CONCRETELOOP.COM

Former beauty editor for Essence Magazine, Mikki Taylor, held a book-signing event at a New York City Barnes & Nobles to promote her newest Michelle Obama-inspired book, Commander in Chic: Every Woman’s Guide to Managing Her Style Like a First Lady. La La Anthony was the host of the evening and kicked off the mini-Q&A session.

The two ladies discussed the premise of the beauty & self-care book, why Taylor chose the First Lady to be the motif of her informative book, and how her mother (who was the wardrobe stylist for the legendary Sarah Vaughn) inspired her love for beauty and fashion while growing up:

When working with Sarah Vaughn, she [my mother] was her wardrobe stylist, hair stylist and make up artist – back in the day you did it all. They traveled the world together and my mother would send in magazines from everywhere. It was fascinating to see the transformation. Or when she would do Sarah for an album cover. Or do her for a television show. It was just fascinating to see that whole beauty style influence.

Later when my mother came home off of the road, my mother opened her own beauty salon. I realized that when women were coming to get their hair done, they were really having fellowship under the dryer and communicating their challenges and their strengths and affirming one another. And so beauty really took on a deeper meaning for me as a youngster. She [my mother] was my first commander in chic. Because she owned style inside and out. She taught us a lot.

If you’re in the NYC area, Mikki will be having another book-signing tonight at the Hueman Bookstore in Harlem. Click here for more info on the event. If not, you can order your copy of Commander in Chic online or hit up your nearest bookstore.

Check out the video below where Mikki Taylor chats with La La about Michelle Obama’s classy style, confidence and why she was the inspiration for Commander in Chic!