First lady Jill Biden gave a surprise keynote speech Friday morning at the “Fashion for Our Future” march, which encourages voter registration during this year’s election.
Organizers estimated that more than 1,000 industry professionals took part in the 9 a.m. march, including Prabal Gurung, Michael Kors, Cynthia Rowley, Rebecca Moses, Thom Browne, Zac Posen, Tory Burch, Wes Gordon, Stan Herman, Jack McCollough, Lazaro Hernandez and Karlie Kloss, who walked from Herald Square to Bryant Park.
Organized by the CFDA and Vogue, the march was an opportunity for the industry to champion democracy: Participants, wearing white T-shirts created by Old Navy that read “Fashion for Our Future” on the front and “Vote” on the back, including children in strollers, held banners and foghorns and urged people to get out and vote.
After the crowd was individually checked by security as they entered Bryant Park, Biden spoke alongside CFDA chairman Thom Browne and fashion designer and activist Aurora James.
Biden said that when she was younger, she almost voted for her future husband, Joe Biden, when he first ran for Senate. “I was a student at the University of Delaware in the 1970s, and there was this real enthusiasm on campus for this young candidate. His name was Joe Biden. Everybody was voting for him,” she said.
“But I wasn’t so sure. My parents were Republicans and politics weren’t a part of my life. But I was taught that every vote counted. We believed in making a difference. And that’s why Joe won that election by just 3,000 votes. It easily could have been the other way around,” said Biden, who wore an official march T-shirt under a black Zadig & Voltaire blazer with “Love” spelled out in metal studs on the back, along with skinny leather pants and gray sneakers.
A few years later, out of the blue, she was asked out on a date one Saturday afternoon. “They were quite young, and I remember that I had grown my hair down to the middle of my waist, like most of the men I dated. But that night, a handsome senator came to my house. I took one look at his impeccable suit and leather loafers and thought, ‘Thank goodness, it’s just one date.’ But then we went to dinner, and I said to myself, ‘Thank goodness, I voted for him.'”
She told the crowd: “Your day may not begin or end with politics, but the election is about so much more. It’s about the freedom for children to learn without fear, hatred and gun violence.”
Biden pointed to the tragic school shootings that took place this week and said, “We all stand with the state of Georgia in our grief and our prayers, but we also need action. We cannot accept these school shootings as a fact of life.” [a reference to a comment made by Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance]”We must ban assault rifles. I know you value the freedom to make your own choices — to be who you are, to love who you love, freedom, freedom of creative expression. These freedoms are at risk by court decisions, by book bans, by an attitude of indifference when people forget the power of their vote,” Biden said.
She added, “Let’s remember that the next president, your next president, will likely appoint a new Supreme Court justice, the next senators will confirm him, and our children and grandchildren will have to live with the results. But it’s up to you to decide. Elections matter.”
“Vote. Vote early. And help others do the same,” she urged the audience.
Brown noted that this year marks the fourth anniversary of the CFDA’s collaboration with “I am a voter,” and said the first lady recognized the importance of having everyone involved in the entire process.
James said she came to the country nearly 20 years ago because “I was chasing a dream, too. Each and every one of us here today represents the fabric that makes this country special, that makes this country beautiful, strange, fascinating and fruitful.” She said everyone, from garment workers to bus drivers, lawyers and shoe designers, contributes to “our collective success.”
“But this fall, that success depends on voting. We’ve seen that success threatened before, but there’s no turning back. For all of us to thrive, we must act on our passion and love for this country. We must go to the polls and vote, because there’s one thing I know: an election is not just a march. It’s an opportunity to exercise our democracy and actually shape ideas and policies that will empower people and not just some, but all people,” James said.
She urged people to pick five people from their cell phone contacts and text them asking them how they planned to vote, then to text another five friends.
On the first day of New York Fashion Week, industry executives chatted and caught up on one another mid-way through the processions.
“I’m so proud to be here and I’m urging everyone to go out and vote, especially on reproductive rights. [on the ballot] “In my home state of Missouri, we have to do what we can. This is the least we can do,” Cross said.
“I think that’s a really important message to get across,” said Halston’s creative director, Ken Downing, who said he’s voted since the first time he had the chance, and that he voted in the Ronald Reagan versus Jimmy Carter election. “Not necessarily. I voted the right way,” he said. “I’ve voted in every state I’ve ever lived in.”
“I’m rooting for the future of fashion, and I think everything is at stake right now,” said Fern Mallis. She said she’s glad the industry is united on the issue. “Maybe this is something we can all agree on: go vote and have a woman president,” she said.
“This is a very important moment and we’re pleased that this is part of the conversation. Fashion is a very important industry to our country and we need to speak out,” said Buxton Midyett, Supima’s vice president of marketing and promotions.
Julie Gilhart said she plans to call young people and encourage them to vote.
“I’ve never seen so many fashion people in front of Macy’s at 8:15,” said Ulrich Grimm, former executive vice president of global design, shoes, bags, accessories and home at Calvin Klein Inc. and now a consultant and lecturer at Parsons School of Design. “It’s so amazing to see the community come together. It’s so strong.”
Tracy Reese flew in from Detroit for the event. When asked what inspired her, she replied, “Hope, urgency, advocacy, community and the future. It’s all about policy and community.” She said the CFDA used to do a lot of community events for other causes, such as breast cancer and AIDS. “We miss those moments, and this is one of those moments,” Reese said. She said they’re helping people in Detroit register and get to the polls. “Michigan is a pivotal state and we want to make sure people have a voice,” she said.
Deirdre Quinn, CEO of Lafayette 148, brought along 14 employees from her company, in addition to Sophie Elgort and Camila Perez. “I’m really excited. I think there are a lot of really important issues. This is definitely the most important election of our time,” she said.
Gary Wasner said he was there “to support the vote.”
“You can’t be political. [at this event]”But we need to get out and vote. We need to speak up. We’re a huge industry with very little common voice,” Wassner said.
Rebecca Moses says she’s obsessed with voting. After the Democratic National Convention, she started a campaign on Instagram called “Go Go Vote Girls,” asking women to write a short letter every day about why they’re voting for Kamala Harris. “We’re taking portraits of these girls to document this monumental election,” she says. “We’re encouraging people to register to vote and to understand the difference between lies and truth. There’s a lot at stake in this election.”
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