Monday, September 22, 2008

The Politics of Fashion

With just weeks to go before the Presidential election the fashion of politics is in high gear. October's VOGUE features an article (2 full pages in it's FLASH section) about politically minded designers who have created limited-edition collectibles for the Obama campaign.
A much more diminutive article (a half page) in the same FLASH section of VOGUE, talks about campaign buttons making a comeback among the "Republican fashionistas."

People magazine's special double issue of the Best & Worst Dressed! addresses the Sarah Palin fever that has taken hold of the country over the past three weeks. "Move over, Charlize. There's a new trendsetter in town, and she's causing a run on rimless glasses (Kawasaki), peep-toe pumps (Franco Sarto) and requests for sexy secretary-like updos across the country." They call her style "accessible." After watching Tina Fey's spoof of Sarah Palin, how much do you want to bet that the Sarah Palin costume will be the big favorite this Halloween?!
On People magazine's best-dressed list was Michelle Obama, wife of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, who was given high marks for a look that was "classic and confident."
"She has a look. She works it with confidence, and she knows what looks good on her," said People's Style Editor Clarissa Cruz. But Obama played down the notion that her sense of style might be anything close to couture, telling People: "Some of my favorite summer dresses are from Gap and H&M."

The New York Post has said that Cindy McCain and Michelle Obama both break the dowdy First Lady mold, calling their styles "modern and regal."

Hopefully, all this talk of fashion and style will make people look beyond the political couture and examine the issues at hand. Make up your own mind and then make your own political voice heard by voting. If you want to encourage others to do the same, consider creating a "Craft the Vote" tee-shirt. Show your support of our political process, encourage your family and friends to have fun and be creative. Express your power!

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