Joe Biden and Kamala Harris showed American designers at their opening on Wednesday, and Harris gave a nod to female suffrage, Shirley Chisholm and her beloved brotherhood in pearls and purple.
Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush also wore shades of purple. Harris cited Chisholm, a Democrat from New York, as inspiration for his career. Chisholm was the first black woman elected to Congress and the first black candidate for an important party to run for president of the United States.
Pearls had a strong fashion show, in line with a social media campaign that had the opening observers wearing strings in support and celebration of Harris. No one present made them like Jennifer Lopez – from earrings to bracelets – while she sang “This Land is Your Land” in white Chanel from head to toe.
Congresswoman Barbara Lee, a California Democrat, wore a pearl necklace owned by Chisholm herself. It was a gift from Chisholm’s goddaughter.
“Because of Shirley Chisholm, I am,” Lee, who is black, posted on Twitter. “Because of Shirley Chisholm, Vice President Harris is.”
The pearls Harris wore, by Wilfredo Rosado, were also a symbol of union with his sisters at Alpha Kappa Alpha, the first African American fraternity of Greek letters, said Rachel Torgerson, fashion director at Cosmopolitan. The founders of the brotherhood are called “Twenty Pearls”. Each new member receives an emblem adorned with 20 pearls.
Harris studied at Howard University, one of the country’s historically black colleges and universities.
“There is no doubt that every part of her look today celebrates who she is, where she came from and where she hopes to lead the country. Each piece was carefully considered and filled with meaning, ”said Torgerson.
Like Harris, Rosado is the son of immigrants.
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders drew fashion acclaim on social media for his cozy and comfortable inaugural outfit: his beige parka and a pair of patterned knitting gloves. The look earned him his own Bobblehead opening to mark his viral fashion moment. It is already pre-ordered for $ 25 at the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum online store.
Jill Biden wore an ocean blue wool tweed jacket over a dress by American designer Alexandra O’Neill, from Markarian. The new first lady’s matching coat and dress included a velvet collar and cuffs on the jacket, chiffon bodice and cut-out skirt on the dress. The neckline of the dress is decorated with pearls and Swarovski crystals. The same crystals adorn the coat. The clothing was handmade in New York City.
Aides said Harris was dressed in Christopher John Rogers and Sergio Hudson. Both are black designers, Rogers from Louisiana and Hudson from South Carolina. Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, wore a Ralph Lauren suit.
Michelle Obama, a fashion icon, drew praise from fans on social media for her plum suit with belt, also from Hudson.
Joe Biden wore a navy blue suit and a Ralph Lauren overcoat. It was a change from Brooks Brothers, the oldest U.S. clothing maker in 202. The brand dressed 41 of the 46 American presidents, including Barack Obama during his 2009 inauguration.
Brooks Brothers faced financial difficulties last year when it filed for bankruptcy and announced a planned sale. Ralph Lauren has a history of dressing non-partisan, including moments with Michelle Obama and the departure of First Lady Melania Trump. Joe Biden wore polo shirts, with the brand’s pony logo and polo player, to get the two COVID-19 vaccines on television.
Véronique Hyland, director of fashion resources at Elle magazine, highlighted the victories for young American designers.
“They chose a diverse group of talents – Christopher John Rogers, Kerby Jean-Raymond of Pyer Moss, Alexandra O’Neill and Jonathan Cohen of Markarian – to be part of this historic moment,” she said. “It was a significant statement at this specific time, when all small businesses, including fashion companies, need support and prominence.”
Harris’ choice to use pieces by black designers “was particularly significant in light of his triple historical title as the first black woman and Asian American vice president in our country,” added Hyland.
As for the color purple, it was a symbol of unity and bipartisanship. Republican red and democratic blue make purple.
“If there is a message to be taken out of today’s inaugural fashion, it is that those who attended are signaling faith in unity and bipartisanship, as well as restoring truth and trust,” said Torgerson.
Hillary Clinton confirmed that she wore “purple for a purpose”, telling the Associated Press: “I just want to send a little bit of a symbolic message that we need to come together.”
Lady Gaga went to the red and let her pin speak. She sang the national anthem in a luxurious custom Schiaparelli dress designed by Daniel Roseberry with a full red skirt and a navy blue coat adorned with a huge golden dove holding an olive branch. Garth Brooks went the other way: country. He sang “Amazing Grace” holding his black cowboy hat and dressed in blue jeans combined with a black jacket and shirt.
Another fashion star on Twitter was Nikolas Ajagu, husband of Harris’s sister, Meena Harris. Sharp-eyed tennis players noticed his ultra-rare and expensive Air Dior Jordan 1 shoes. Dior 1s, a collaboration between Dior and Jordan, debuted last year and cost $ 2,000. They are reportedly reaching $ 7,000 on some tennis resale sites.
Harris’ stepdaughter Ella Emhoff taught some of the older people in her Shetland Miu Miu coat embellished in a pied de poule pattern with a large brown button at the neck and a pointed collar.
“To be very clear, for the past four years we have been hungry for White House fashion options that are careful and purposeful for the greater good,” said Nikki Ogunnaike, digital director at Harper’s Bazaar.