Trya Banks braces the cover of the September 2008 issue of Harper’s Bazaar. The photo spread inside the Fall Fashion Issue, historically, the biggest and most important issue of the year, transforms Banks to depict Michelle Obama in a politically themed feature.

While the dress-up stand-in seems odd, the mag has ventured into the politics of mimicry before, featuring fashion models posed next to cardboard cutouts of the candidates.

What’s the meaning behind the child-like game of dress-up? While the vocal African-American supermodel has spoken out on race in the past, is the larger statement that she has a potential first lady to portray at last? Or is this just a huge September mag fashion stunt?

The September issue is on newsstands this week.

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Bailey
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