The beautifully tailored purple overcoat worn by new Vice President Kamala Harris during Inauguration Day ceremonies Wednesday was designed by a former fashion student at the Savannah College of Art and Design.
Louisiana native Christopher John Rogers, a SCAD graduate, launched his own clothing brand with a group of friends in 2016 — an outgrowth of a collection he put together for his senior thesis, according to the college.
Rogers, who is Black, also turned heads at last year’s BET Hip Hop Awards, where rap star Cardi B sported one of his coats.
“Thank you, Madam Vice President. We are so honored and humbled to have played a small part in this historic moment,” an Instagram post from Rogers’ company read.
The hues of purple worn Wednesday by Harris and others were symbolic of unity and bipartisanship, reports said.
Harris said her choice of color and pearl accessories honored women’s suffrage, Shirley Chisholm and her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha.
Chisholm, a New York Democrat who was the first Black woman elected to Congress and the first Black major-party candidate to run for president, is often cited by Harris as a major inspiration.
SCAD, which has campuses in Savannah and Atlanta, issued an online statement praising its former student’s role in the historic swearing-in of the nation’s first Black female vice president.
“This morning, Vice President Kamala Harris—the embodiment of historical firsts—strode proudly onto the world stage as a modern superwoman,” SCAD President and Founder Paula Wallace said. “Her regal Inauguration Day ensemble was created by SCAD alumnus and CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund-winner Christopher John Rogers, who has dressed Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, and Michelle Obama. Congratulations, Vice President Harris! Bravo, Christopher!”
After the swearing-in ceremony, Harris changed into an outfit designed by South Carolina native Sergio Hudson, another Black designer who crafted Michelle Obama’s elegant plum pantsuit that caused a lot of buzz online, reports said.
Harris’ choice to wear pieces by Black designers “felt particularly significant in light of her triply historic title as the first female, Black and Asian American vice president of our country,” said Véronique Hyland, fashion features director for Elle magazine.
“It made for a meaningful statement at this particular time, when all small businesses, including fashion businesses, are in need of support and spotlighting,” said Hyland.
Information provided by The Associated Press was used to supplement this report.
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