First Lady Pool Reports of September 6, 2024

FLOTUS pool report / NYC event Fashion For Our Future

FLOTUS spoke Friday morning at 10 a.m. sharp at New York's Bryant Park, for a non-partisan march hosted by Vogue and the Council of Fashion Designers of America, which organizes New York Fashion Week. FLOTUS attended last night's Ralph Lauren show in the Hamptons, with her granddaughter Finnegan. Pool did not travel or arrive with FLOTUS.

Before FLOTUS's appearance, fashion industry members including designers, models and fashion label employees marched from Herald Square holding American flags and Fashion For Our Future signs, in T-shirts with the same slogan written in a black block print. Designers in attendance included Thom Browne, Zac Posen (who designed the Old Navy t-shirts worn by marchers), Michael Kors, Prabal Gurung (who led marchers in a "V-O-T-E" chant on a bullhorn), Tory Burch, and Aurora James. Vogue editor Anna Wintour, who mingled with guests before the speeches, wore espadrilles, a striped skirt, the official march t-shirt, and a Thom Browne-designed red and blue scarf from the Harris-Walz Designers from Democracy collection.

Attendees marched up Broadway and across 40th street, passing through Secret Service security checks in front of the Alice & Olivia store on the south side of Bryant Park. A number of expensive handbags – Celine, Tory Burch, Fendi, to name a few – were searched, with your pooler observing security confiscating a canister of pepper spray, and matches.

The first speaker was Aurora James, the designer for Brother Vellies who has also designed Harris-Walz merch. FLOTUS was introduced by the next speaker, designer Thom Brown, wearing a grey shorts suit, a signature of his label. He introduced her as "a friend of our industry. She is someone who has dedicated her life to serving others, and embodies the perfect blend of style and substance. Her lifelong commitment has been to teach and help others forge their own path." FLOTUS emerged to cheers from the crowd. "We love you!" one woman yelled.

FLOTUS wore the official march t-shirt under a black Zadig & Voltaire blazer that spelled out "Love" on the back in metal studs. She wore skinny black leather pants, and grey sneakers. Pooler could not discern the designer of the shoes from a distance. FLOTUS spoke on a small stage next to the Bryant Park fountain, before a banner that read "Fashion For Our Future" in the same font as the t-shirts, but in red and blue.

FLOTUS (as well as James and Browne) spoke on the importance of voting. "You know, the clothing we wear gives us the power to make a statement without saying a word. But this year, we must wear it, say it, march for it, and do it: Vote," said FLOTUS. She told the story of her first date with POTUS including her opinion of the shoes he wore. "I took one look at his perfect suit and his leather loafers, and I thought, thank God it's only one date," she said.

The crowd grew somber as FLOTUS acknowledged the shooting at Apalachee High School. She called for a ban on assault rifles, which elicited a huge cheer from the audience. FLOTUS also reminded the crowd that their next president would likely choose a Supreme Court justice, which was met with applause. See transcript for full remarks.

FLOTUS then turned to Browne, standing stage left, saying that she was happy to share the stage with a "fellow Pennsylvanian." She praised him for "bringing new life into civil engagement." She praised James's "unstoppable spirit ... You have a way of calling on all of us to secure lasting change." (James leads the 15 Percent Pledge, which calls on retailers to devote shelf space to Black-owned businesses.)

Then FLOTUS turned to Wintour, who was standing offstage to FLOTUS'S right. "No one has shaped this industry more than you have," said FLOTUS, who paused and gestured to her. Wintour smiled, raised her American flag, and blew a small kiss. "But you haven't stopped there. Now you're shaping the world. The president and I value your counsel and your friendship."

FLOTUS concluded with another call to vote. She exited the stage to the tune of MGMT's "Electric Feel," waving, before walking out of view into a white tent, where several designers, including Burch and Posen, followed. Her remarks concluded at 10:07 a.m.