• Celebrity
    • Of The Essence
    • Celebrity News
    • If Not For My Girls
    • The State Of R&B
    • Time Of Essence
  • Fashion
    • 2023 Best In Black Fashion Awards
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • Red Carpet
    • Fashion News
    • Accessories
  • Beauty
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • 2023 Best In Black Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Hair
  • Lifestyle
    • Love
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
    • Bridal Bliss
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
  • Entrepreneurship
    • Money & Career
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK CULTURE, COMMUNITY AND CONSCIOUSNESS MEET

Sign up for ESSENCE Newsletters the keep the Black women at the forefront of conversation.

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
Select the newsletters you'd like to receive:
Please select at least one option.
By clicking Subscribe Now, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Of The Essence
    • Celebrity News
    • If Not For My Girls
    • The State Of R&B
    • Time Of Essence
  • Fashion
    • 2023 Best In Black Fashion Awards
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • Red Carpet
    • Fashion News
    • Accessories
  • Beauty
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • 2023 Best In Black Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Hair
      • Hair News
      • Natural
      • Relaxed
      • Transitioning
      • Weave
      • 4C
  • Lifestyle
    • Love
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
    • Bridal Bliss
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
  • Entrepreneurship
    • Money & Career
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · News

Fashion Wins this Political Season

Fashion Wins this Political Season
By · Updated October 29, 2020
01
Politicians & Designers Seek Mass Appeal

Politicians, like fashion designers, are always on the hunt for exciting new ways to generate mass appeal. Politicians appeal to us to support their causes and legislative agendas, while designers appeal to our senses and desires for new and innovative fashions. Two very different arenas, current politics and fashion, coincide because they are both fueled by an image for change. In September 2008, IMG presented with “Fashion Wins” as the theme for Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week Spring 2009’s international designer showcase of collections.

By Qianna Smith

Fashion Wins this Political Season
Getty Images
02
Changing Fashion & Political Season

As Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama campaigns across America, he is using his very unique political style and promise for change to persuade American voters that he should be elected to lead and design a new political makeover for our country. The designers presenting their spring 2009 collections during New York Fashion Week used their brand name, reputation and creative ingenuity to suggest what we should wear for the coming season.

Fashion Wins this Political Season
Getty Images
03
Tracy Reese Presents at Fashion Week New York Spring 2009

Parsons School of Design alum Tracy Reese is a sophisticated designer with the intelligence to understand what the Tracy Reese woman wants to wear. When you need an amazing dress for a cocktail event or a special occasion, rely on Reese to deliver a frock that is pretty, feminine and chic.

Fashion Wins this Political Season
Getty
04
Tracy Reese Spring 2009

Reese’s spring 2009 show was presented to a packed crowd at in the main tent at New York’s Bryant Park, a step up from last season’s spot in the Promenade. The collection was colorful and dainty, with lace and silk free flowing on the runway.

Fashion Wins this Political Season
Getty
05
Starry Night

The movement in Reese’s designs was amazing. Each piece moved like a journey of lovers being swept away in the midst of a starry night. This collection had a very romantic vibe. The sound system was even blaring tunes with words like, “Love makes you beautiful.”

Fashion Wins this Political Season
Getty
06
Spring Back

Many of the pervading colors we saw on the runways for Spring 2008 such as purple, green and yellow will be back in full swing next season, as was evident in Reese’s collection. So ladies, do not go overboard by throwing everything out from last spring. One accessory trend that we loved was the cascading earrings that models donned and which gave these girly designs just a bit of edge and confidence.

Fashion Wins this Political Season
Getty
07
A Man With a Plan

A designer worthy of immense recognition is b. michael. His career in fashion spans over a decade. Michael’s designs have appeared in movies, TV shows such as “Ugly Betty,” and have been spotted on the runways in not only New York, but also Beijing and London, and featured on and in fashion editorials for high-profile celebrities such as Halle Berry, Beyoncé and Cate Blanchett. With so many achievements, it is surprising that b. michael is not a household name. But, not to worry, this designer is a man with a plan. His plan for spring 2009 is to have women be seen in crisp, clean lines. The collection showcased a pastel scheme of colors reminiscent of Easter with a splash of polka dots and paisley.

Fashion Wins this Political Season
www.bmichaelcouture.com
08
Dress Me Up

A flair for the fabulous, b. michael’s collections aren’t complete without a few long, “look at me” evening gowns. The finale gown pictured right was regally elegant with a timeless silhouette. b. michael is a permanent fixture in the world of fashion, so just learn to love him because he is not going anywhere anytime time soon.

Fashion Wins this Political Season
www.bmichaelcouture.com
09
Bold Designs from Berlin

The energy and excitement on the runway at pureberlin was thrilling to watch as everyday people took to the catwalk. Each model was a representation of the streets of Berlin. It was fun fashion, pure fashion for spring 2009. “We concentrate on our few favorite items: Wearable everyday clothing. We create classics that suit any kind of moment… The qualities of our fabrics belong to the best there are on the market, all in 100 percent cotton. The colors are muted, sometimes washed out to create a used look. Piece-dyeing and details show how carefully everything is designed… Plus, all our pieces are biologically certified through the Ökotex Stabdard 100 seal,” confirmed designer Annabelle Mandeng, pictured left, taking a bow after the show with her friend Jesko Klatt.

Fashion Wins this Political Season
Qianna Smith
10
pureberlin Spring 2009 collection at Berlin Fashion Week

The only Black designer who showed in the tent at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin Spring 2009 was Annabelle Mandeng, whose label pureberlin is all about real people and everyday style. Real people have the power to make a difference on the catwalk or on the campaign trail.
www.pureberlin.com

Fashion Wins this Political Season
Qianna Smith
11
Celebrities Support Political and Fashion Causes

Chris Brown supports Obama and Rihanna lends her celebrity to good causes too. She graced the Dsquared2 runway in Milan to support the designs of the popular duo. The brothers, originally from Canada, left their homeland in 1991 for bella Italia with a dream to become a leading European brand. Three years later, they took Milan Fashion Week by storm, and have enjoyed success ever since.

Fashion Wins this Political Season
Getty
12
Catwalk Call

The DSquared2 spring 2008 collection started out with a surprise cameo by singing sensation Rihanna, who strutted her stuff down the runway to the sounds of her hit song “Umbrella.”

Fashion Wins this Political Season
Getty
13
Rihanna Rules the Runway

With Rihanna setting the mood right at DSquared2, you could only sit back and enjoy the dangerously seductive looks they sent down the runway. The highlight of the collection was the swimwear pieces that made the models look like glamazon’s oozing of confidence. The crystal-encrusted necklines, ruffled accents and dramatic one-piece cutouts stole the show.

Fashion Wins this Political Season
Getty Images
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now