For the first time in Glamour’s 70-year history, its putting a First Lady on its cover in its December 2009 issue — Michelle Obama, as one of the magazine’s 12 Women of the Year.

The magazine is also honoring Obama with a special recognition award for her commitment to mentoring young women in the annual Women of the Year issue, set to hit newsstands on November 10.

Tip: It is definitely a collector’s item, so keep at least one copy in mint condition.

New Glamour columnist and CBS anchor Katie Couric interviewed Obama on the occasion, where the First Lady shared her point of view on fashion and ‘cuteness.’

Setting your own standards is key to style, said Obama…

“People are always going to have opinions, and people have a right to their opinions, particularly when you’re the First Lady; you’re representing the nation. So I can’t be surprised that people are interested. But I’ve tried to be at peace with the choices that I make first, and then be open to everyone else’s reflection.”

… and advised not to get carried by the ‘cute’ factor.

“Cute’s good. But cute only lasts for so long, and then it’s, Who are you as a person? Don’t look at the bankbook or the title. Look at the heart. Look at the soul…When you’re dating a man, you should always feel good…You shouldn’t be in a relationship with somebody who doesn’t make you completely happy and make you feel whole.”

Obama’s outfit on the Glamour cover — the drop-waist, red cocktail dress with an adapted ballskirt and necklace — is apparently from her own closet.

However, fashionistas will recall that she wear a $1500 dazzling gold sheath by Cuban-born designer Isabel Toledo to the presidential swearing-in ceremony way back in January 2009: