Kamala Harris
While Kamala Harris was making history as the first female, Black and South Asian Vice President to take the oath of office, she had good reasons to wear the colour purple. The shade, which is a literal mix of the political party colours, red and blue, is perfect for promoting solidarity, bipartisanship and unity. Purple, which was worn by other notable figures like former First Lady Hilary Clinton, is also meaningful for American women in politics as the suffragettes often wore the colour in the 1900s while campaigning for women's right to vote. In addition, purple honoured Shirley Chisholm, since the first Black woman to be elected to Congress chose to wear the hue for her 1972 presidential campaign.
Two Black designers, Christopher John Rogers and Sergio Hudson were behind Madam Vice President’s regal coloured dress and sharp-cut coat, which came with notched lapels, buttoned-lined cuffs and two-button closure. Rogers is a young (27-year-old) rising star from Louisiana. Known for his use of daring colours and dramatic silhouettes, he won the 2020 CFDA American Emerging Designer of the Year and has dressed the likes of Beyoncé and Rihanna. Hudson, meanwhile is an LA-based creative from South Carolina, who can name Tracee Ellis Ross, Issa Rae and yes, Beyoncé and Rihanna, as fans.
Along with black gloves and pumps, the former junior United States senator from California accessorised her vibrant ensemble, a big change from her usual neutrals, with her signature pearls. As well as a sign of solidarity with the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, the first Greek-letter sorority founded by Black women at her alma mater Howard University, pearls are known for representing purity, perfection, good luck and prosperity. And with the dress underneath being so simple, the necklace by Puerto Rican Wilfredo Rosado, which featured South Sea pearls, small diamonds and an elliptical chain link, shone brilliantly in the sunshine.
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