36th NAACP Image Awards in 2005. This soft, floral look was a departure for Michelle at the time. She was most-often photographed wearing very structured, dark professional attire. This look was a harbinger of changes to come.
Frederick M. Brown, Getty Images
For a casual look, Michelle Obama most often stuck to neutral tones, minimal make-up and simple hair swept back from her face. These style choices would soon give way to her new fashion approach.
Valerie Maccon, AFP / Getty Images
During the middle of 2008, we were introduced to the softer side of Michelle. The dark clothes that she wore as a lawyer and university administrator disappeared. Michelle's style evolved to include bright colors that showed off her feminine shape. At a May 2008 rally in Iowa, her pear green suit by Moschino was a refreshing departure for her. Read all about this fabulous suit on the Mrs. O Blog!
Kevin Sanders, AP
At a June 2008 campaign stop in Minnesota, Michelle wore a purple sheath dress by Chicago designer Maria Pinto. This dress was one of the first looks that stunned fashion lovers. Mrs. O perfected this simple look with pearls, a favorite staple.
Charles Ommanney, Getty Images
Michelle's second fashion hit occurred when she appeared on 'The View' in June of 2008. She wore this simple sun dress from White House/Black Market, which retails for $148. The dress quickly sold out. The pin on her shoulder was an embellishment of Michelle's own. Brooches, pins and pearls are all important aspects of Mrs. O's classic presentation.
Steve Fenn, AP
As First Lady, Michelle Obama has stated that one of her initiatives will be supporting military families. While in town to meet with military families in August 2008, Michelle wore this sweater-based ensemble to cheer on local children. As you can see, ornamentation around the neckline is another hallmark of Michelle's style.
Rob Ostermaier, AP
For a Springfield, Illinois campaign stop, Michelle wore this very splashy print dress by Moschino. The full shirt of this belted dress is a silhouette reminiscent of the '50s, an era of the idealized homemaker. In addition to wearing more bold prints, Michelle's new look includes softer hair, often left loose, and bangs.
Alex Brandon, AP
First Lady-elect Obama addressed the Democratic National Convention on August 25, 2008 wearing another amazing design by Maria Pinto. Michelle is very often photographed wearing dresses by this designer, whose tailored, vibrant dresses help Michelle look polished, sophisticated and womanly.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
Comments: (395)
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By: "DimePiece" on 5/19/2009 4:15PM
That comment was so ignorant & disrespectful! How dare her say that the First Lady is not a great beauty? Everybody has their own opinion but keep that ISH PRIVATE, don't go PUBLIC with it? She says Michelle Obama is interesting and bright? WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT MEAN? Are we talkin about FASHION? She said, "It's always a downfall for beautiful woman"? Iman is nothin but a tired has been formal model tyrin to get attention. Sounds like JEALOUSY to me! She didn't say anything positive? First Lady Obama is BEAUTIFUL! Iman you wish you were beautiful and was the most important lady in the world! I'm sure she won't be invited to the White House anytime soon?
Iman probably considers herself a beauty with all the cosmetic surgeries she's had? Go ahead, with your breast implants you had done in 1988 and your fake azz hair. Iman is so FAKE! First Lady is REAL!
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By: HipHopRockzMagazine on 5/19/2009 4:29PM
First lady Michelle Obama is beautiful, graceful a real woman all the way around. She is motivating and inspiring and we are proud to have her as our First Lady of the United States.
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By: John on 5/21/2009 12:50AM
A classic beauty, no. Intelligent, forthright, and a fine example of what your looking for in a first lady, absolutely. Seriously folks, Barbara Bush, hmmmmmmmm, Laura Bush, nice lady but ??????, Hillary, please. Michelle is a vast upgrade over all of them.
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By: sail1993 on 5/21/2009 11:31PM
Speak for yourself. I'm about as proud of her as she is of America.
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By: Carol Sellas on 5/24/2009 1:33PM
Michelle Obama is definelly a a homely women and there is nothing attractic about her other then her outgoing personally and love of black children
she is trying to be a good First Lady but the
schools she makes speachs at and events are to benefits the black children for the most part I thought she was to be the First Lady to all of the country not just her own people . If she was not an African American women people would not be running to defend her .
defend her every move..
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By: Sir topham hat on 5/19/2009 11:36PM
Michelle is an attractive lady. She is not fine, but attractive. Hell, she is much better looking than Hilary Clinton or Barbara and Laura Bush. People, what the hell do you want from her. She is a brilliant and classy woman.
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By: Sir topham hat on 5/21/2009 9:43PM
Jealousy is like cocaine, its a dangerous drug. For those who think Michelle Obama is not brilliant or classy, shame on you. For those who think Barack should not be the leader of the country, well, join the list of other presidents who didnt fit that bill. Sure, Michelle is not fine, but she is attractive, more attractive than Hillary, barbara or laura bush. Yet, you people have been brainwashed into what is beautiful. White is right and white is beautiful is flawed and truly inaccurate. That school of thought remains in India and Mexico and other latin countries that worship whiteness. Iman is ok looking, never been into east african women. They look to arabia for me.
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By: Sir topham Hat on 5/20/2009 12:26AM
It just dawn on me that Iman is not attractive to me at all. I truly never have been into Somalia or Ethopian or eastern african women. Funny, I think MO is better looking than Iman, just my personal thoughts.
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By: Victory Waters on 5/20/2009 1:07PM
Iman's comments are her opinion and she is entitled to them just as we are entitled to our own. What Iman is saying is that First Lady Michelle Obama isn't the "typical" Hollywood or pop beauty that we are used to seeing. What's she is saying is not incorrect. Let's be real, if First Lady Obama was a regular person who was trying to be an actress or a pop star... she isn't RiRi or Beyonce or Angelina or whomever else is getting the big paychecks from the majority of North America. Chances are that Iman was asked a very specific question and she gave a specific answer. As part of the media, I can tell you that media corners people to answer specific questions. Iman was a successful Supermodel whether you believe she is beautiful or not. Models are not necessarily gorgeous but unique looking with legs, blah blah. Her comment is actually a boost to those who may not feel beautiful. Read her comment again but from the point of view of a young teen who has self-image problems. She is promoting intelligence over looks. This is what she said: "..But she is so interesting looking and so bright. That will always take you farther. When you're a great beauty, it's always downhill for you..." She's talking about herself and other models here. I get dimepiece's annoyance but read it again and see what Iman is implying about herself. I love watching First Lady too.
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By: GIGI on 5/20/2009 8:54PM
WOW! Have we all gone blind???
Michelle Obama is a great woman in her own right.
But BEAUTIFUL she's NOT,not even sexy,nope.
Iman IS a great beauty,and life is always very difficult for beautiful women with or without a brain.All people see is the outside.I really don't care what you think about this,It is hard being beautiful,women HATE you automatically,men just see sex,regardless of what's inside.I agree with Iman...
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