Inauguration fashion: Purple, pearls, US designers
Michelle Obama drew praise from fans on social media for her belted pantsuit in plum
Washington, Jan. 21: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris showcased American designers at their inauguration Wednesday, and Harris gave a nod to women's suffrage, Shirley Chisholm and her beloved sorority in pearls and purple.
Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush also donned hues of purple. Harris has cited Chisholm, a Democrat from New York, as an inspiration for her career. Chisholm was the first PoC woman elected to Congress and the first PoC major-party candidate to run for US president.
Pearls had a strong fashion showing, in line with a social media campaign that had inauguration watchers donning strands in support and celebration of Harris. Nobody in attendance did them quite like Jennifer Lopez — from earrings to bracelets — as she sang ''This Land is Your Land” in head-totoe white Chanel.
Rep. 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 PoC, posted on Twitter. ''Because of Shirley Chisholm, Vice President Harris is.''
The pearls Harris wore, by Wilfredo Rosado, were also a symbol of unity with her sisters in Alpha Kappa Alpha, the first African American Greekletter sorority, said Rachel Torgerson, fashion features director for Cosmopolitan.
The sorority's founders are referred to as the ''Twenty Pearls.'' Every new member receives a badge adorned with 20 pearls.
Harris attended Howard University, one of the nation's historically PoC colleges and universities.
''There's 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. Every piece was carefully considered and packed with meaning,'' Torgerson said.
Like Harris, Rosado is the child of immigrants.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders drew fashion praise on social media for his cozy, comfortable inauguration wear: His signature beige parka and a pair of knit patterned mittens. The look earned him his own inauguration Bobblehead to mark his viral fashion moment. It's now on pre-sale for $25 at the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum's online store.
Jill Biden wore an ocean blue wool tweed coat over a dress American designer Alexandra O'Neill of the Markarian label. 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 belted pantsuit in plum, also by Hudson.