7th Avenue: A Much Chicer United Nations

On the same day that the United States' first African-American president has nominated a Hispanic woman for a Supreme Court appointment (another first if Sonia Sotomayor is elected), Women's Wear Daily muses on the melting pot that is Fashion's 7th Avenue. The article opens, "Unlike any other fashion capital, Seventh Avenue has undergone a remarkable transformation in the past decade. Where once the industry was the domain of Italian-Americans and Jewish immigrants in pursuit of the American dream, it is now a melting pot reflective of the changing demographics of the city itself." In fact, the nationalities of CFDA members read like something out of an UN roster, rather than a homogeneous hodgepodge. Take the handful of much-talked about designers that the First Lady has donned during her time in office, for instance, and the proof is apparent. Michelle Obama favorites Isabel Toledo and Narciso Rodriguez are Cuban-American, while Maria Cornejo is from Chile; meanwhile Thakoon and Jason Wu were both born in Thailand.

Speaking of the First Lady’s sartorial interests, while Michelle Obama has had an immense impact http://www.blackbookmag.com/article/the-michelle-obama-bailout/7615 on shining new light on lesser known designers and acted as a boost (albeit not necessarily an entire bailout) for the fashion industry, the President hasn’t had quite so much luck in the clothing department. According to the Financial Times, “Hartmarx, the parent company of Barack Obama’s favourite tailor, Hart Schaffner Marx, has been in Chapter 11 since January—just after the new president showcased their products during his swearing-in.” The Financial Times argues, “the problem is that, while Americans may like Obama, it seems they don’t want to dress like him.” But, I think it’s the sheer fact that even President Obama can’t make banker-chic cool again.