The Dance Between Fashion and Politics
It’s been a week since the American Presidential Staff inauguration and the dust has settled. At least a tiny bit. As folx with a sense of humanity breathed a squeaking sigh of relief – as there is so much work to be done – they also got a show: a fashion show.
We’re are long way past the holds-no-merit-notion that fashion doesn’t matter. Of course, it matters. Multi-billion annual worldwide market that continues to grow; the staying power of fashion influencers; and the insatiable thirst of modern consumerism with all its pros and cons amplified in part by social media is not stopping.
Evolving from birth right status – lord and ladies compared to working poor old timey shit – fashion has long told us who you are; perhaps what you do; and most recently (what I happen to find the personally most interesting) what you believe in. The clothes you choose to wear tell a part of your story.
Sometimes I like to imagine what it would be like to teach a high school or university class on the impacts of fashion. Help share the story behind the garments worn. It’s a bit like breaking down a sports game – the ups, the downs, and the pivotal moments – after the fans, athletes, and concession staff have all gone home. If you’ll indulge me, I’d like to approach breaking down the fashion impacts of last week through a series of sartorial questions I’ve been asked.
“Why was it deemed important to wear American Designers?”
Did you love that wine perfection that was Michelle Obama’s look? Know who designed it? Black up-and-comer Sergio Hudson. Well, after last week, he’s surely arrived. FYI, his loyal following includes Beyonce and Rihanna.
How about that blue dream that Dr. Jill Biden showed up in? That, too, was by an American designer – Markarian - who focuses on made-to-order fashions produced in the historic Garment District in New York City.
Guess who else wore American designers to the most American event there is: Joe Biden aka: Prez; Hillary Clinton; and Veep Kamala Harris (and her spouse).
It’s a no brainer to wear and American Designer on an American day. Each person too, put their touch on it. Whether it was going with a classic, shining light on someone new, or thinking about supporting close to home, it just makes sense. This excerpt from a recent Wall Street Journal article further explains.
“These moments on Day One are so important for an industry that’s been so hard hit and impacted by the pandemic,” said Steven Kolb, chief executive officer of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. “By wearing these American designers, they’re not only boosting the business of those individuals, but they’re really boosting the $373 billion industry...We have a new administration that clearly is welcoming and wants to be supportive of our industry.”
Consciously or not, the color purple—which can be seen as symbolically marrying red and blue—is also a theme, with Ms. Harris, Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama all favoring the color for today’s ceremony.”
“Why did Melanie <insert married name of monster spouse here> get ripped for her designer look?”
This Vanessa Friedman (fashion director & chief fashion critic of The New York Times) tweet says a lot:
Via @VVFriedman public Twitter
I’ll say this. No matter how much money you acquire, using emotional intelligence to read the room, understand the moment you’re in, and dress for that moment is priceless. Her nearly $100,000 USD look read new money funeral, which, playing the opposite side, perhaps is exactly what she meant to say.
“Oprah gave poet laureate Amanda Gorman what?”
Her jewelry. No big deal. Full of symbolism and meaning? You betcha.
“What’s the fuss really about with Bernie Sanders?”
Saunders frequently admits he does not have an interest in fashion other than wearing items that are practical for the weather and mindfully sourced. Fair enough. Our world needs more sustainability. I’d like to describe his version of sustainable fashion as a bit normcore and a touch farmers market meets running into town to get that cheese your partner likes so much and wants for that recipe tonight kind of vibe.
But let’s get real: all hail those handmade, recycled mittens. The joy brought from the memes make the darker days seem lighter somehow. Levity is what I’m trying to say. This is why I am glad I grew up during the rise of the internet.
Getting back to Saunders, even when you think you are above fashion, sometimes what you wear – and in his case how he wore it slumped on that fold out chair - you set the world ablaze anyway. Fashion talks.
“What is the significance of women wearing white at events outside of weddings in the west and funerals in the east?”
Simply put, white clothing signifies the suffragette movement and is a visual reminder to continually acknowledge the women who sacrificed for the rest of us.
When female identifying celebrities use white wardrobes on important, super huge amounts of press coverage days - like an inauguration - people take notice. People take pictures and write posts and share brands worn. And for those that don’t know why white is such a thing, they can look it up. I just love a fashion learning moment, don’t you?
Jennifer Lopez was dripping in all white. Lady Gaga came into the event with a white coat. This was atop her custom gown with that prominently featured broach: a dove clutching an olive branch in its beak – a symbol of peace. Katy Perry, too, wore white to perform, to show her support, and to mark the moment.
Events like last Wednesday are what I get tickled about. Using fashion to express who you are and what you stand for in a public moment to boot is the chefs kiss of style. Nom nom nom.
