political style

Fashion Caucus Could Make Capitol Hill Trendy, Sexy

During Fashion Week, one of Michelle Obama’s favorite designers, Maria Cornejo, told us she thought Washington, D.C., was becoming more fashionable. She had visited our nation’s capital earlier this year to fight for the Design Piracy Prohibition Act, a controversial bill that seeks to protect designers from knockoffs. It looks like Cornejo is on to something — whether or not our nation’s lawmakers are dressing better, they certainly seem more interested in and supportive of clothes in general: WWD reports a burgeoning “Fashion Caucus” is gaining momentum on Capitol Hill. The Greater Washington Fashion Chamber of Commerce is trying to establish a Fashion Caucus to fight for issues affecting the fashion industry (such as copyright protection for apparel) and is gathering the support of actual lawmakers. These esteemed left-leaning individuals include Representatives Diane Watson (Democrat of California), Carolyn Maloney (Democrat, New York), Kendrick Meek (Democrat, Florida), Sheila Jackson-Lee (Democrat, Texas), Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, D.C.), Chaka Fattah (Democrat, Pennsylvania), Rosa DeLauro (Democrat, Connecticut), and House Judiciary Committee chairman John Conyers (Democrat, Michigan). Other issues the caucus would tackle include protecting New York’s garment district and creating an endowment fund to provide scholarships to fashion students.

There is perhaps no better time for the fashion industry to gain a stronger voice in our nation’s legislature. Despite Barack Obama’s penchant for Mom Jeans, this is one of the most fashionable administrations ever, mostly thanks to America’s most visible fashion icon, Michelle Obama. A Fashion Caucus would only make Washington even trendier and sexier. And after this group saves the garment district and sends some kids to college, they might be able to work on some sort of open letter to America about the pitfalls of panty lines, Crocs, and other fashion offenses.

Will Capitol Hill Get a “Fashion Caucus”? [WWD]

Fashion Caucus Could Make Capitol Hill Trendy, Sexy