Campaign Couture: WAG had it first....

With the candidates for president stumping like crazy in last-ditch efforts to win voters over for their party's nomination, Hillary Clinton's wardrobe has once again become the hot topic of conversation. Cynthia Nellis of About.com posted an item on her blog today about an editor's letter from Anna Wintour of Vogue reportedly to Hillary... apparently miffed that Hillary declined to pose for the magazine. In the letter, Anna gives fashion advice to the first lady-turned-presidential hopeful. I worked on such a story for The Wag that was over a year in the making and finally published this past September. Since convo on this topic is renewed, I'm pasting that article below. I also had a sketch from top fashion designer Carmen Marc Valvo, in what HE thought Hillary should be wearing.

Title: Hillary Gets All Dolled Up
Deck: WAG asks local taste makers to dress the first Madame President

By: Jené Luciani

There are many titles you’ll see next to Chappaqua resident Hillary Rodham Clinton’s name: Senator, Former First Lady, Wife, Mother, and now, Democratic Presidential Contender but ‘fashion icon’ isn’t one of them - yet. For more than 20 years, we have looked on as Hillary’s fashion sense has evolved (and it certainly has – case in point, those headbands that she wore in the early days of the Clinton Administration) to parallel her growing political prominence. She has been leading her rivals in fundraising (interestingly, some of her largest campaign contributors are fashion industry power players including designers Diane Von Furstenberg and Vera Wang, as well as Vogue Editor-in-Chief, Anna Wintour, according to Women’s Wear Daily) but can she lead in fashion as well? And as people who take the senator and her candidacy very seriously, should we be ashamed of ourselves for even asking?

Yes and no. Like it or not, Hillary’s fashion choices matter—even in omission. Celebrity stylist and fashion guru, Lloyd Boston, author of Before You Put That On (Atria, 2005), says the candidate must walk a fine line between looking good and seeming to care too much about looking good. Paradoxically, she must be camera-ready at all times, yet appear largely disinterested in the frivolities of fashion. With all eyes on her, Boston says, the Senator’s on the right track. “Her style choices are nothing to write home about, which is exactly the point. She knows the power of restraint so that the focus is on her mind – not on her chest.” The stylist says that in general, there aren’t many female politicians who wow in the wardrobe department, but that’s a good thing. “This strategy is smart,” says Boston. “Too much style may detract from substance.” Tellingly, Sr. Vice President and Fashion Director of Neiman Marcus, Ken Downing points out that “Jackie O is really the only one who brought fashion sense into the political arena.”

So yes, we know Hillary’s fashion choices are made with an eye towards how they’ll be perceived by her many critics. We know Hillary likely has a team of her own professional stylists and image consultants working to make sure she’s Presidential- perfect (but not too perfect) at all times. But we’re under no such constraints so we asked our local trend setters to have a little fun by dressing Hillary for various state occasions—if only in effigy. Could she become the next style icon as well as the next president? On our pages, she’s already a winner!


Occasion: Signing that Universal Healthcare Bill
Trendsetter: Neiman Marcus Sr. Vice President and Fashion Director, Ken Downing. “Charcoals and pearl gray suits will work great for her, punctuated with great looking underpinnings in jewel tones like peacock blue, teal, magenta and pinks. Effortless American style – that’s very appropriate for Hillary.”
Outfit: Charcoal Wool Skirt by Akris, $895, Suede & Leather jacket by Akris, $3,990, Magenta Shell by Theory, $90, Tights by Spanx, Shoes by Christian Lacroix, all at Neiman Marcus, The Westchester.


Occasion: Charity Luncheon
Trendsetter: Marcie Kesten, Co-owner of Briarcliff boutique Contact. “We chose this look for her to go to a charity luncheon because it looks corporate and suited, but yet a little bit sexy. Instead of being stuffy and conservative, it just gives her a drop of femininity. Also the linen fabric lightens her up and is a little more day-ish.”
Outfit: Level 99 linen pants $100, and linen blazer $125, Acrobat tank $60, Hobo Belt $50 and bag $98, Jewelry by Mineral Madness, earrings $20 and necklace $150, all at Contact, Briarcliff.


Occasion: The Inaugural Ball
Trendsetter: Scott and Laurie Bandremer, owners of A Woman’s Place in New City. “Hillary emits confidence, with a true sense of feminine empowerment that serves her well in the male-dominated political realm. Likewise, this gorgeous dress from the creative minds of Fran and Loretta of Skinz is all about a quiet confidence; it is well suited for someone who knows who she is and where she is going. Perfect for Hillary!"
Outfit: Gown from Skinz, $2,900, at A Woman’s Place, New City.


Occasion: White House-worthy Hair
Trendsetter: Omar Roth, Stylist and Owner of Salon O in Greenwich, who has worked with former First Lady Nancy Reagan, as well as Westchester Congresswoman Nita Lowey: “I would keep Hillary’s hairstyle short because it suits her, however, changing to a cut with sharper and stronger angles will be much more flattering. I would like to take her color from the more conservative “first lady blonde” to a richer color that will enhance her features. A true copper, with strategically placed honey amber highlights, would definitely be my choice of color. It takes a strong, confident woman to carry red hair, and softening it with highlights will keep her image strong yet approachable.”


Sketch:

Cherry pleated silk satin faced organza gown by Carmen Marc Valvo Couture, sketch/design created especially for Hillary and The Wag by Carmen Marc Valvo, Port Chester native and renowned Fashion Designer.