Jewel tones reigned supreme at today’s inauguration and I am here for it! Many of the looks were monochromatic. Color choices were important as were designer selection which was mostly American. While some political figures opted to wear long established designers many choose to showcase looks from talented emerging designers. Every choice meant something. There was a great deal of blue which symbolized unity. Another color that stood out was purple which symbolizes bipartisanship – it combines Democratic blue with Republican red. Also suffragettes used purple in the their badges as it symbolized loyalty to the cause and white, which we see a few times, was a color that was associated with the movement. In addition to all of the activities of the day, fashion took center stage.
President Joe Biden wore a Ralph Lauren navy topcoat and suit. Is there a more All-American designer than Ralph Lauren? The look was styled with a white dress shirt and periwinkle blue tie. Blue symbolizing unity with as was overarching theme.
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden wore emerging designer label Markarian’s (Alexandra O’Neill) custom marine blue tweed coat over a tweed dress with chiffon inset and scalloped skirt. The dress featured hand-embellished Swarovski crystals and pearls in a floral pattern. The look was styled with mask, gloves and shoes in the same color-way as well as a matching Tyler Ellis clutch and Monique Péan step-cut diamond earrings in recycled platinum. Designer O’Neill shared that the color marine blue was chosen to show “trust, confidence and stability.”
For the evening event, Celebrating America, which replaced the traditional Inaugural Ball, President Biden wore a navy overcoat and suit styled with a striped tie.
The First Lady wore a matching Gabriela Hearst double-breast cashmere coat and silk organza and silk wool cady dress in ivory. Both pieces were embroidered with Federal flowers from every state and territory in the United States. The lining of the coat carried a special message, a quote from one of our Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin, “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” An added touch was a beautiful white wrist corsage. The coat was made from existing fabrics which reduces the impact to the environment.
Madame Vice President Kamala Harris wore a Christopher John Rogers coat and a dress that matched in purple as a nod to Shirley Chisholm who previously ran for president and inspired her career. Puerto Rican jewelry designer W. Rosado designed a custom pearl necklace for her swearing in. Her look was also styled with an American flag lapel pin by David Yurman.
Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff wore Ralph Lauren – a black double-breasted overcoat, black suit with a white dress shirt.
In the evening she wore a Sergio Hudson black floor length tuxedo coat over a black sequin dress.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama arrived in a monochromatic Sergio Hudson burgundy ensemble that consisted of a coat, turtleneck and wide-legged pants that set the internet on fire. AND it was belted. Everyone was talking about that belt! The look was finished with black leather gloves, black Christy Rilling mask and black Stuart Weitzman boots.
Former first Lady Laura Bush wore a pale blue coat with black lapels over a grey dress. The look was styled with pearls, black sheer hose and black flats. The choice of blue symbolizes the theme of unity.
Former president George Bush wore a black coat over a navy suit with a blue tie in a color similar to his wife’s coat and a camel scarf.
Former First Lady Hillary Clinton wore a Ralph Lauren purple pantsuit paired with a matching ruffled scarf under a plum coat. The color, a symbol of unity and hope was in line with other political figures in attendance. Former President Bill Clinton wore a navy suit under a darker coat with a blue tie.
House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi wore a Robin’s egg blue coat that was styled with accessories of the same color – scarf and shoes over winter white. The look was finished with a blue pattern mask and navy gloves.
Inaugural Poet Amanda Gorman recited her poem “The Hill We Climb” wearing a Prada yellow double breasted natte toile coat which was a nod to Dr. Jill Biden who had suggested her for the role. She wore the coat over a white poplin shirt and black leather pencil skirt. Her accessories included a red satin headband, black Saffiano leather pumps and jewelry that was gifted to her by Oprah Winfrey – Nikos Koulis gold hoop earrings and as a nod to Maya Angelou, an Of Rare Origins birdcage ring.
Lady Gaga performed the “Star-Spangled Banner” in a custom look from Schiaparelli Haute Couture. Though it is a storied French fashion house the artistic director, Daniel Roseberry is from Texas and he designed the navy cashmere fitted jacket and red silk faille skirt. The look which was endlessly compared to The Hunger Games was accessorized with a gold dove of peace brooch.
Jennifer Lopez performed a medley of “This Land Is Your Land” and “America the Beautiful” in head to toe Chanel. The ensemble – tweed topper, silk ruffled high neck blouse and sequin wide leg pants in white, a color often associated with the women’s suffrage movement.
Katy Perry wore custom Thom Browne for her performance at the National Mall for the Inaugural Concert. The look seems to be a nod to the suffrage movement by use of the color white and the use of navy buttons (on the coat) as well as red buttons (on the skirt) may be a tribute to the American flag and convey a message of unity by using the colors of the Republican and Democratic parties. Also the white cashmere caped coat, duchess silk satin corset, and matching floor length skirt seemed to be inspired by former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. The look was finished with white and gold diamond earrings from Rahaminov.
Madame Vice President Kamala Harris’ stepdaughter, Ella Emhoff attended the ceremony in a Miu Miu Shetland Pied De Poule tweed coat with crystal shoulder detail and white lace collar over a Batsheva merlot dress. This was a much-talked about look and has turned this textile design student into a style star!
