Joe Biden’s presidential campaign is getting a boost from a stylish set of supporters.
On Tuesday, the Biden-Harris camp debuted the Believe in Better collection on JoeBiden.com. The curated assortment of limited edition shirts, hats, tote bags, face coverings, jewelry and other accessories was designed by 19 of the industry’s leading designers.
Vera Wang, Jason Wu, Tory Burch, Jonathan Cohen, Gabriela Hearst, Thom Browne, Joseph Altuzarra, Carly Cushnie, Kathryn and Lizzie Fortunato, Victor Glemaud, Thakoon Panichgul, Monique Péan, Joe Perez, Prabal Gurung, Brett Heyman of Edie Parker, Aurora James and Proenza Schouler’s Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough showed their support for the Democratic ticket with their designs, which will benefit the Biden Victory Fund.
Ranging from $35 for a Monique Péan face mask embroidered with the word “Unity” to $60 for a Vera Wang “Vote Joe” hoodie, many of the items eschew the campaign’s now-familiar patriotic logo in favor of unique slogans, motifs, graphics and colors.
“We are thrilled to announce this collection of affordable merchandise designed by a diverse group of talented American fashion designers and made in America,” Rufus Gifford, Joe Biden’s deputy campaign manager, said in a statement. “We are in a battle to restore the soul of our nation, and we’re seeing Americans across the country come together in a variety of ways to support Joe Biden and Kamala Harris because they are the leaders we need to heal and unite the country.”
Gifford went on to thank the participating designers for “volunteering their time and talents to help win this election,” along with “the hardworking people who brought these designs to life.”
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This isn’t the first public demonstration of political activism by the industry’s designers amid 2020’s turbulent cultural climate. This spring, Aurora James, creative director of New York-based Brother Vellies footwear, launched a viral movement dubbed the #15percentpledge. In an Instagram post, she implored companies with massive networks and influence like Target, Walmart, Saks Fifth Avenue, Net-a-Porter and more to reserve more shelf space for items created by Black artisans.
“I am asking you to commit to buying 15 percent of your products from Black-owned businesses,” she wrote on May 29, explaining that black patrons “represent 15 percent of the population and we need to represent 15 percent of your shelf space.” The movement garnered its own Instagram account, @15percentpledge, and companies like Rent the Runway, WeWoreWhat, Sephora, Violet Grey and Vogue have signed onto the effort.
For the Believe in Better collection, James designed a pullover sweatshirt featuring the slogan, “We Make the Difference: Black Women for Biden/Harris 2020.”
Last week, women’s wear designer Tory Burch announced on Instagram that her eponymous label would be offering a paid day off to employees who volunteer at the polls on Nov. 3. The New York-based brand will close all of its U.S. stores, offices and distribution centers at 3 p.m. local time on Election Day in order to give employees ample time to cast their ballots.
Burch’s Believe in Better design is a unisex crewneck cotton T-shirt featuring an image of a blue bandana emblazoned with the word, “Vote.”
On Tuesday, Nordstrom announced that it would make Nov. 3 a holiday for all of its U.S. employees as a means of encouraging them to get out and vote. The Seattle company has launched an effort called Make Your Voice Heard, which aims to educate its workforce and its consumers about engaging in the political process by participating in the 2020 census and voting in the upcoming election.
In partnership with non-profits When We All Vote and the National Urban League, the program will provide a virtual learning series, digital volunteer opportunities, curbside voter registration and a number of online resources for prospective voters. A portion of the proceeds from a new line of “VOTE” apparel for men, women and kids, priced from $19 to $60, will benefit the organizations.
The company has also teamed up with Civic Alliance, which connects employees to volunteer opportunities surrounding the election. Nordstrom will provide discounted rides through Lyft for any store, fulfillment center or distribution center staff who wish to participate in these efforts.
“We believe every voice matters and our country is stronger when we all participate in the democratic process,” Pete Nordstrom, Nordstrom’s president and chief brand officer said in a statement, adding that the company’s efforts were inspired by feedback from 50,000 employees across the country.
“They told us they want to be actively engaged in their communities and help find solutions to the challenges we’re facing,” he added. “Enabling them to make their voices heard by voting is a meaningful and productive way we can support our people and our communities.”