OBAMA SOLO: Few women are as in demand for women’s and fashion magazines as Michelle Obama — though if Sarah Palin lasts, she may give Obama a run for her money. Lucky for More, then, that it started negotiating a women’s magazine cover exclusive for the wife of the Democratic nominee posing alone (rather than in the ubiquitous family portraits) before Barack Obama had even clinched the nomination. Editor in chief Lesley Jane Seymour said getting Michelle Obama was the first thing she wanted to do “the day I walked in the door,” back in January, and that if her husband hadn’t won the nomination, Michelle Obama would have been an inside “second act” story. The cover and accompanying story by Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Geraldine Brooks were moved up a month in part to allow other magazines to run Obama in November, per the campaign’s request. Another stipulation was that Obama wear her own clothes for the shoot with Matthew Rolston (evening gowns were out, because they could look presumptuously inaugural) so she is pictured wearing (who else?) Maria Pinto. Being fond of ornamentation, Obama insisted on the black bow.

— I.C.