Five years later and it seems Michelle Obama's influence just hasn't let up. TIME announced its annual TIME 100 list this morning and sure enough, the first lady makes the list.
The magazine cites Mrs. Obama's grace, gentleness and sense of humor as virtuous qualities that set her apart. But they also make sure to mention her fashion sense, commending the fact that "she would dare to wear clothes off the rack."
So it seems like no coincidence that the only fashion designers to make this year's TIME 100 list are the people who dress our dear FLOTUS: Michael Kors and Jenna Lyons of J. Crew. Both are favorite labels of the first lady -- Michelle famously wore J. Crew items at both of her husband's inaugurations, plus other major moments like visiting 10 Downing for the first time as a first lady.
Michael Kors is also a "FLOTUS fave," with Michelle choosing his clothes for Election Night 2012, the presidential debates and even her recent Vogue shoot. Appropriately, TIME describes Kors' clothing as being "for every woman and man who wants to be a part of the American Dream."
But what of Michelle's other favorite designers such as Reed Krakoff, not to mention all the other American fashion designers who made an impact this year? The only other purely "fashion" notable on the 2013 TIME 100 is Tadashi Yanai, the CEO of Uniqlo. Honorable mentions could go to Kate Middleton (a royal figure but obviously a worldwide fashion plate), China's First Lady Peng Liyuan (a newly discovered style star, if not yet an influencer) and celebs like Beyonce and Jay-Z.
Do you think there are other fashion figures, from designers to editors to photographers, who should have made the TIME 100 list this year? Or are Kors and Lyons the true standouts of 2013? See the full list at Time.com
See why Michelle's fashion is so influential:
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