The Columbus Dispatch

Jill Biden, Harris make style statements

- Sara M. Moniuszko

Vice President Kamala Harris and first lady Jill Biden took a stylish step into their new roles on Inaugurati­on Day.

Harris and Biden were seen Wednesday wearing ensembles from emerging designers.

Harris, who often sports her signature Converse Chuck Taylors and pearls, wore a purple ensemble from Christophe­r John Rogers and Sergio Hudson to Mass with the Bidens on Wednesday.

Harris, who made history Wednesday as the first woman and woman of color to become vice president, notably chose to wear up-and-coming Black designers for the occasion.

Rogers is a Black designer from Baton Rouge, Louisiana who now lives in New York City, and Hudson is a Black designer from South Carolina.

Biden wore a dress and overcoat in ocean blue wool tweed, complete with a matching silk face mask and all by the New York-based label Markarian from young designer Alexandra O’neill.

This Biden ensemble could end up being donated to the Smithsonia­n’s First Ladies Collection, because there won’t be any inaugural balls for the Biden inaugurati­on and thus no inaugural gowns.

The coat was trimmed with dark blue velvet collar and cuffs and worn over a tapered dress with a chiffon bodice and scalloped skirt. The dress neckline was embellishe­d with Swarovski pearls and crystals in a floral pattern. The crystals also adorned the coat and dress.

The color blue was chosen to signify trust, confidence and stability, according to a Markarian statement, which said the outfit was made by a small team in New York’s garment district and hand-finished by O’neill in her West Village studio.

Markarian, named after a particular­ly radiant grouping of galaxies, combines O’neill’s blend of what she calls celestial romanticis­m with timeless design and modern grace.

The women’s husbands wore American designer Ralph Lauren.

President Joe Biden wore a navy suit and navy overcoat.

Doug Emhoff, the second gentleman, wore a Ralph Lauren suit.

On Tuesday night, Harris supported another emerging Black designer, wearing a beige coat by Pyer Moss from designer Kerby Jean-raymond.

 ?? CHIP SOMODEVILL­A/GETTY IMAGES ?? Vice Presiden Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff attend services at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle on Wednesday.
CHIP SOMODEVILL­A/GETTY IMAGES Vice Presiden Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff attend services at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle on Wednesday.
 ?? CHIP SOMODEVILL­A/GETTY IMAGES ?? President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden attend services at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle on Wednesday in Washington.
CHIP SOMODEVILL­A/GETTY IMAGES President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden attend services at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle on Wednesday in Washington.

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