Both VP Kamala Harris And Michelle Obama Rocked Black Designers For The Inauguration
Many people in the fashion world know that having your designs paraded around on some of the biggest names in entertainment, is designer gold. It's the sure way to catapult your name and brand above the status quo; to cross over the threshold of fashion, to designer in high-demand.
In, walks Sergio Hudson. Originally from South Carolina, the young black brainchild behind his top tier Sergio Hudson Designs, has worked with celebrities including Miley Cyrus, Kelly Osbourne and Pharrell Williams. Additionally, he advanced throughout this extremely competitive industry, to emerge a winner when his designs were chosen by singer and fashion icon Rihanna.
Christopher John Rogers is a young, Black, and queer, rising star, who founded his New York label in 2016, was raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and studied fashion at the Savannah College of Art and Design.
Each are making waves as he dressed both Kamala Harris and Michelle Obama for Joe Biden's Presidential Inauguration. The former First Lady opted to wear a light plum suit by Sergio Hudson, which featured high-waist, wide-leg pants, a cozy turtleneck, and a floor-length coat, all tied together with a statement-making gold-hardware belt. She killlllled the look, sending the world wide web into a freenzy, accessorizing with black suede Stuart Weitzman boots, a black Christy Rilling face mask (which was simple, but set the 'fit out), and black leather gloves.
Oh, and sis was wearing the curls for the girls, as she donned a bomb silk press for the people, literally causing the word 'LAID' to begin trending on Twitter!
This isn't the first time Michelle has repped Sergio Hudson. That purple power suit she snatched our edges with in 2019, well, that was custom-made by Sergio too.
Getty / Paras Griffin
Vice President Kamala Harris wore a Christopher John Rogers ensemble, a calf-length peacoat and matching dress, complete with pearls to symbolize her AKA roots. Rogers is known for having an eye for color, and his choice of an iridescent purple for today's inauguration is almost certainly a symbolic one.
Additionally, for the candlelight vigil at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to honor of the more than 400,000 lives lost to the COVID-19 pandemic, Harris wore a camel coat by Pyer Moss, another New York label designed by a young Black talent. Pyer Moss' founder Kerby Jean-Raymond, who is the son of Haitian immigrants, gained steam when he transformed his studio into a PPE donation center and provided emergency grants for women- and minority-owned small businesses affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
And let's just say, the people are here for it all!
Reclaiming titles:
Making grand entrances:
Snatching wigs:
Picking up on the shade:
And celebrating the MAGIC!
Alexa, play "Brown Skin Girl".
Alexa, play 'Brown Skin Girl!'
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Charmin Michelle is a southern native and creative spirit who works as a content marketer and events manager in Chicago. She enjoys traveling, #SummertimeChi, and the journey of mastering womanhood. Connect with her on Instagram @charminmichelle.
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September is National Self-Care Awareness Month, so for my girlies who have been putting off self-care, here’s your opportunity to start. Self-care means exactly what it says: taking care of self. Why is it important? Well, many of us have busy lives that may include careers, family, and activities that consume us daily. Taking some time for self regularly can help prevent depression, stress, anxiety, and burnout.
In February 2023, Future Forum polled 10,243 people in six countries, including the U.S., and 40% said they are experiencing burnout, and 46% of that number are women. According to CNBC, many factors contributing to burnout include companies demanding employees return to the office, hiring freezes, and layoffs.
Psychologist Debbie Sorensen explained to CNBC why women and millennials are experiencing burnout in higher numbers. “We haven’t had time to recover from the trauma of what we’ve been through the last few years,” she said. “Women and young people, in particular, are putting an immense amount of pressure on themselves to keep going, keep working, no matter the cost.”
As women, particularly Black women, we tend to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. Other people's problems become our problems, and then we are expected to show up to work and show up for our family and friends with a smile on our faces. Whew, chile! What if we are having a bad day? How are we supposed to cope if we have to be everything to everyone? Well, here’s your sign to make time for yourself, especially on the days when you are feeling down.
Below is a list of self-care ideas for when you are having a bad day.
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Spend time in nature
Sometimes something as simple as surrounding yourself with trees, grass, and/ or water can improve your mood exponentially. The American Psychological Association’s (APA) research shows that spending time in nature can improve attention, lower stress, and reduce the risk of psychiatric disorders.
Got to a Spa
There’s nothing like going to a spa. You can relax in a sauna, get a massage, and just be. According to research, massages help release serotonin and dopamine, which are often referred to as “feel good” hormones, that will instantly perk you up and have you going about your day with a smile on your face.
Get Artsy
When was the last time you did arts and crafts? Drawing a picture, painting, or even coloring can help you discover your inner child, thus boosting your mood. Purchase an adult coloring book, or go to a paint-and-sip class by yourself, or you can make it a group activity and bring your besties.
Look your best
The old saying, “When you look good, you feel good,” didn’t just come out of thin air. There’s some truth to it. The Kentucky Counseling Center shared a link between self-care and feeling good. “Self-care regimens are extremely important not just to stabilize your day but to make you feel great. Simple things like getting a facial, taking care of your hair done, or exercising can make you confident because when you look good, you also feel good,” according to its website.
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Breathwork
There’s a reason why it is suggested that you breathe when you begin feeling overwhelmed and stressed out. Breathing brings oxygen back into your body, and WebMD reports that it can decrease the fight or flight response that happens when you are stressed.
Spend time with babies
I don’t know about you, but nothing makes me smile quicker than a baby, especially a smiling baby. If you’re the same way, then spending time with a baby or babies may help put you in a better mood, too.
Do nothing
Last but certainly not least, do nothing. There’s nothing like laying in your bed and not being forced to do anything. Stay in this moment and use this time to relax and replenish your energy.
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