The US Presidential Inauguration 2021

Politicians love to downsize the role of fashion in their life and careers but truth is that real fashion is as political as it gets and every choice a man or woman in power makes reflects his and her ethos and policy. There were no style coincidences at the US Presidential Inauguration this week and every sartorial choice made – from choice of designer to palette to style of silhouette – made a strong statement for woman empowerment, inclusion, strength and
integrity. Let’s take a look…

President Joseph Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris

President Joe Biden wore an American favourite, a Ralph Lauren classic suit with a true blue tie while Vice President Kamala Harris’ bright purple coat was designed by Afro American designer Christopher John Rogers, worn with Ms. Harris’s signature pearls and the politico’s little flag pin. Purple was the signature colour of the inauguration, with Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama both wearing shades of the colour associated with “loyalty, constancy to purpose, unswerving steadfastness to a cause,” as quoted in the National Woman’s Party (the original suffragist organization) newsletter written in 1913. Purple was also symbolic as it combines the red and blue of Republicans and Democrats into a unified whole (the theme of inauguration was, after all, ‘America United’).

Michelle Obama

All eyes were on, as always, the inspirational Michelle Obama who stood tall and strong in wide plum trousers belted with a gold buckle, coordinated turtleneck and sweeping greatcoat, all by American designer Sergio Hudson.

Lady Gaga

Always in perfect costume, Lady Gaga wore her customized Schiaparelli gown with purpose. People compared the oversized gold pin – a dove with an olive leaf – to the Mockinjay from The Hunger Games and maybe the comparison wasn’t completely off. Gaga was every bit the warrior when she pelted out the Star Spangled Banner, the symbolic blue and red of her dress set off by that pin. Even her mic was gold coordinated; what else did you expect?

Jennifer Lopez

J Lo had a moment and looked every bit the diva she is in a head-to-heel Chanel look. Her all-white look was a nod to the Suffragettes and included an ecru and tweed overcoat, a ruffled silk blouse, sequined high waisted trousers and accessories that included crsytals and pearls. She performed a special rendition of “This Land is Your Land” and “America the Beautiful” with a couple of lines in Spanish thrown in for good measure. J Lo’s performance wasn’t everyone’s favourite but it did add to the already strong year she’s having.