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Kamala Harris lauded for wearing a dress to Inauguration, Internet says they're as professional as pant suits

The vice president is wearing a dress designed by Sergio Hudson and a coat designed by 27-year-old Black, queer designer Christopher John Rogers

With President-elect Joe Biden's swearing-in ceremony just hours away, the elected officials and former Presidents George W Bush, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and their respective spouses have arrived at the Capitol. Among them, soon-to-be Vice President Kamala Harris also arrived to much applause as she becomes the first woman, and first Black and South Asian woman to take the office.

And Harris, like Dr. Jill Biden, has opted for up-and-coming designers -- more importantly, Black designers -- to dress her for the important event. Harris is wearing a dress designed by Sergio Hudson and a coat designed by 27-year-old Black, queer designer Christopher John Rogers. Harris's outfit is completed by her signature pearls, an ode to her Alpha Kappa Alpha sisterhood. As the first woman to become the vice president of the country, all eyes were on Harris's outfit choices for the day, and the internet could not be happier that the former senator decided to forego her signature pant suit for a dress. Harris was also applauded for her choice of designers.

One user tweeted, "YAAAAS @KamalaHarris is wearing a coat/dress from a young designer from Baton Rouge!!" Another wrote, "Omg that dress/jacket @KamalaHarris is wearing is divine."

Many on social media were glad the vice president-elect opted to wear a dress. A user tweeted, "Same and honestly it fills me with so much joy that Kamala Harris is wearing a dress like not that a pant suit is a bad thing but I'm glad she wore what she wanted to even though it's more feminine." Another wrote, "Yes!!! Madam Vice President @KamalaHarris has on a dress!!!! Please normalize women wearing a dress are as strong and professional as women wearing a pants suit!!! Please!"

Who are Sergio Hudson and Christopher John Rogers?

Sergio Hudson knew early on that he wanted to be a designer - designing gowns for his mother's clients when he was just ten years old. He appeared on Bravo TV's 'Styled to Rock', a fashion-based docu-series, which gave him the opportunity to work with Miley Cyrus, Kelly Osbourne, and Pharell Williams. He achieved more success when his designs were chosen by Rihanna.

His Ready-to-Wear collection was defined by emasculate tailoring and infusions of androgyny. He has also designed for former first lady Michelle Obama. 

Christopher John Rogers is a queer and Black rising designer from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He founded his New York label in 2016 and studied fashion at the Savannah College of Art and Design. He is the recipient of the 2020 CFDA American Emerging Designer of the Year.

Dr Biden Jill wore an ocean blue wool tweed coat and dress by emerging American designer Alexandra O’Neill. Washington Post reporter, Matt Viser, tweeted, "Joe Biden today is wearing a navy suit and navy overcoat, both by American designer Ralph Lauren, according to transition officials. Dr. Jill Biden is wearing an ocean blue wool tweed coat and dress by emerging American designer Alexandra O’Neil of Markarian." While previous first ladies have often gone for established designers, Dr Biden's choice is relatively unheard of. Yet, O'Neill has already created waves since establishing her label, Markarian, in 2017.