On 20th January, Joe Biden was sworn as a president of the United States. Even though inauguration was accompanied by the global pandemic and dramatic events that will be included in the U.S history, unexpectedly, the fashion became one of the main topics of this historical day. Well, fashion has always been political and this inauguration was the great proof of it. Political figures and guests have said a lot about the country and its future by their looks.
The Theme of the Day-Monochrome
Michelle Obama, Kamala Harris, Hilary Klinton, Jill Biden, Granddaughters of Joe
Biden, Jenifer Lopez, Nancy Pelosi(Speaker of the house), Katy Perry all wore monochrome looks. Well, this can’t be just a coincidence. The decisions can be the symbol of unity and harmony
Significance of Color Purple
Kamala Harris, Michelle Obama and Hilary Clinton, all wore monochromatic outfits with the different hues of purple. And well, of course, it has symbolic meaning in it. Color purple represents the unity of two parties(mix of the red and blue colors). Professor of fashion design at Howard University, Elka Stevens, also commented on the pearl necklace that vice-president Kamala Harris wore. As prof. Stevens states the pearl necklace is a reference to a tradition in Kamala Harris’s Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the oldest all-black sorority in the US. A junior Sal Mosiashvili said,” people's looks set the general mood of a positive future. Also, it’s important that Michelle, Kamala, and Hilary all wore shades of purple because it has symbolic meaning of the unity of the two parties”.
Symbolism of Lady Gaga’s Dress
Lady Gaga Stunned in a gorgeous Schiaparelli gown, but what really caught everyone's attention was the huge dove pinned on her bodice. Dove is a well-known symbol of
peace and harmony, so with this look Lady Gaga showed her attitude towards America’s future. A teacher, Ketka Topadze says, “ I was a bit surprised when I saw so many good looks. I really loved the symbolic meaning of Lady Gaga’s dress and I think a dove has bat-like wings which is a reference to coronavirus pandemic”.
First Lady in a less-known young designer’s dress
Everybody was looking forward to the outfit of the first lady. For many, it came as a surprise that Dr. Jill Biden wore a less known, young, new-york based designer- Alexandra O’Neil’s dress. With this step, she emphasized that she supports young designers and development of the small business. One of the students, Iviko Sakvarelidze comments, ” I’m glad they brought fashion back to the white house”
Unexpected fashion stars of the ceremony
Young poet Amanda Gorman and Kamala Harriss’s step-daughter, Ella Emhoff really stole the spotlight with their outfits. Amanda wore a yellow Prada coat, while Ella wore a Miu Miu coat. Yellow has always been perceived as the color of optimism and energy, so Amanda’s look really expressed her hope for the future. Many fashion critics perceive Ella’s look as the reference to the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Well, these looks brought them even more success from the point of view of fashion . Only after a week from the inauguration leading modeling agency IMG Models signed a contract with both of them. When asked an opinion about the looks, a junior Tako Mikhelashvili says, “ I did not see any symbolic meaning, but everyone wore really great looks. My favorites are Michelle’s and Amanda’s looks”.
Bonus: Bernie Sanders
Well, he definitely did not win the award of best dressed, but Bernie Sanders became an ultimate star of inauguration that the internet is obsessed about. He managed to use this photo of him for a good cause and raised 1.8 million dollars through the sale of merchandise.
So, as seen, people’s looks on the inauguration were full of symbolism. They wanted to represent their hope that Biden’s presidency will bring unity and peace to the people. Let’s see if President Biden manages to make these predictions come true.
Edited by Keta Tavartkiladze
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