D.C. FASHION: PURPLE, PEARLS, BERNIE’S GLOVES
WA S HI N G TON» 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.
As Melania Trump left the White House, she wore a sleek black suit, which the Palm Beach Post described as “a cropped Chanel jacket over a Dolce & Gabbana black dress along with her Christian Louboutin stilettos and a crocodile Hermes Birkin.” After Air Force One landed, the newspaper described her outfit as a “colorful, Florida-style caftan.”
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.
Harris fills a president’s shoes.
Vice President Kamala Harris took on a role Wednesday that typically would have been performed by the outgoing president. Harris and her husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, stood on the Capitol steps to bid farewell to her predecessor, former Vice President Mike Pence, and his wife, Karen.
The couples stood and chatted for a few moments, even laughing, on the steps before the Pences got into a vehicle and were driven away.
President Donald Trump typically would have performed the sendoff for his second-in-command but opted to skip the inaugural festivities.
Trump and his wife, Melania, went straight from the White House to Joint Base Andrews earlier Wednesday. Pence opted not to attend that event, instead attending Biden’s inauguration.
Inaugural music fills the air.
The New Radicals reunited after more than 20 years to perform their 1998 hit “You Get What You Give” during a virtual celebration for the inauguration.
Three members of Earth Wind & Fire — Philip Bailey, Verdine White, Ralph Johnson — performed their hit “Sing a Song,” while Nile Rogers and Kathy Sledge combined for a version of Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family.”
Garth Brooks sang a gospeltinged rendition of “Amazing Grace,” and Lady Gaga belted out the national anthem with fashion and passion.
New executives received gifts.
Congressional leaders presented President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris with a variety of gifts, including a pair of flags flown over the Capitol during the inauguration.
The presentations to the officials and their respective spouses happened Wednesday in lieu of a congressional luncheon that typically follows the inauguration ceremony.
Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota said Lenox had crafted a pair of commemorative vases for Biden and Harris.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell gave them a pair of U.S. flags. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer presented photos from Wednesday’s ceremony.
Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri noted the Smithsonian had loaned a painting titled “Landscape with Rainbow” by a notable Black painter from around the time of the Civil War.