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subscribe to style file blog via RSSBlasblog: ALT Brings Political Bling To Calvin Klein Pre-Fall
December 10, 2008 6:14 pm
The Calvin Klein pre-fall show venue was an all-white, very minimal space on the 11th floor of the Van Heusen-owned brand’s headquarters on 39th Street. While most of the attendants in the single row of editors—and one celeb in the form of Rose Byrne—dressed in simple clothes and cardi sets, smack-dab in the middle sat Vogue editor at large André Leon Talley in a trench and a sequined and rhinestoned Obama victory ski cap. After the show I got the skinny on the hat: Talley purchased it on December 3, on his way to an Alvin Ailey benefit, from Gerald Matthews, a 31-year-old African-American wearing a peacoat embellished with no less than a diamanteé Obama silhouette and selling Obama gear from the back of his truck. ALT bought the hat on the spot, wore it into the gala, where he sat next to Gayle King (Oprah was the honorary chair), and kept it on for the night. But this hat is merely the newest addition to Talley’s Obama headgear wardrobe. He also has a Juicy Couture cap he covers in buttons (maybe you saw that one at the CFDA Fashion Fund dinner), a hat from Gap’s voting-themed collaboration with artist Kara Walker, and a Ralph Lauren ski cap that he decorates with all of his Walker pins from the Gap. “This is the first time I’ve become political with my fashion,” Talley told me. “But I feel like I have to. I couldn’t not. I never thought I would see an African-American man become President-Elect.” He likes his newest topper so much that he collected Mathews’ contact information, found his Web site (www.obamaapparel.com), and—ALT friend spoiler alert!—is planning to give similar memorabilia as Christmas presents. Talley added that as an early supporter (he worked in phone booths starting in January of this year up until the night of the election, when he was in Chicago), if he goes to the inaugural ball, he will ask Matthews to emblazon a festive cape with either Barack or Michelle’s face. (Why not?) And what of the Calvin Klein presentation he just saw? “Oh yes, I shan’t forget that,” he bellowed. “I thought it was fantastic. I thought the green dress was beautiful—and it’s always difficult to do one color mixed in with black and white, but he made it work.”
tags: Andre Leon Talley, Calvin Klein, Gap, Kara Walker, Obama
strict space for buddy. craving to get more from your side
By Penisa on 12/28/08 at 1:49 pm