Former First Lady Michelle Obama will share her love of fashion and style in her forthcoming book, “The Look,” accompanied by a six-part companion podcast series. The new project combines fashion, narrative, and culture — giving a personal insight into how fashion has shaped Michelle Obama’s life in both her public and private persona.
The brief audio series, “IMO: The Look,” will debut on November 5, one day following the publication of the book. It will air a week at a time for six weeks and is a production of Higher Ground, the media company Michelle and former President Barack Obama started in partnership with streaming platforms.
Obama will be hosting the rollout in a live event at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) with the presence of award-winning actress and producer Tracee Ellis Ross, who is best known for her fashion-forward style and expression of self as a virtue.
A Deep Dive Into the Power of Style and Identity
“The Look” explores the style trajectory of the former First Lady — from her youth on Chicago’s South Side to her iconic moments in the White House and beyond. The book interweaves powerful imagery with personal essays about how her sense of fashion evolved while she dealt with public scrutiny, motherhood, and international platform.
It is not about fashion, but about confidence, creativity, and cultural expression, Obama stated. “Clothing has always been a reflection of who we are and the stories we carry,” she said in a release about the project. “I hope this book helps readers see that fashion can be a powerful tool of self-definition and resilience.”.
“The Look” will also honor the work of diverse designers who contributed to Obama’s now-legendary wardrobe — from Jason Wu and Naeem Khan to Tracy Reese, among many others, all of whom helped construct a visual image that was both elegant, genuine, and accessible.
Podcast Guests Celebrate Fashion as a Force for Change
The six-part podcast series promises lively and motivating conversations with a cast of visionaries from the worlds of fashion, filmmaking, and activism. Guests set to appear are:
Jane Fonda, Oscar-winning actress and long-time political activist;
Bethann Hardison, pioneering supermodel and diversity advocate;
Jenna Lyons, erstwhile creative director at J.Crew and now style guru.
Each episode will delve into questions of body image, self-confidence, representation, and the political influence of fashion, with Michelle Obama and her brother Craig Robinson moderating the discussion. They will dissect how fashion intersects with politics, culture, and identity — building on the warm, inclusive tone that listeners loved on their previous podcast, “The Light.”
Higher Ground described “IMO: The Look” as an “intimate, behind-the-scenes conversation on the value of personal expression,” for viewers who have seen Michelle Obama evolve from First Lady to global icon and content creator.
From ‘Becoming’ to ‘The Look’: Obama Expands Her Creative Legacy
Michelle Obama’s literary legacy is already solidly entrenched. Her 2018 memoir “Becoming” was a best-selling autobiography, with more than 17 million copies sold worldwide and giving rise to a Netflix documentary released by Higher Ground. Her 2022 follow-up, “The Light We Carry,” carried the resilience and self-discovery theme, further solidifying her position as one of the most visible writers and public figures of her time.
With “The Look,” Obama transitions to a new but very personal subject — fashion politics and psychology. Fashion industry observers expect the book and podcast to produce wide-ranging discussions of how women, especially women of color in public life, employ fashion as both armor and communication.
Live Launch at BAM: A Celebration of Fashion and Empowerment
The project will be launched officially at a live event on November 4 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, where Michelle Obama will appear in conversation with Tracee Ellis Ross. The event will coincide with the release of both the book and the companion podcast, weaving together storytelling, music, and talks on how the fashion revolution can transform culture and leadership.
Tickets to the event sold out within hours, reflecting the popular excitement surrounding Obama’s first book on style and her continuing influence in popular culture.
About Higher Ground
Since its founding in 2018, Higher Ground Productions has become one of the highest rated media entities in the U.S., producing award-winning documentaries, films, and podcasts. By way of its productions, including “American Factory” (Academy Award winner) and “The Light Podcast,” the Obamas seek to tell stories that count and inspire empathy and drive discussion.
With “The Look” and its podcast equivalent, Michelle Obama takes that cause further and further — using the language of fashion not just to discuss beauty, but to reclaim narrative, celebrate diversity, and invite confidence in expression.
