Oral history interview with Meredith J. Koop, 2021
Abstract
Meredith Koop reflects on her service as style advisor and aide to First Lady Michelle Obama throughout all eight years of the Obama presidency. Koop recounts the development of her relationship with Michelle Obama, outlines her activities and responsibilities in the White House, and speaks widely about her approach to styling the first lady. She describes Mrs. Obama's emphasis on working with less er-known designers and designers from underrepresented communities, and considers notable issues with which she was closely involved, including the first lady's foreign travel and sartorial diplomacy; racialized coverage and scrutiny of Mrs. Obama; comparisons between Mrs. Obama and previous first ladies; the processes by which the first lady made styling decisions; the public reception of, and interest in, Mrs. Obama's fashion; and the West Wing staff's understanding of the importance of fashion. Also discussed are the development and evolution of Koop's relationships with Michelle Obama and the first family; the October 2014 Fashion Education Workshop, which was organized through the first lady's Reach Higher initiative; the unique considerations involved when styling for campaign appearances; and the selection of the dress Michelle Obama wore for her official portrait by Amy Sherald
Meredith Koop is an American stylist and political aide who served as style advisor and aide to First Lady Michelle Obama throughout all eight years of the Obama presidency. Koop was a graduate student in clinical psychology, and a sales associate at Ikram, a clothing boutique in Chicago, when she met Mrs. Obama in 2008. After working with Mrs. Obama on the 2008 presidential campaign, she first joined the administration as a general aide, becoming the first lady's primary stylist in 2010
Note
Interviewed by Nicole R. Hemmer on May 28, 2021. This interview is part of the Columbia University: Obama Presidency Oral History
Note (Provenance)
Meredith J. Koop, Gift, transferred from Columbia Center for Oral History Research 2023