First Lady Jill Biden lifts the curtain on her Inaugural Day outfits
As an educator and first lady, Jill Biden, like many of her predecessors, prefers to keep the most photo ops on the subject in question and not on the clothes she is wearing.
But Wednesday's appearance at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History was undeniably fashion-focused. The occasion was the unveiling of the Markarian ensemble she donned for President Joe Biden's 2021 swearing-in ceremony and the Gabriela Hearst dress worn for the evening festivities that followed. The New York designers behind the two labels, Alexandra O'Neill and Hearst de Markarian, have joined FLOTUS in the Flag Hall. Starting Thursday, their now-historic designs will be on display at the Smithsonian's First Ladies Collection center.
Related GalleriesO'Neill had designed a blue tweed dress, adorned with a floral pattern of pearls and crystals, and a matching coat with a dark blue velvet collar and cuffs. Hearst, founder and creative director of her eponymous company, crafted an ivory silk wool dress and a double-breasted cashmere coat, with embroidery reminiscent of the official flowers of each US state and territory. (That of Jill Biden's home state of Delaware was placed above her heart, a detail shared by FLOTUS during her remarks.) As a sign of the times and a memory marking how the inauguration of January 20, 2021 took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, the face masks that the first lady wore with each outfit will also be on display.
In his remarks at Wednesday's ceremony, Biden said, "Clothing is an art and a joint. It is the manifestation of a moment. It's history."
She also spoke about the changing role of fashion in her life, according to a pool report . "When I became first lady, I knew people would start to care a lot more about what I wore. There were times when I welcomed that spotlight, because I knew my clothes could look good on me. help say something important. Like when I wore my "Vote" boots on election day [in 2020] and my "Love" jacket on our first trip abroad. And then the most trite, when I wore a scrunchie to the bakery and it ended up on the evening news,” she said.
After that line "I got a lot of applause," Biden added, "I look forward to adding some menswear to this gallery in the future as well.”
She also explained why she chose the little-known label Markarian two years ago, explaining that O'Neill was "just getting started, the leader of a small young team with big ideas," Biden said. “His designs seemed both timeless and new. And that's exactly what I was hoping to find. Because young people showed up and voted for Joe in historic numbers. And I wanted to reflect their passion, their creativity and their hope that day."
Befriended Hearst after meeting the designer at a Save the Children's which she had chaired, Biden said Hearst always pushes her to try new things and step out of her comfort zone. FLOTUS told the crowd that there was no need for convincing for the design of the inaugural evening dress. Biden thanked Hearst for “bringing to life our vision of a truly united America. I am so grateful for your talent and friendship.
As an educator and first lady, Jill Biden, like many of her predecessors, prefers to keep the most photo ops on the subject in question and not on the clothes she is wearing.
But Wednesday's appearance at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History was undeniably fashion-focused. The occasion was the unveiling of the Markarian ensemble she donned for President Joe Biden's 2021 swearing-in ceremony and the Gabriela Hearst dress worn for the evening festivities that followed. The New York designers behind the two labels, Alexandra O'Neill and Hearst de Markarian, have joined FLOTUS in the Flag Hall. Starting Thursday, their now-historic designs will be on display at the Smithsonian's First Ladies Collection center.
Related GalleriesO'Neill had designed a blue tweed dress, adorned with a floral pattern of pearls and crystals, and a matching coat with a dark blue velvet collar and cuffs. Hearst, founder and creative director of her eponymous company, crafted an ivory silk wool dress and a double-breasted cashmere coat, with embroidery reminiscent of the official flowers of each US state and territory. (That of Jill Biden's home state of Delaware was placed above her heart, a detail shared by FLOTUS during her remarks.) As a sign of the times and a memory marking how the inauguration of January 20, 2021 took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, the face masks that the first lady wore with each outfit will also be on display.
In his remarks at Wednesday's ceremony, Biden said, "Clothing is an art and a joint. It is the manifestation of a moment. It's history."
She also spoke about the changing role of fashion in her life, according to a pool report . "When I became first lady, I knew people would start to care a lot more about what I wore. There were times when I welcomed that spotlight, because I knew my clothes could look good on me. help say something important. Like when I wore my "Vote" boots on election day [in 2020] and my "Love" jacket on our first trip abroad. And then the most trite, when I wore a scrunchie to the bakery and it ended up on the evening news,” she said.
After that line "I got a lot of applause," Biden added, "I look forward to adding some menswear to this gallery in the future as well.”
She also explained why she chose the little-known label Markarian two years ago, explaining that O'Neill was "just getting started, the leader of a small young team with big ideas," Biden said. “His designs seemed both timeless and new. And that's exactly what I was hoping to find. Because young people showed up and voted for Joe in historic numbers. And I wanted to reflect their passion, their creativity and their hope that day."
Befriended Hearst after meeting the designer at a Save the Children's which she had chaired, Biden said Hearst always pushes her to try new things and step out of her comfort zone. FLOTUS told the crowd that there was no need for convincing for the design of the inaugural evening dress. Biden thanked Hearst for “bringing to life our vision of a truly united America. I am so grateful for your talent and friendship.
What's Your Reaction?
