So in keeping with delayed responses to fashion, did anyone else find the Obama/Versace flap odd? On June 22, 2008, it was widely reported that Donatella Versace declared that Barack Obama was "the man of the moment,'' and dedicated her Spring-Summer 2009 collection to him. Ms. Versace declared that the style in the show was designed for "a relaxed man who doesn't need to flex muscles to show he has power.'' The news buzzed out to blogs all over the net, and snaked its way into a Matt Lauer reference on The Today Show.
Then on June 25, 2008, Ms. Versace issued a statement refuting the claim."It was the type of man Barack Obama represents that inspired the men's Spring 2009 collection," said a Versace spokesman. "A modern man with a laid back relaxed look and attitude. Not Obama himself." Such a fine distinction requests a little more attention. Why the need for Ms. Versace to clarify? Could it be due to Obama's silence in the wake of such a public dedication? And why did Obama fail to acknowledge such a dedication? Is he leaving the fashion limelight to his wife?
Could it be his desire to distance himself further from growing comparisons to JFK, who gave up his affection for Savile Row once the media caught whiff of his taste in expensive suits? Across the world, the Obama's are being called the new Kennedy's. The elitist tagline can't be too far behind, so perhaps Obama will simply have a quiet preference for American brands over the international flash of Versace.
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