As promised, I am back with a post packed full of item IDs, some of them fun finds and others requiring additions to the ‘Favorite Things’ list, brands Ms. Harris has three or more items from (we’re looking at you, Mr. Blahnik). Our first item is a vibrant blazer the Vice President-elect has worn for several years.
Above and below, photos posted by Doug Emhoff, the Vice President-elect’s husband, back on October 31, 2019, when then-candidate Harris was at an Iowa campaign headquarters.
Most recently the VPE wore the jacket when appearing on the BET Hip Hop Awards in October to speak about supporting HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities).
She thanked BET “…and everyone at home for taking this moment to lift up our HBCUs.” From her remarks:
As a proud HBCU alum, a graduate of Howard University, and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and the Divine Nine, I know there is nowhere like an HBCU campus to fully appreciate the power, the dignity, and the diversity of the voices in our country. It’s where so many of us go to strengthen our voices, to pursue our dreams, and explore our roles in the fight for justice.
As a country, we face enormous challenges, and now, more than ever, we need black scientists and engineers and doctors and teachers and public servants to help us build the shared future that we all deserve.
So let’s support our HBCUs. Let’s lift up our voices for a better future. Thank you to BET and everyone.
The jacket is a past-season design by Valentino.
The wool blazer has shades of orange, rust, turquoise, gold, and brown; the trim is rich brown velvet or leather. (I have seen it described both ways.) It has a fitted silhouette with one-button front closure, pleated pockets at the hip, dual back vent, a single button at the sleeve cuff. Here is a closer look at one of the pockets and a lapel.
This image of Ms. Harris speaking with volunteers in Iowa during her presidential campaign offers a good look at the back of the garment.
There are more photos of the piece in this eBay auction. Below, one more look at Ms. Harris and the blazer.
Our next ID also covers an ensemble also made by an Italian brand. Below, the VPE on August 19th at the Democratic convention.
The jacket and matching trousers are by Piazza Sempione.
The fitted jacket is made of virgin wool with a touch of Elastane for stretch and ease of movement.
It features vented cuffs, pocket flaps at the waist, a chest pocket, and notch lapels.
The jacket is available at Farfetch ($604, originally $1208), at Saks Off 5th ($369.99), and at Eraldo ($321).
The trousers are made of the same fabric and have a front zip closure, belt loops, side slash pockets and back welt pockets. They are available at Saks ($172, originally $695) in very limited sizing.
There is also a skirt in this material; it is in stock at Halsbrook ($252) in limited sizes. Ms. Harris has had the ensemble for some time, you see her wearing it below in November 2019 for the MSNBC/Washington Post Democratic presidential debate.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe company takes its name from the famous piazza in Milan; that is where it showed its first collection in 1991. All of its clothing is made in Italy. As described by Vogue, “Piazza Sempione provides an intelligent wardrobe for intelligent women: Well-cut pieces with an unobtrusive yet appealing fashion gradient, timeless but updated with an au courant vibe.” Below, another view of the Vice president-elect wearing the look.
We now move to the next part of our post, a look at just some of the Vice President-elect’s Manolo Blahnik footwear. Ms. Harris has spoken about her fondness for her Chuck Taylors (a sneaker style by Converse) but she is also quite a Manolo Blahnik fan.
We begin with one of her go-to styles: the Lisa in Black Leather ($665). Below you see Ms. Harris wearing the shoe just before her speech at the Democratic Convention in August.
The Lisa is a classic point-toe style available in different heel heights; in this instance, Ms. Harris wore the 70mm (2.75″) heel.
She also wears the black leather Lisa in a slightly higher heel, the 90mm style (heel is about 3.5″).
The Vice President-elect is often seen in the Lisa 70mm in tan leather. Below right, the shoe as worn at an August 2019 campaign event in Des Moines, Iowa.
The Lisa was offered with an almond toe as well. Below you see the Vice President-elect wearing the design in black patent leather at LAX in March 2016 (and carrying a classic Goyard tote).
The shoe is much like the point-toe Lisa, but with a softer, rounded toe.
A similar style in beige patent leather, the BB, is a classic for the brand and another go-to for Ms. Harris. Below you see her wearing that style on August 12 when she was announced as the Democratic candidate for vice president.
Here is a closer look at the point-toe style in a 70mm heel.
The Vice resident-elect wears the BB in several colors and finishes, including this Black Patent 105mm style ($665).
For those curious about the difference between the ‘Lisa’ and the ‘BB,’ the distinction is the heel shape. The ‘Lisa’ heel is a straighter design with the stiletto set close to the back of the shoe, while the ‘BB’ has a slight curve to it and the heel itself is centered a little more under the wearer’s heel.
Ms. Harris has worn the ‘BB 105’ in grey patent leather many times. Below, you see her wearing the style at the Sojourner Truth Women’s Leadership Reception in September 2018 in tandem with the annual Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.
Embed from Getty ImagesIt is the classic BB silhouette with its pointed toe and stiletto heel.
A black patent style that is similar to the almond toe Lisa, the ‘Foka,’ is another design the VPE has worn. You can see her wearing it in this photo from a 2015 campaign event, and below, a product shot.
“ZIPPIER” STYLES
There are several designs the VPE has worn that are more colorful and a step beyond the brand’s ‘basic’ styles. The ‘Campari’ Cap-Toe Pump (no longer available) was seen when Ms. Harris wore it in May 2015 at an event for her stepdaughter’s birthday at Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles in West Los Angeles.
The ‘Campari’ is a classic Mary Jane with a point-toe design.
The style continues to be offered by Manolo Blahnik in a variety of colors and finishes. Below left, the shoe in dark blue wool at Manolo Blahnik ($745); in beige patent leather at Intermix ($745); in black patent at Brown’s ($745).
Another two-color style worn by Ms. Harris: the ‘Pretati’ in black patent with white trim. You can just make out the pumps in this July 2015 photo of then-Attorney General Harris and Vice President Joe Biden with a student named Alfonso Lua.
The style features a classic point toe, 3.5″ heel, and two-tone coloring with white leather accenting the black patent leather.
Below, Ms. Harris wearing the pumps at the April 2015 Women in the World Summit in New York City.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhen appearing on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in May 2019, Ms. Harris opted for another two-color style.
More specifically, the ‘Bipunta’ Black Snakeskin Cap Toe Pump ($765, no longer available), a point-toe design in black accented with silver metallic snakeskin print.
When inducted into The Links, an international non-profit with more than 16,000 members, it appears Ms. Harris wore the Trova Cap Toe Pumps.
The ‘Trova’ ($815, no longer available) has a 4″ heel, adjustable ankle strap, and distinctive metallic silver toe.
At an October 2011 California Public Policy Institute event, the Vice President-elect wore the brand’s Butterfly Cutout style.
Here is a better look at the shoe, with its softly sculpted heel and cutout detailing over the toebox.
There are several other Manolo Blahnik styles Ms. Harris wears; for some, I could not locate licensable photos or images on social media. One such style was worn at a Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project in October 2010, when Ms. Harris, then California’s Democratic nominee for Attorney General, wore the Black Patent Bow Buckle Pump.
When visiting a gallery with Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority sisters at Howard University, her alma mater, Ms. Harris appeared to be wearing the brand’s Black Patent D’Orsay Pumps. The shoe features a classic D’Orsay design, with the vamp cut away on both the inside and outside of the shoes, showing the arch of the foot. This particular style features pony hair detailing on the toebox.
There are several more styles I need to add to this collection. I will have Manolo Blahnik added to the ‘Favorites’ page in the next day or two.
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