Political icon Michelle Obama has been credited with changing the face of fashion after three black women in a row appeared on the cover of US Vogue.America’s first lady graced the fashion bible’s cover in March; followed by Beyonce, and this month Ethiopian model Liya Kebede (pictured).

‘Michelle Obama and her daughters are forcing advertisers to have a new interest in black beauty,’ says Qianna Smith, Essence magazine’s fashion editor.

Edward Enninful, a top stylist and fashion director who works closely with Vogue agrees: ‘[Michelle] has got an innate sense of how she wants to look. It goes beyond clothes. Jackie O had it. Princess Di had it. Michelle Obama has it.’

He added: ‘Fashion and Vogue are celebrating diversity.’

Click here to read the article from Sunday’s Observer