Yesterday (January 20th, 2021), the world watched our new president Joe Biden sworn into office. The inauguration was an all-day affair, and even without cable, you could keep up live and see everything that was happening in real-time. It wasn't a shock that everyone who attended the event showed up in their best dressed for the occasion. But with the pictures of monochromatic suits and coats worn by the Biden family and Michelle Obama came some criticisms from people online. "Why does it matter what they're wearing?" was a question I was seeing discourse on most of the day on Twitter. People think fashion on a surface level is just about vanity and displaying wealth but clothing holds cultural and historical value despite what the cost is or what it is they're wearing, especially when we discuss what the people in the White House are wearing.
For example, let's look at the details of the suit Vice President Kamala Harris wore during the inauguration.
Kamala is already making history as not only becoming the first woman to become Vice President, but she's also the first Black and South Asian person in the role. In a position of power that high, what she chooses to wear not only defines how she will be received as a public figure but also reflects the zeitgeist of this new presidency.
Her entire inauguration look was by Christopher John Rogers. If you don't know of him, he's a young Black designer making waves in the industry for his striking silhouettes and bold use of color in all his garments. The color of the suit is punchy and unique, more of a purple and blue hybrid. Purple as a color signifies royalty, but purple being worn at the beginning of a new presidency could also be interpreted as a sign of unity. Red and blue (the colors of the opposing political party) make purple, meaning that it is important that our country comes together to make a change to better the American people. Another thing to note is that Kamala is going out of her way to wear American designers. Aside from wearing CJR, the night before, she wore a coat from Pyer Moss, a label founded by Haitian-American Kerby-Jean Raymond. By choosing young American designers who are also people of color (like herself), Kamala is sending a message of supporting diversity during her time in office.
So, no, it's just about her wearing a pretty purple coat. What she's wearing and what our political leaders chose to wear is important because it shows us what we expect from them as leaders and what it means for the future.
It'll be interesting to see what this presidency holds. We will just have to wait and see!
Thanks so much for reading!
Angela
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