Oprah Winfrey and Gwen Walz Showcase Designer Fashions at DNC

Freedom, neighborly behavior, reproductive rights, reducing prescription drug prices, and paid family and medical leave were significant talking points at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday night. High-profile attendees like Oprah Winfrey, Hillary Clinton, and Gwen Walz brought attention to major brands through their wardrobe choices, including Christian Siriano, CH Carolina Herrera, and Badgley Mischka. Former First Lady Michelle Obama seemed to set an unofficial dress code for the event with her tailored Monse ensemble on Monday night, echoing Vice President Kamala Harris’ penchant for pantsuits.

Representatives from various designer companies are highlighting their connections to the DNC, capitalizing on the exposure in a challenging retail climate. The first night of DNC coverage drew in 20 million viewers, while the second night attracted 20.8 million viewers, according to Nielsen ratings.

Oprah Winfrey made a surprise appearance on center stage in a custom purple silk crepe pantsuit by Christian Siriano. Siriano mentioned that the ensemble, inspired by a runway look, was created last week with the help of her stylist, Annabelle Harron. Siriano noted that he had already customized patterns for Winfrey, ensuring a perfect fit for the media mogul.

Winfrey’s DNC attire was chosen in royal purple for its elegance rather than for any ties to her role in the 1985 film “The Color Purple.” While Winfrey’s exact look is currently not available for retail, Siriano offers similar items on his e-commerce site, like an oversized gray blazer with a draped corset for $2,295 and wide-leg trousers with a cuffed hem for $1,695.

Following Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s official acceptance of his new role, his wife Gwen and their children, Hope and Gus, joined him on stage. Gwen Walz wore a tea-length Badgley Mischka dress, a long-sleeved coat dress with a pleated waist, from the nearly 40-year-old label. The navy dress is available online for $595.

Interestingly, Badgley Mischka seems to be a common choice for wives of political figures across party lines. Usha Vance, the Republican vice president nominee’s wife, wore an off-the-shoulder cobalt blue Badgley Mischka dress at the Republican National Convention last month. The $495 dress was a personal purchase by Vance.

Badgley and Mischka declined to comment on Gwen Walz’s dress, just as they had not spoken about Vance’s RNC dress.

Michelle Obama’s sleeveless midnight blue crisscross jacket with tuxedo cuff pants from Monse also caught attention on Monday night. The ensemble is available for preorder on the Monse site, with the jacket priced at $1,690 and the pants at $890. However, consumers will have to wait until after the Nov. 5 presidential election for shipping.

Former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi opted for a business casual look, wearing a Lafayette 148 lavender pantsuit. Alex Gobo, senior vice president of fashion communications and VIP relations at Lafayette 148, mentioned that Pelosi is a loyal customer and likely purchased the outfit at retail. The full retail price for the jacket was $1,698, and the pants were $898.

Hillary Clinton also embraced the business casual theme, watching her husband Bill’s speech while wearing a black jacquard two-tone textured peplum jacket from CH Carolina Herrera.

Even casual attire featured prominently in speeches. Former President Barack Obama referenced Tim Walz’s casual style, noting that the flannel shirts Walz wears are authentic and have “been through some stuff.” Gwen Walz, in the audience, confirmed Obama’s statement by posting a photo of Tim Walz sewing a Filson flannel jacket on social media. A spokesperson for Filson confirmed that one of Walz’s well-worn pieces is the $550 red and black plaid Filson Mackinaw Cruiser, which he even wore for his 2022 Paul Bunyon costume.

Source: WWD