26 August 2024 |
From Chloé to Monse to emerging brands, the looks that made the DNC memorable.
Last week, the Democratic National Convention took place at the United Center in Chicago. For four days politicians, actors, singers, and celebrities filled screens with speeches championing Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. The two on Thursday night accepted their nomination as the party’s candidates for the 2024 election. While the words were strong and uplifting, what was also eye-catching were the outfits, which, like the speeches, had a purpose.
Vice President Kamala Harris, known for her chic pantsuits, continued her signature look. Harris opted for two elegant designs by Chloé, now under creative director Chemena Kamali. On night one, for her surprise appearance she wore a tan style — a surprise as guests normally prefer a palette of red, white, and blue. To formally accept the nomination, she skewed more traditional, choosing a classic navy option. Sophisticated without being distracting, the two tailored outfits gave gravity to her speech and exemplified the power and conviction needed for what will be a contentious next few months.
Adding to the list of fashion moments, former First Lady Michelle Obama had a look for the books. On the second night, Obama, like Harris, chose a navy suit, but hers was sleeveless and designed by Monse. It was fitting, as the brand’s co-founder Laura Kim is Korean American and nods towards Vice-President’s dual heritage. The choice was also a massive hit as WWD reported that the ensemble generated nearly $1.2 million dollars in exposure for the emerging label. Worn with black Jimmy Choo heels, it highlighted the enduring appeal of the Obama family. Another former FLOTUS, Hilary Clinton, stepped out in an all-white pantsuit. Like many women who also dressed the same, it paid homage to the women’s suffrage movement and nodded towards her own efforts in 2016. To round out the spouses, Gwen Walz wore a navy Carolina Herrera bow detail dress on the final evening — a chic debut for someone new to the national political stage.
The DNC has been actively courting a new generation of voters and who better to exemplify the future of the party than Ella Emhoff? Kamala Harris’ stepdaughter, who became an IMG model back in 2020, was also catching the media’s attention. She began the week in Helmut Lang before opting for a Thom Browne ensemble. To close the DNC, a designer straight off TikTok. If you’ve seen Joe Ando on your For You Page, you’ve seen him whipping up dresses for everyone’s favorite celebrities like Dakota Johnson. With around 3 million followers, the FIT graduate was an unexpected choice for the final evening, a symbolic decision that solidified Emhoff’s deft hand at combining fashion and politics. As the campaign trail continues, it’ll be interesting to see what other looks will be worn from all of the women and how that messaging will be received.
