Floral embroidery on First Lady Jill Biden’s inauguration concert outfit subtly pays tribute to every U.S. state and territory – while her coat features hidden quote from Benjamin Franklin
- Dr. Biden, 69, wore a custom outfit by Uruguayan-American designer Gabriela Hearst to attend Wednesday night’s virtual inauguration concert
- The floral embroidery on the ivory coat and matching dress represented ‘the federal flowers from every state and territory of the United States of America’
- The designer also paid homage to Dr. Biden’s home state by placing the Delaware flower on her dress at her heart level
- The lining of the coat features an embroidered quote from Benjamin Franklin
- Unity was the main inspiration behind the outfit, which was made in New York City with ‘existing available fabrics to minimize the impact on the environment’
Jill Biden subtly paid tribute to every U.S. state and territory during Wednesday night’s virtual inaugural concert with her custom outfit by Uruguayan-American designer Gabriela Hearst.
The First Lady, 69, attended her husband’s inauguration in an ocean blue tweed coat and dress by New York-based designer Alexandra O’Neill, the founder and creative director of Markarian, but she later changed into Hearst’s designs for the evening’s festivities.
In a press release, the label revealed that the floral embroidery on Dr. Biden’s ivory coat and matching dress represented ‘the federal flowers from every state and territory of the United States of America.’
Stunning: Jill Biden, pictured with President Joe Biden, wore a custom outfit by Uruguayan-American designer Gabriela Hearst to attend Wednesday night’s virtual inauguration concert
Detailed design: The elegant double-breasted cashmere coat features an A-line silhouette with embroidered flowers at the hem that rise up on the side’s seams
Added touches: Dr. Biden, 69, topped off the one-of-a-kind look with a matching face mask with similar embroidery and ivory leather gloves
The elegant double-breasted cashmere coat features an A-line silhouette with embroidered flowers at the hem that rise up on the side’s seams. The same embroidery decorates the silk organza neckline and arms of the matching dress.
Dr. Biden topped off the one-of-a-kind look with a matching face mask with similar embroidery and ivory leather gloves.
Gabriela Hearst shared more details about the design in an Instagram post on Thursday, the day after the inauguration, including close-up photos and videos of the standout pieces.
‘The message of Unity is the main inspiration for the creation of the Ensemble,’ the brand wrote. ‘Unity makes strength and it is needed for the road ahead.
‘The blooming symbol to represent this message are the federal flowers from every state and territory of the United States of America.’
The designer also paid homage to Dr. Biden’s home state, explaining: ‘The Delaware flower is positioned at the heart level of The First Lady, from there, all the other flowers branch out.’
According to the post, the pieces were made entirely in New York City. The coat and embroidery were crafted in the garment district, while the dress was assembled in the brand’s in-house studio.
The placement and color selections were studied for weeks, and each flower took approximately two to four hours to embroider. And the flowers weren’t the outfit’s only secret message.
Thoughtful: Unity was the main inspiration behind the outfit, which was made in New York City with ‘existing available fabrics to minimize the impact on the environment’
Wow: The placement and color selections were studied for weeks, and each flower took approximately two to four hours to embroider
Perfect planning: The designer paid homage to Dr. Biden’s home state by placing the Delaware flower on her dress at her heart level
The label explained: ‘Inside of the coat, representing the lifelong calling and service of Dr. Biden as an educator is a hand embroidery on the lining with a quote from Founding Father Benjamin Franklin. “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”‘
Gabriela Hearst is known for its emphasis on sustainability, and Dr. Biden’s outfit was made with ‘existing available fabrics to minimize the impact on the environment.’
Hearst, who recently became a U.S. citizen, shared photos of Dr. Biden wearing her designs on Wednesday evening, writing: ‘Grateful for the honor to serve our friend, America’s friend and First Lady.’
Dr. Biden has worn Hearst’s clothing on numerous occasions, including the green silk, fringe-trimmed dress she donned to the 2020 presidential debate in Cleveland, Ohio, in September.
Keepsake: Gabriela Hearst shared a photo of the designer’s original sketch of the coat
Old friends: Dr. Biden has worn Hearst’s clothing on numerous occasions, and appeared in a virtual event with the designer late last year
Looking back: Dr. Biden donned a green silk, fringe-trimmed dress by Gabriela Hearst to the 2020 presidential debate in Cleveland, Ohio, in September
Hearst lent her support to the Biden-Harris ticket during the presidential election by designing a T-shirt for the campaign and appearing in virtual events with Dr. Biden.
‘I wouldn’t have been able to start two businesses myself in America under the current administration,’ the Uruguayan immigrant told WWD of former President Donald Trump’s anti-immigration policies in October.
Hearst’s designs have been worn by the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Megan Markle, Kate Middleton, and former First Lady Melania Trump. In September, she won the CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year Award.
Last month, it was announced that she is the new artistic director of the French Fashion House Chloe, following in the footsteps of Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Phoebe Philo, and Clare Waight Keller, who previously held the position.
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