Michelle Obama And Kamala Harris Support Black American Designers At Inauguration

Kamala Harris, Michelle Obama and Jill Biden all showed their support for up-and-coming American designers with their beautiful and patriotic outfits at the 2021 presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C.

Michelle joined husband and former U.S. President Barack Obama to witness Joe Biden and Harris being inaugurated as U.S. President and Vice President, respectively, at the historic event. Harris not only became the first woman vice president, but she is also the first Black person and first person of South Asian descent to be America's vice president.

Obama wowed in a plum ensemble comprised of a longline tailored coat, coordinating turtleneck and wide-leg trousers with statement golden belt buckle. She covered up in a black face mask, gloves and pumps. The coat is reportedly by Sergio Hudson, a Black designer from South Carolina. Hudson's collections are produced in Los Angeles.

Harris also chose to support the designer, who is known for his mastery of colour. The incoming U.S. vice president wore a royal purple coat from Sergio Hudson paired with a Christopher John Rogers suit, pearls and a black face mask, gloves and pumps. Rogers is another prominent Black American designer who is recognized for his sharp shapes and beautiful use of colour.

Harris's choice of purple is significant in another way, CNN's Abby Phillip said during the inauguration.

"When she ran for president, one of her colours of her campaign was purple... that is a nod to Shirley Chisholm," Phillip explained.

Chisholm was the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress. She represented New York from 1969 to 1983, and also ran for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination in 1972.

Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and Joe Biden donned suits from Ralph Lauren, who has been a mainstay in American fashion for decades and helped define what it is today.

Biden and Harris were sworn in during a ceremony in front of the U.S. Capitol building that also featured performances by Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez. Gaga took the stage for a rousing version of "The Star-Spangled Banner," while J.Lo ran through American classic "This Land is Your Land," originally written by Woody Guthrie and famously performed by both him and Pete Seeger.