Kamala Harris Designers Are Diverse, And Across the world

US Vice President Kamala Harris is not solely just all over the news these days, but also in the glamour and fashion tabloids for her power-dressing style. Be it her purple inauguration attire or the white suit she wore when she made her first speech as the Vice President elect, her outfits lately have been much talked about due to the assertion of power and symbolism.

Furthermore, her attempt at promoting independent BAME fashion designers has also been noticed and appreciated by many. We bring to you five BAME fashion designers whose designs the US Vice President has worn:

Christopher Roger Johns

Credits: SCAD

Christopher John Rogers is the designer behind Kamala Harris' purple outfit at the inauguration ceremony.  The 27-year-old African-American and queer designer's has the ability to pull inspiration from places that one wouldn’t immediately think of together is as innate as his ability to create wearable drama. His unconventional way of styling has garnered him praise for his creativity and innovation in the world of fashion. He believes that clothes can transform, self-actualised and transmit power.

Christopher won the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund in 2019, an initiative for recognising emerging fashion designers and giving them the significant space in the world of fashion. Moreover, he has dressed up celebrities like Lizzo, Priyanka Copra, Michelle Obama, Tessa Thompson, Tracee Ellis Ross and SZA, Karlie Kloss, Zenadaya and many more.

Sergio Hudson

Credits: Bravo TV

Kamala Harris also wore a sequin cocktail dress under a silk tuxedo overcoat designed by Sergio Hudson later at night. In fact, he also designed the outfit of the former US First Lady Michelle Obama for the presidential swearing-in ceremony. The designer from South Carolina also designed several custom suits for Harris during her campaign.

Sergio Hudson owns an eponymous luxury women's ready-to-wear label, designed and produced entirely in Los Angeles and New York. The 36-year old designer has openly talked about his aim of building a legacy. In an interview with Harper Bazaar, he said, "I haven’t seen an African-American designer who’s built a legacy brand. And I’m not ashamed to say that’s who I want to be. That’s what I’m aiming to do.”

Furthermore, he has dressed eminent personalities like Regina King, Beyonce, Kendall Jenner, Amal Clooney, and Demi Lovato among others.

Prabal Gurung

Credits: Prabal Gurung Website

For the presidential inaugural prayer service, Kamala Harris wore a berry-coloured set of double-faced wool crepe dress with a matching coat designed by Nepali-American fashion designer Prabal Gurung. 

Born in Singapore and raised in Nepal, he was appointed as the design director at the iconic Bill Blass. He held the post for five years, until launching his own collection, which he named after himself.

He has consistently presented fashion collections filled with colors and prints, reflecting his diverse upbringing on streamlined silhouettes. Prabal Gurung has dressed many distinguished personalities, including Michelle Obama, Anne Hathaway, Duchess of Cambridge, Bella Hadid, Isha Ambani and many other A-lister celebrities. 

He is also a philanthropist and activist who has worked for various noble causes like alleviating poverty and inequality of various forms, especially for his own country. His family founded the Shikshya foundation Nepal in 2011, an initiative with a mission is to provide at least 300 underprivileged children with education, addressing financial, social and emotional needs, within the next 10 years. Furthermore, he was chosen as the goodwill ambassador for Maiti Nepal, a foundation started to prevent girl trafficking.

Carolina Herrera

Credits: BFA

For her first appearance and speech in public as Vice President elect, Harris chose to wear Carolina Herrera, an American fashion label founded by a female immigrant of the same name.

The white suit with pussy bow symbolised the emancipation and empowerment of women, as the colour white is associated with the women suffrage movement. 

The remarkable 82-year old Venezuelan designer is well-known for dressing many US First Ladies like Jacqueline Onassis, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, and Melania Trump. She is renowned for her precise tailoring and signature white button-down blouses.

Carolina Verrera first joined the fashion world as a publisher for Pucci. Later, she went to launch her eponymous luxury brand. She is also the recipient of many accolades and awards, even the International Best Dressed Hall of Fame in 1980.  

"I have a responsibility to the woman of today - to make her feel confident, modern and above all else beautiful." This is what her main motive was while doing her job immaculately.

Kerby Jean Raymond

Credits: Reebok

While attending a memorial for victims of the coronavirus pandemic on the eve of the inauguration, Kamala wore a statement camel coat designed by Black designer Kerby Jean-Raymond. 

He is a distinguished name in the world of fashion, who has received a huge number of accolades and recognition. Kerby was the Menswear Designer of the Year by the CFDA and Designer of the Year by Harlem’s Fashion Row. He launched a new platform with Kering, the global fashion giant group to empower the next generation, launching an initiative called Your Friends in New York. Also the founder of the brand Pyer Moss, he serves as the Vice President of creative direction in Reebok.

The American Haitian designer is also a passionate activist who is renowned for his socially conscious fashion, mostly addressing the issue of racism through his art of fashion.