The New Black

Wall Street may be losing faith in Barack, but the fashionistas are not so skeptical—Obamamania's all over the runways. At Milan's fashion week in February, designer Gattinoni showed off a kaftan gown with a head-to-toe portrait of the commander in chief (the slogan CHANGE ran along the hemline), while Italian Vogue showcased campaign T shirts paired with feather headpieces. New York fashion week also peddled the Obama magic: Jason Wu, who crafted Michelle Obama's inauguration dress, was one of the hottest tickets in town; the African Fashion Collective Show culminated with a white, body-hugging dress by Xuly Bet, who silk-screened a red, white and blue Obama portrait onto the sheer material. And whether or not it's a true supposition, fashion insiders credit the larger presence of models of color this year to the new first family. Hold onto your Manolos—there's a new tastemaker in town.

© 2009