A Wren Says

Melania Trump was photographed wearing a striking Versace coat at the funeral for former president Jimmy Carter. Usha Vance, wife of vice president-elect J. D. Vance, was seen in Retrofête recently. Fashion is making its mark in politics. But I started to wonder, what if the brand doesn’t want to be associated with that political statement?

Back in 2016 and 2017, a contingent of designers were vocal that they would refuse if they were asked to dress the first lady for inauguration or other events. For them it was a matter of ensuring they didn’t move in ways that would seem counter to their ideals. That is especially true for those who were most vocal in the run-up to the election. There is on one side the appeal of having the world’s eyes on your creation and getting more awareness for your brand. On the other side is the possibility that you and your brand will become connected with a political statement, whether you agree or not. For those designers who said no, it was a way to exercise a form of personal protest.

In truth, the protest of designers, has led to an altered perception of the first lady. Traditionally, the first lady wears American designers. You represent America and push for American business as part of the job, so it is only right. However, when many American designers refuse to work with you, what do you do? You wear more European brands, which signals sends a signal to the American public that you are out of touch. The two are tied together.

All that said, the inauguration is next week, and we don’t know who will dress the first and second ladies. It doesn’t seem that many of the American designers who refused in the first term have changed their minds. It might seem like just clothing, but fashion is always bigger than it seems.