With Wednesday inauguration just days away, some are wondering if Kamala Harris might wear a sari on inauguration day.
The American Bazaar reports the question first came up during her presidential run in 2019.
“Let’s win first,” Harris responded to a question from the audience.
“My mother raised us with a very strong appreciation for our cultural background and pride. Celebrations that we all participate in regardless of how our last name is spelled. It’s the beauty of who we are as a nation,” she said.
Fashion designer Bibhu Mohapatra calls it “more crucial now more than ever” that she use her heritage to bring people together.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we see her show up to the inauguration ball in a beautifully woven Banarsi sari,” she said. “I think she understands the power of that image.”
The sari is a traditional garment worn by Indian and Hindu women with one end wrapped around the waist and the other end over the shoulder or head.
Designer Naeem Khan dressed Michelle Obama 28 times during her years as First Lady. He thinks Harris can use her heritage as a form of diplomacy.
“She’s half South Asian. I feel that opens up things globally, because Pakistan, India, Bangladesh….those countries are going to look at America in a whole different way.”
The first woman, Black and Asian American to be sworn in as Vice President will take the oath of office from the first Latina to serve on the Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor, ABC News reported. Two bibles with personal significance to Harris will be used as part of the ceremony.
The first bible belonged to Regina Shelton, who the future Vice President considered a second mother. Harris used the same bible for her swearing in as California Attorney General and to the US Senate.
The second bible belonged to Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, the first African American justice.
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