Here's how surprising fashion choices helped shape the course of political history
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were sworn in today as America’s 46th President and Vice President wearing head-to-toe, monochromatic American designers—perhaps the signal of a new beginning with this administration. President Joe Biden attended the ceremonies in a custom Ralph Lauren look and Vice President Kamala Harris wore Christopher John Rogers and Sergio Hudson—she has worn designs by emerging Black designers for all her activities in the week leading up to the inauguration.
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Here are a few behind-the-scenes stories from the style front, fashion choices that helped define today’s historical ceremony.
Joe Biden broke with tradition in his custom Ralph Lauren suit
President Joe Biden, in his sartorially chic navy single-breasted overcoat, suit and sky blue tie complete with a Windsor knot, represented not just a salute to a stalwart American designer but one that perhaps signaled a new beginning. Biden is no stranger to the brand, having been photographed twice recently wearing items from Ralph Lauren, including a polo with a large pony logo while being vaccinated against Covid-19. In the tradition of past inaugurations, former presidents—in fact, 41 out of 45, including Donald Trump and Barack Obama—have all chosen to wear Brooks Brothers for their inauguration, but today, Joe Biden broke from that norm. But he did keep to one tradition. He stuck with the colour that most past Presidents have chosen for their swearing in: navy blue.
Meena Harris is Kamala’s style connector
Vice President Kamala Harris’ millennial niece, Meena Harris, has become her aunt’s go-to secret style connection in many ways. But who is Meena Harris? She is the only child of Kamala’s sister, Maya, and with a background in tech and law, she is also the founder of the Phenomenal Women Action Campaign, a non-profit organisation that has helped to champion social causes and its current line of merch, emblazoned with phrases and sayings, have become a uniform of sorts for the millennial woke crowd.
Meena is also the author of two children’s books, based on the lives of her mom and her aunt. The most recent one, Ambitious Girl, was just released last week. But in the world of fashion, Meena was said to be the one who connected her aunt with Hollywood stylist, Karla Welch (with whom she is friends) to dress her for the big day. While Welch and others have not publicly confirmed this, the politically outspoken stylist did post a very telling Instagram today wearing a “46 Presidential” baseball cap and pearls.