Glambama: How the fashion industry helped elect a president
Barack Hussein Obama’s sweeping win as the 44th US president and the first black man to hold the world’s most important job will be talked about for years to come.
Obama has captured the youth vote and the hope of a nation with a campaign that took a 21st-century strategy, using various media to convey the candidate’s message of change.
Unlike previous Democratic presidential campaigns which relied heavily on Hollywood stars, Obama’s operatives decided to take it to Bryant Park and involve fashion heavyweights such as Anna Wintour, Calvin Klein, Andre Leon Talley and Shelby Bryan, among others in their campaign activities.
“Glambama,” as the movement was affectionately called, organized various fashion-related events such as a fundraiser called “Runway for Change” during the New York fashion week held at Charles Nolan’s downtown studio.
Donors in attendance were treated to a runway show featuring designs by Diane Von Furstenberg, Zac Posen, Proenza Schouler, Narciso Rodriguez and Marc Jacobs. Talk about an all-star cast — all for a minimum fee of $10,000 a ticket.
Other Glambama initiatives included convincing 20 fashion designers to create clothing and tote bags that were sold at the campaign’s website. Diane von Furstenberg and Isaac Mizrahi did tote bags, Derek Lam made a cotton muslin bag with a carnation print from his spring 2004 collection. Tracy Reese made a shirt. And Charles Nolan made a wrap T-shirt.
Apart from official Obama paraphernalia worn by celebrities and liberals, many left-leaning Americans used their own creativity to express support for Obama with election-inspired storefronts and Obama-themed designs on shirts, sneakers and jewelry.
Who says politics is dull and boring? Barack the vote!
