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Sunday, October 18, 2009

Review: Mrs. O by Mary Tomer

Mrs. O: The Face of Fashion Democracy
by Mary Tomer

Center Street (October 28, 2009) ~ 248 pages
Non-Fiction / Fashion

Edition: Hardback - Received courtesy of Center Street Publishing (Hachette) for review



Perfect for : Personal Use, Coffee Table Book

My Thoughts: Once talk of Michelle Obama's fashion style started during the Presidential Campaign, I found myself watching for glimpses of what she was wearing via different media sources (the news, online, magazine articles, etc), and I always enjoyed seeing her personal style. In Mrs. O, Mary Tomer has brought together a time-line of events, full-color photographs and illustrations, and details all pertaining to the outfits Michelle Obama has worn, starting in February of 2007 and going through April of 2009. The details I like the best are the glimpses into the designers of the outfits, and the fact that she wore so many different names/brands, in varied price ranges. I also love that she seems to have brought an updated look to the White House while still maintaining a sophisticated presence. In addition to including the fashion details of Michelle Obama's stylish outfits, the author also included information on the events Michelle Obama wore them to.

The book is really all about the fashion and styles worn by Michelle Obama, and the designers who created the pieces she has worn, but Mary Tomer has dedicated the first chapter of the book to giving readers a glimpse of Michelle Obama's life prior to the spotlight of the Presidential Campaign. I especially found this chapter fun as I find that I often enjoy learning about the early lives of public figures (it makes them seem more like everyday people).

Content: Fun, inspiring and informative
Format: Written in a time-line format
Readability: Fun and easy to read
Overall: An informative look into the style and events Michelle Obama has participated in from the Presidential Campaign through April of 2009.

From the Back Cover:

Celebrated for her style and substance, Michelle Obama has transformed the role of first lady and become a 21st century icon, attracting attention from all over the world. The qualities so admired in her - intelligence, strength and charisma - radiate through her personal style, which has united accessibility with high-wattage glamour. The clothes, like the woman, feel both familiar and inspirational. Readily mixing high-end labels with more affordable brands, with a focus on craftsmanship and artistry, Mrs. O has elevated the notion of real value and ushered in a new era of "fashion democracy".

Building on the success of Mrs-O.org - the Web site that chronicles Michelle Obama's style - MRS. O: THE FACE OF FASHION DEMOCRACYtakes a closer look at America's modern style icon, featuring more than 120 photographs of the first lady and delving into the back story of her clothes and accessories. It also goes behind the scenes with interviews from her favorite designers, including Isabel Toledo, Jason Wu, Michael Kors, Maria Pinto and Isaac Mizrahi.

Opening with a brief overview of Michelle Obama's early years, the book goes on to provide rarely seen photos from behind-the-scenes on the presidential primary trail through the 2008 Democratic National Convention, the monumental events of election night, the inauguration and early chapters of life in the White House. The final chapter hears the opinions of Mrs. O's adoring fans - giving the last word to the people.

Original photographs of Michelle Obama's most iconic looks, along with commentary from fashion experts, top off this tactile visual feast. Woven together with sketches and illustration inspired by the first lady, the book reveals the story of a new era of American fashion.
Excerpt (provided by the publisher):



About the Author: (From the publisher's press release)

Mary Tomer is the founder and contributing editor of Mrs-O.org. In the summer of 2008, captivated by Michelle Obama's arrival on the national stage, Mary realized the future first lady had the makings of a style icon - the genesis of Mrs-O.org. The site launched in September 2008, and has quickly grown to attract more than 2 million site visits, with traffic from 221 countries and territories. Mary has appeared on the Today Show, MSNBC, Access Hollywood and BBC Radio, speaking as an authority on the first lady's style.
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2 Comments:

bermudaonion said...

I think Michelle has great style and wears her clothes well, so I bet this book is great to look at.

Alice said...

I'm glad you enjoyed this one! It sure sounds good. I'd be very interested to read about her life before she became a public figure.

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