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WaPo: Hillary Clinton, ‘Style Icon’

Hillary Clinton
AP
September 16, 2016

The Washington Post’s fashion critic is calling Hillary Clinton a "style icon" that is influencing top designer’s runway shows.

Comparing Clinton to the "not a great beauty" Georgia O’Keefe, Robin Givhan says designers are being inspired by the Democratic presidential nominee’s "strength."

"But beyond cut and color, designers are obsessing about strong and powerful women who are independent and enduring — perhaps even a bit scandalous," Givhan wrote Friday. "There has been talk of O’Keeffe, Germaine Greer, Gloria Steinem, influential mothers and grandmothers — and of course, Hillary Clinton."

Givhan admits that Clinton is definitely not "the typical fashion icon," but sees Clinton’s influence in designs from Narciso Rodriguez, including one ensemble similar to Hilary’s Mao-inspired outfits she wore during debates.

"The Democratic presidential nominee is, by no means, the typical fashion icon, not in the manner of an actress, a musician or even First Lady Michelle Obama," Givhan writes. "But it is hard to deny her influence, whether direct or indirect — on so many designers. The historic nature of her campaign is in the air; and much of Seventh Avenue has been quite clear about supporting her."

While she has called Melania Trump a "professional pretty person" whose "livelihood was based on genetics, luck, and tenacity," and Ivanka Trump "airbrushed," Givhan has nothing but praise for Clinton.

She writes about Clinton talking about a pink purse she bought five years ago:

Their runway presentations call to mind a 2011 interview in Harper’s Bazaar during which Clinton talked about a host of weighty issues but also addressed a few fashion topics. "I have this Ferragamo hot-pink bag that I adore," she said. "My view was that I would carry it around only in spring, but it makes me so happy, I’m even now lugging it around in January. I mean, how can you be unhappy if you pick up a big pink bag?"

"If a man can take time from his boardroom duties to yap about his favorite basketball team, his golf game and his vintage cars, surely a woman should be able to look up from her policy papers for a brief fashion reverie without facing criticism," Givhan said.

Published under: Hillary Clinton