It is traditional for first ladies to appear in the magazine - every one since Lou Hoover, with the exception of Bess Truman, has done it. But few get the cover. In fact, Obama is only the second, the first being Hillary Rodham Clinton in December 1998. For her cover shot, Obama once again chose designer Jason Wu (the 26-year old who created her inaugural gown). This time around, though, there's a little less frou-frou - she's wearing a bold magenta sheath.

According to The Associated Press, Talley said his interviews with Obama, done before the inauguration, were "one of the best experiences of my life. She's so accessible, natural and normal. There's nothing affected about her."

The story focuses on Obama's role as a mom and a first lady, though the AP reports that fashion talk was definitely not off limits. "I'm not going to pretend that I don't care about it," she said. "But I also have to be very practical. In the end, someone will always not like what you wear - people just have different tastes."

Michelle