Jill Biden Urges Crowd to Vote at New York Fashion Event
Jill Biden Urges Crowd to Vote at New York Fashion Event
The first lady, calling for an assault rifle ban, says 'We cannot accept these school shootings as a fact of life.'
In her first public appearance since speaking at the Democratic National Convention last month, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden told attendees at a New York fashion march that elections are about “freedom for our children to learn without fear, without hate, without gun violence.”
Biden’s appearance took place at New York's Bryant Park, where a non-partisan march was hosted by Vogue and the Council of Fashion Designers of America. The organizations also organize New York Fashion Week.
Before the first lady’s appearance, fashion industry members including designers, models and fashion label employees marched from Herald Square holding American flags and Fashion For Our Future signs, in T-shirts with the same slogan written in a black block print. Designers in attendance included Thom Browne, Zac Posen (who designed the Old Navy t-shirts worn by marchers), Michael Kors, Prabal Gurung (who led marchers in a “V-O-T-E” chant on a bullhorn), Tory Burch, and Aurora James. Vogue editor Anna Wintour, who mingled with guests before the speeches, wore espadrilles, a striped skirt, the official march T-shirt, and a Thom Browne-designed red and blue scarf from the Harris-Walz Designers from Democracy collection.
Attendees marched up Broadway and across 40th Street, passing through Secret Service security checks in front of the Alice & Olivia store on the south side of Bryant Park. A number of expensive handbags—Celine, Tory Burch, and Fendi—were searched by observing security confiscating a canister of pepper spray, and matches.
Biden was introduced by speaker, designer Thom Brown, wearing a grey shorts suit, a signature of his label. He introduced her as “a friend of our industry. She is someone who has dedicated her life to serving others, and embodies the perfect blend of style and substance. Her lifelong commitment has been to teach and help others forge their own path.” Biden emerged to cheers from the crowd.
“We love you!” one woman yelled.
Biden wore the official march t-shirt under a black Zadig & Voltaire blazer that spelled out “Love” on the back in metal studs. She wore skinny black leather pants, and grey sneakers.
Biden spoke on the importance of voting.
“You know, the clothing we wear gives us the power to make a statement without saying a word. But this year, we must wear it, say it, march for it, and do it: Vote,” she said. She told the familiar story of her first date with Joe Biden including her opinion of the shoes he wore.
“I took one look at his perfect suit and his leather loafers, and I thought, thank God it's only one date,” she said.
The crowd grew somber as the first lady acknowledged the shooting at Apalachee High School, saying, “We all stand with Georgia in sorrow and prayer. But we also have to act.”
She called for a ban on assault rifles, which elicited a huge cheer from the audience.
“We cannot accept these school shootings as a fact of life,” the first lady said.
“We cannot accept these school shootings as a fact of life,” the first lady said.
Biden also reminded the crowd that freedoms are at risk and that their next president would likely choose a Supreme Court justice, which was met with applause.
Biden turned to Browne saying that she was happy to share the stage with a “fellow Pennsylvanian.” She praised him for “bringing new life into civil engagement.”
She praised James's “unstoppable spirit ... You have a way of calling on all of us to secure lasting change.” James leads the 15 Percent Pledge, which calls on retailers to devote shelf space to Black-owned businesses.
Then the first lady turned to Wintour, who was standing offstage.
“No one has shaped this industry more than you have,” said Biden, who paused and gestured to her. Wintour smiled, raised her American flag, and blew a small kiss. “But you haven't stopped there. Now you're shaping the world. The president and I value your counsel and your friendship.”
On Thursday night, the first lady attended the Ralph Lauren show in the Hamptons with her granddaughter, Finnegan.
Melania Trump: ‘I Feel a Responsibility to Clarify the Facts’
Former first lady teases her forthcoming memoir in a social media promotion of her book.
Former First Lady Melania Trump Thursday in a highly produced black and white video posted on social media, announced she believes “it’s important to share my perspective, the truth.”
The video, which shows the former first lady speaking directly into the camera, was made in promotion of Trump’s highly anticipated memoir to be released in October.
“Writing this memoir has been a deeply personal and reflective journey for me,” Melania Trump says in the video. “As a private person who has often been the subject of public scrutiny and misinterpretation, I feel a responsibility to clarify the facts.”
“Writing this memoir has been a deeply personal and reflective journey for me,” Melania Trump says in the video. “As a private person who has often been the subject of public scrutiny and misinterpretation, I feel a responsibility to clarify the facts.”
Skyhorse Publishing will release Melania Trump's memoir this fall. Currently, the publisher’s website shows a release date of Oct. 22, 2024.
In her memoir, the publisher describes how Trump reflects on her Slovenian childhood, the pivotal moments that led her to the world of high fashion in Europe and New York, and the serendipitous meeting with Donald Trump, a chance encounter that forever changed the course of her life. The description goes on to disclose that Trump shares behind-the-scenes stories from her time in the White House, shedding light on her advocacy work and the causes close to her heart.
The title is currently only available for pre-order via melaniatrump.com/publishing, which is selling the title for $40, as well as signed copies and collector's editions for $75 and $150, respectively.
Prince Harry and Matt Damon Among Leaders Appearing at 2024 CGI Meeting
President Bill Clinton, Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Clinton Foundation Vice Chair Chelsea Clinton announced this week new leaders from across government, business, philanthropy, and civil society who will participate in the Clinton Global Initiative 2024 Annual Meeting taking place Sept. 23 and 24.
“Today, we announced our most robust lineup of participants yet with leaders who represent some of the boldest ideas and most meaningful solutions at work around the globe,” said Secretary Clinton in a news release. “Bill, Chelsea, and I are so inspired by the undoubtable impact of the CGI community–500 million people affected through programs, partnerships, and solutions that are addressing our climate crisis, economic disparities, equality for women and girls worldwide, and more.”
The CGI 2024 Annual Meeting will feature the launch of more than 100 new partnerships that advance solutions to major global challenges, known as Commitments to Action. The meeting will also feature special sessions tackling the climate crisis, global health inequity, gun violence, freedom of the press, and more.
Visit www.clintonglobal.org/2024 for program details, confirmed participants, and livestreaming during the event.
How Jacqueline Kennedy Tied Her Husband’s Funeral to Abraham Lincoln
New digital White House Historical Association exhibit examines mourning rituals surrounding deaths of presidents
“First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy understood the power of visual communication and arranged for President Kennedy’s funeral to be based on Abraham Lincoln’s, to indelibly tie her husband’s legacy to that of one of the greatest American presidents.”
This week, the White House Historical Association debuted a new digital exhibit in partnership with New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. Black Cloth: Mourning Dress and Drapery at the White House, by New York University intern Rachel Bellis, examines the dress and décor used during times of mourning at the White House from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century during the presidencies of William Henry Harrison, Zachary Taylor, Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley, Warren G. Harding, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and John F. Kennedy. Bellis worked closely with the Association’s David M. Rubenstein National Center for White House History and its Digital Library team.
The exhibit examines how black cloth was a powerful part of public and private displays of bereavement at the White House. It explores the draping of the White House façade and its interiors with black fabric for the eight presidents who died in office, and the black mourning gowns and accessories worn by their spouses.
During her research, Bellis uncovered an 1893 appropriations act that prohibited the use of mourning drapery on federal buildings following the death of President James Garfield that would extend until First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy draped the North Door and State Floor of the White House in black cloth. Additionally, an image from the William McKinley Presidential Library and Museum in Canton, Ohio, of First Lady Ida McKinley was digitized and is now available online for the first time, the WHHA announced in a news release.
“During my research process for this exhibit, I learned so much about how mourning was conducted at the White House for the eight presidents who passed away in office,” Bellis said. “The rituals surrounding mourning were very complex in the nineteenth century— it was fascinating to learn how those rules changed over time, but black cloth continued to play an important role. Looking at the fashions and textiles that the White House used for mourning the eight presidents who died in office, it is clear to me that black fabric was a key element tying together all those historic moments of grief.”
Rachel Bellis is a Costume Studies MA student at New York University in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. Mourning fashion is a particular interest of hers; she researched a mourning gown at historic New Jersey home Kingsland Manor, which inspired her work on this exhibit.
“Rachel’s dedicated research has opened a new door into the history of White House mourning traditions and has provided valuable knowledge that can be used for years to come,” said Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, in a news release.
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