Presidential Campaign in Paris shows

The 2008 presidential elections was one of the most exciting elections the United States has ever experienced. The advertising for both candidates were extensive, but it was Barack Obama who really took the spotlight. The country was in awe with this young, charismatic, black politician who was creating such a buzz among his followers and haters. Even the fashion world took a remarkable stance. In the picture above we see images from two Parisian Spring/ Summer 2009 Fashion Week runway shows in which designers Jean Charles de Caselbajac and Sonia Rykiel, not only supported the presidential candidate and made a dress with his picture and a sweater with his name, but they sent it down the runway a month before before the elections took place. Never before have we seen a political propaganda in a fashion show, especially overseas when both designers are French.

This a great example of fashion using its voice to support a social cause and in this case a political candidate. The 2008 elections was an election the entire world closely followed and it is interesting to see designers who typically are only concerned with displaying their best pieces on the runway, advertise a candidate so strongly. While fashion and current events have always gone hand in hand, in this case we see a mixture of political advertising, the desire to influence a country's political path while still displaying the originality and uniqueness of the clothing's design.