Inaugural Fashion Shines The Spotlight On American Designers And The Suffragette Movement

On each Inauguration Day everything about the event is intentional — from the ceremonial lineup, to the fashion. We can expect to see changes in policy the next four years, but we can also expect a new approach to style. First Lady Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ inaguation outfits were the first sign of this sartorial shift, with both women selecting outfits that remained true to their personal style while sending the message that American fashion is taking center stage in this administration.

Both first and second families opted to wear American designers for the ceremony. President Joe Biden and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff both wore suits by Ralph Lauren. Dr. Jill Biden Jill Biden wore a coat and dress by Alexandra O'Neill, originally from Colorado, who designs for New York City based, Markarian. Vice President Harris wore Christopher John Rogers and Sergio Hudson, two black designers originally from Baton Rouge, La., and South Carolina, respectively.

The day was full of colorful ensembles from the politicians to the performers — with one color being impossible to ignore, and that was the point. After years of partisan division culminating in a violent insurrection on the very same steps where the inauguration took place, former First Ladies and Vice President Harris all sent a strong message today by choosing to wear the color purple. The color has come to represent political bipartisanship and it’s the literal mixture of Republican Red and Democrat Blue. It’s also the color of the Women’s Suffragette movement. The color’s symbolism of unity, solidarity and coming together has been a central message of President Joe Biden.

Keep going for more of the Inaugural Day fashions from today’s ceremony! And let us know what your favorite looks from today’s ceremony were on FACEBOOK or TWITTER!

*Images: Joe Raedle/Getty Images; Sketch Courtesy of Markarian*

Taking a page from Michelle Obama in championing up-and-coming-American designers, First Lady, Jill Biden wore an ocean blue tweed blazer and matching silk mask by New York-based designer Alexandra O'Neill, the founder and creative director of Markarian. The coat came with a dark blue velvet collar and cuffs and was worn over a tapered dress with a chiffon bodice and scalloped skirt. The neckline of the dress features hand-embellished Swarovski pearls and crystals in a delicate floral pattern. The same Swarovski crystals are also seen on the coat and dress. Dr. Biden accessorized with Jimmy Choo pumps and a Tyler Ellis bag. As for the color blue, it was chosen for the pieces to signify "trust, confidence, and stability," according to the press release from Markarian.

Vice President Kamala Harris selected New York-based designers Christopher John Rogers and Sergio Hudson to create a brilliant purple ensemble for her historic swearing-in ceremony. The purple dress and coat were complimented by black leather gloves, a pearl necklace, matching earrings, Manolo Blahnik heels, and a David Yurman American flag pin on her lapel. The choice to wear purple signals not just a message of unity, CNN's Abby Phillip also noted that the color is a nod to Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress, who Harris has honored before.