People are talking about the fashion choices worn by the key players during the recent Inauguration of President Joseph Biden, at the Capitol Building in Washington, DC. Every major news service has covered the fact that several new, up and coming fashion designers were showcased during the festivities. This was a major boost to a fashion industry that has been negatively affected by Covid 19. The attention brought to American fashion, and to up and coming designers on a whole, is a welcome situation for all involved.

THE PRESIDENT AND FIRST LADY

Our new President Joe Biden wore a tailored navy single-breasted suit under a chiseled dark grey overcoat, all by legendary American designer Ralph Lauren. Ralph, a successful designer from the Bronx also dressed the Vice President’s husband Lawyer Doug Emhoff, America’s 1st `Second Gentleman.’ It was the ladies who turned up the fashion heat, with garments that were all symbolic for the occasion. Starting with First Lady Dr Jill Biden, wearing a tweed, cerulean blue dress, featuring a jeweled neckline of pearls and crystals, worn with a contrasting coat that featured velvet lapels and cuffs. This was the creation of young designer Alexandria O’Neill from the New York fashion house of Markarian, a fashion house known for uncomplicated bridal attire. The designer said that she hand finished the dress in her Jane Street Studio in New York’s West Village, She told vogue.com “It is an incredible honor to dress Dr. Biden…I am so humbled to be even a small part of American history.” For the evening festivities on the night of the Inauguration, the First Lady chose another popular New York designer, Gabrielle Hearst to create her dramatic double-breasted pale yellow coat. What was quite symbolic about this coat, is that it was embroidered with the federal flowers of each American State and territory. Designer Gabrielle Hearst is known for her sensibility for sustainable fashion. She was just named as the creative director of the global fashion brand Chloe’. 

KAMALA’S CHOICE

Vice President Kamala Harris, the first female Vice President in America’s history, and the first Black VP who comes from  Jamaican and Indian parents wore a stunning purple coat and dress by Louisiana born Black fashion designer Christopher John Rogers. “We are so honored and humbled to have played a small part in this historic moment,” the designer wrote on Instagram. Her beautifully crafted pearl necklace was created by designer Wilfredo Rosado who was born in New Jersey to Puerto Rican parents. Kamala’s stepdaughter Ella Emhoff made a bold, noticeable fashion statement wearing a Batsheva dress under a plaid coat by Mui Mui featuring jeweled shoulder details. At the Covid memorial ceremony, the night before the Inaugural ceremony, Vice President Harris wore another Black designer creation. Her camel cashmere coat was from Pyer Moss, a budding fashion label designed and created by Haitian born, New York designer Kerby Jean-Raymond.

MICHELLE’S GLOW

But it was former First Lady Michelle Obama who got my nod for “Best Dressed.” Michelle chose a rich burgundy ensemble from up and earning designer Sergio Hudson. The monochromatic outfit featured tailored palazzo trousers, a fitted turtleneck blouse, clinched with a wide belt and a floor length duster coat. Another former First Lady Hilary Clinton wore a purple

Ralph Lauren trouser suit. Lady Gaga who sang the American National Anthem wore an elaborate red and black gown by Schaparelli, while Jennifer Lopez who also performed wore head-to-toe Chanel. 22-year-old poet Laureate Amanda Gorman wore an elegant yellow ensemble from Prada. Senator Bernie Sanders got lots of attention with his knitted wool gloves which were knitted by a teacher from his home state, who said she made them from recycled sweaters with insulated lining. She has received over 1200 requests but revealed the gloves are not being mass-produced.