For her official acceptance speech at the Democratic Convention, Kamala Harris chose a suit by Altazurra.
Before the Senator took the stage for the historic speech, husband Doug Emhoff tweeted a photo.
The separates Ms. Harris wore are in a color called “juniper berry” by Altuzarra, but the night of the speech they were called everything from aubergine to plum to burgundy to maroon. The jacket is similar to the label’s ‘Indiana’ Blazer ($1595), a double-breasted style made of a 69% Triacetate/31% Polyester fabric blend. It features notched lapels, a chest welt pocket, and two flap pockets. The Senator’s jacket does not have the top row of buttons seen on the style below.
The Senator’s trousers look similar to the ‘Serge’ High-Rise Flared Crêpe Pants ($559), crafted of the same material.
The style features a front zipper, button and hook closure, front and back pockets, and partial lining. Distinctive design elements include the wide waistband and belt loops.
The label was founded in 2008 by Joseph Altuzarra and it is based in New York. Mr. Altuzarra says the brand’s mission is to “design a modern wardrobe for women to feel confident and sexy in their everyday lives.”
Altuzarra was among the nineteen fashion labels chosen to design a piece for the campaign’s Believe in Better collection, limited edition items made in America by union workers. The designs are available at JoeBiden.com; purchases count as donations to the campaign’s Victory Fund. Below, the Blue Floral Bandana Scarf ($45) by Altuzarra.
Another view of the candidate and her husband, this time after the speech.
Beneath the jacket Ms. Harris wore a top that looked as though it is a velveteen or other shiny material. I don’t yet have it identified but will update the post if that changes.
Thoughts on the suit from this Vogue piece:
The colors of suffrage are three: white, symbolizing purity; gold, hope; and purple, loyalty. When Harris accepted the nomination for vice president, becoming the first Black and Indian-American woman to do so, her favorite pearl necklace (created by fellow Californian Irene Neuwirth) accessorized a pantsuit by Altuzarra in a bordeaux color that is a variant of purple. Could it be that this was Harris’s way of acknowledging suffrage while also serving testament to the fact that women of color, who participated in the cause, did not reap its benefits?
The Vice Presidential nominee accessorized with an oft-worn piece, her double-strand pearl necklace by California jeweler Irene Neuwirth. Ms. Harris wears pearl necklaces and earrings frequently, and this necklace is one of her “go-to” pieces. Many thanks to fashion journalist Booth Moore for the necklace info.
Made with 18K yellow gold links and alternating Akoya and South Sea pearls, it is from the brand’s Gumball Fine Jewelry Collection. Below, an 18″ version of the necklace ($11,480).
More from The Robb Report:
Neuwirth, whose designs have been seen on Hollywood power players from Julia Roberts to Maya Rudolph, declined to comment on her design being worn by a woman in the running for the second-highest office in the land. She did, however, take to Instagram, saying: “I am so proud you chose to wear your Irene Neuwirth necklace tonight of all nights. You are smart and thoughtful and confident and inspiring and a boss! What an honor.”
As many readers may know, Ms. Harris frequently wears pearls. They have particular symbolism for her college sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, the nation’s oldest Black sorority. More from this Vanity Fair story:
But Harris’s fondness for pearls goes much deeper than any political stylist’s involvement. She proudly wears a single-strand pearl necklace and drop earrings in her 1986 graduation picture from Howard University, where she was part of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. AKA—the first Black Greek-letter sorority—has a legendary story in which they refer to their founding members and incorporators as the “Twenty Pearls.” Each new member is given a special badge decorated with 20 pearls upon initiation.
“Pearls represent refinement and wisdom,” said Glenda Glover, international president of Alpha Kappa Alpha and president of Tennessee State University. “We train young ladies to be leaders and to make sure they have the wisdom to lead…and that goes hand in hand with the true meaning of what Alpha Kappa Alpha is all about.”
Harris’s string of pearls may belong to her alone, but they carry extra meaning for her AKA sisters. “The strand of pearls speaks to solidarity among the members,” said Glover. And for one of their members to make history as the first Black woman to ever run on a major party’s national ticket? “It’s a great moment for AKA,” Glover said. “For African Americans. For women. Whether she wears pearls or not, it’s an inspiration.”
Ms. Harris also wore a pair of frequently seen mabe pearl earrings that go back at least ten years; they are not identified.
Here is a video of the full speech.
- A transcript of the speech is available here.
- The full Vanity Fair story by Daisy Shaw-Ellis about the significance of pearls for the Senator may be seen here
- Vanessa Friedman’s NY Times piece about the ensemble is here
- Tira Urquhart’s BET article on the Believe in Better collection is here
vicki says
I thought this was exceptionally appropriate – tying in many of her preferences.
Thrilled to see this website………fingers crossed it will continue for years.