Meter

Issue date: 11/10/08 Section: Arts & Culture

Media Credit: Shannon Cohen (The Meter)

This year's presidential election has brought about many new changes, along with its collection of atypical candidates.

Amid the swirl of political musing and debates, another trend has emerged as a popular alternative among voters and this year's politically aware citizens.

That trend is political fashion and the new muse for the style is 2008's U.S. Presidential Democratic Nominee Barack Obama.

While he is a common face on television screens and campaign posters, Obama also made a name for himself, via unofficial and official prints of his likeness on everything from T-shirts to earrings and sneakers.

"As soon as I saw the T-shirts, I knew I had to have one," said Belinda Matheson, a senior biology major from Pontiac, Mich.
"He's a worthy president and since my daughter can't vote, she can support him, too."

While supporters have taken Obama from the campaign to the streets and into their personal style, the fashion industry has also taken Obama to the high-fashion runway.

According to the British-based newspaper, The Telegraph, designers in France's Fashion Week have been using the name and image of the presidential front-runner.

The centerpiece of European designer Sonia Rykiel created a sequined dress, emblazed with the senator's likeness.

"Hearing that (Obama) is a hit in France is an honest shock," Matheson said. "Then again, he is nice looking, too."

In addition to the exposure that clothing has inspired for the presidential candidate in the international realm, it has also inspired local artists and vendors to get in on the trend.

The shirts can be purchased on the streets for as cheap as $10, and the vendors even have hats and jewelry with Obama's name or face on them.

"I'm excited about the election, and he is a good representation for African Americans," said Annika Davis, a senior mass communications major from Detroit.

Davis wears a pair of Obama earrings made for her by her mother and says she wears them like an advertisement for Obama.

"I watch CNN and support him," Davis said. "The earrings are just my way of supporting my candidate."

Although the trend of political figures on clothing is experiencing resurgence in popularity, it is not an entirely new concept, especially with black college students.

Just a few years ago, communist revolutionary Che Gueverra was a popular image in apparel, but images of Malcolm X, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., The Black Panther Party and even Angela Davis have not disappeared from popular culture.

"I always wear tees with political emphasis," said Carlos Hemphill, a junior art major from Jackson, Tenn. "I usually buy some at the African Street Festival, but now you can get them everywhere. Obama is worth the extra attention."•

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