It’s amazing how much CNN I watch now. I can’t tell you how many nights I fall asleep listening to Don Lemon and Chris Cuomo, it’s too much. In all seriousness, living and growing up in and around our Nation’s Capital has allowed me to become more interested and invested in the political process and how we as a nation and a society, order our lives for human flourishing. At times, it can be overwhelming living in the shadow of the empire However, studying Art History in D.C. during college always gave me a curiosity and love for politics, history, and the arts. So, you can imagine my excitement when I found out about CNN’s new four-part CNN Original Series, called American Style.
Fashion and Politics … yes, please.
(Left) First Lady Jackie Kennedy the epitome of 60’s elegance that’s stately with ladylike propriety (Right) Jackie Onassis wears her signature look “Jackie O” sunglasses styled with a 70’s chic trench coat.
I think we often underestimate the impact of fashion on history and culture. Clothing has the unique ability to tell a story about how people in any given society relate to each other, exchange information, and relay values or truth. Knowing this, wouldn’t it be amazing to get a front-row seat to the runway of American history? That’s exactly what you’ll get watching American Style.
(Left) Beyonce performing her song Formation at 2016 Super Bowl Half Time Show wearing controversial Black Panther Civil Rights Movement dance costume (Middle) Young Black Girl protestor at the 2017 Women’s March wears protestors uniform the “pink pussy hat” (Left) First Lady Melania Trump’s controversial “I Really Don’t Care Do You? jacket during U.S. Immigration crisis.
If you haven’t heard about American Style you should get familiar. This documentary-style special will use archival footage and interviews with fashion experts and cultural figures, to highlight the most iconic moments in fashion, history, and pop culture. Allowing audiences to examine how America’s changing style through the decades mirrored the political, social, and economic climate of the time, shaping our unique American identity (CNN).
Watching and exploring the story behind American history and its fashion choices will be an interesting journey, one that is very on-brand for us here at The Storied Life. I welcome your comments and dialogue on this very special series. What do you guys think? Do fashion and history intersect? Will you be watching? Comment below and let me know!
The series premieres on January 13th and 20th at 9 p.m. EST, check your local listings for channel showtimes. Watch this video for a sneak peek!
Interested in exploring more about the stories behind the history of fashion? Find out which fashion exhibits on the east coast you should visit next!
Featured Image: Jackie Kennedy Onassis by Ron Galella
Great pictures! So inspiring:)
irinathayer.com