by Freedom, neighborhood behavior, reproductive rights, lower prescription drug prices and paid family and medical leave were some of the talking points at the Democratic National Convention Wednesday night, but there were also some residual sights.
High-profile attendees like Oprah Winfrey, Hillary Clinton and Gwen Walz helped give big brands like Christian Siriano, CH Carolina Herrera and Badgley Mischka some airtime through the clothes they chose. Her choices appeared to be in line with the unofficial dress code for female chief guests – updated tailored styles – which former First Lady Michelle Obama appeared to be settling for with her sleek evening Monse ensemble Monday at the DNC. The business casual feel could also be a nod to Vice President Kamala Harris’ relationship with pantsuits.
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Regardless, representatives from designer companies are plugging their DNC connections. And why not? In a challenging retail environment and with rumors of a possible recession, the DNC reveal is reaching audiences far and wide. The first night of DNC coverage attracted 20 million viewers and the second night’s coverage was 20.8 million viewers, based on Nielsen ratings.
For her surprise appearance at the center Wednesday night, Winfrey delivered her message of freedom in a custom purple silk crepe pantsuit by Christian Siriano. The media mogul designer’s ensemble was inspired by runway looks, according to Siriano, who worked on a one-off creation last week with his stylist, Annabelle Harron.
After making so many outfits for Winfrey, Siriano said Thursday that he already had custom patterns for her to ensure a perfect fit. Although Winfrey appeared in the Oscar-nominated 1985 film “The Color Purple” and produced the film’s musical adaptation released last year, those professional connections were not the inspiration for the color of her DNC attire. . “We chose the color purple to feel royal and elegant,” Siriano said.
Winfrey fans, who were hoping to pull off the look, are out of luck because it’s currently custom, according to the New York-based designer and “Project Runway” alumni. However, shoppers can find similar combinations in a different shade from Siriano — an oversized gray blazer with a draped corset sells for $2,295 on his company’s e-commerce site and wide-leg trousers with a cuffed hem cost $1,695.
After the Democratic vice president nominated Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz officially accepted his new role, his wife Gwen and their children, Hope and Gus, joined them on stage to take a bow. Gwen Walz also opted for a designer label, wearing a Badgley Mischka tea length dress. Her choice on Wednesday night was a new style designed by Mark Badgley and James MIschka – a long-sleeved coat dress with a pleated waist. The navy dress is available online for $595.
The nearly 40-year-old Badgley MIschka label appears to be a point of agreement between Walz and her Republican counterpart Usha Vance. At last month’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Vance wore a cobalt blue off-the-shoulder Badgley Mischka dress to introduce her husband JD, the Republican vice presidential nominee. The mother of two and former corporate lawyer had not consulted Badgley Mischka about the $495 frock, as some political spouses are known to do. Vance is believed to have bought the garment in a store.
Badgley and Mischka declined to comment Thursday about Walz’s dress, just as they did not talk about Vance’s RNC dress.
In addition to the more significant message in his speech on Monday night, Obama’s sleeveless midnight blue jacket with cuff pants from Monse has also generated some online buzz. Pre-orders for the ensemble are on Monse’s site with the jacket retailing for $1,690 and the pants retailing for $890. But consumers will have to wait until after the November 5 presidential election to copy Obama’s look. Both Monse items have estimated ship dates of November 8th. A media request to Monse was not returned Thursday.
Former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also took the business casual route at the podium, wearing a Lafayette 148 lavender pantsuit with a scoop neck top with coordinating low heel pumps. Alex Gobo, senior vice president of fashion communications and VIP relations, said, “Nancy is a loyal customer of the brand. This did not come through PR. She must have bought it retail.”
The full retail price for the Lafayette 148 single button blazer in wool silk crepe was $1,698 and the wool silk crepe pants retailed for $898, but markdown prices were offered on e-commerce sites Thursday.
On board with the business casual look, Clinton took her husband Bill’s speech to delegates on Wednesday night wearing a black two-tone Jacquard textured peplum jacket from CH Carolina Herrera.
The issue of clothing has come to the fore on the main stage in other ways too. Former President Barack Obama referenced Tim Walz’s home style during his speech earlier this week. “You can tell those flannel shirts are not from some political consultant; they come out of their closet, and they have been through some things. They’ve been through some things,” Obama said.
In response to that quip, Walz’s wife Gwen, who was sitting in the crowd, nodded knowingly and clapped vigorously, as captured by CNN and other media outlets. She later said on social media platform X that Obama’s comment was “so true” and posted a photo of Walz sewing a Filson flannel jacket. A spokesman for Filson confirmed that Thursday and said one of Walz’s best-worn pieces is the $550 red and black plaid Filson Mackinaw Cruiser. He even wore one of his 2022 Paul Bunyon costumes, as pictured on X.
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