Who Is Styling Kamala Harris?
Everything we know about Leslie Fremar.
Last week, Vogue unveiled its latest cover featuring Vice President Kamala Harris; unlike the much-debated images from 2021, this iteration — with the Democratic presidential nominee clad in her signature pantsuit and high-neck blouse with pearl earrings and a gold flag pin on her lapel — was well received. She looked commanding yet calm, a winning combination in the late stages of the campaign.
I immediately scrolled down to the fine print of the photoshoot specifics. The credits included photographer Annie Leibovitz, makeup artist Marquia James and hair stylist Bre Jaggers. But the name that jumped out to me was that of the stylist and sittings editor: Leslie Fremar.
When the vice president rose to the top of the ticket in July, rumors began swirling about who was helping Harris in the wardrobe department. In the past, many pointed to Karla Welch, a well-known and outspoken stylist with an A-list roster. For this campaign, however, Fremar’s name has been the one floated in the press, particularly in the wake of the Democratic National Convention (Fremar’s Instagram Stories from Chicago seemed to underscore her involvement, too). The Vogue attribution is as close to a confirmation as I imagine we will get that Harris is working with Fremar, a longtime and celebrated — but also low-profile — stylist.
Reps for Fremar have not commented, nor has the campaign. We can all hazard a guess as to why no one wants to talk about it, but here’s mine: The idea of working with a stylist is something that could read as “elite” or “privileged,” which is not how you win over voters in swing states. What’s more, naming someone would put more of a focus on what Harris is wearing, when her uniform of suits would suggest she wants to de-emphasize her fashion.
Which is to say I get it. And also — two things can be true — it does not sit well with me. Having a stylist as a high-profile, frequently photographed public figure is not an indulgence. It is a necessity. There is the very important image-crafting component of it, the expertise of someone trained in the art of choosing clothing that sends the desired message. It’s also a heavy logistical lift. Stylists liaise with brands, requesting modifications to current styles or working with designers to create custom pieces. The looks have to be tailored as well as packed and prepped for eventual wear (a tall order when careening around the country campaigning). Styling is a big job, particularly in a tight presidential race, and the person chosen for it is worth a closer look.
To be sure, we do not know the extent of Fremar’s working relationship with Harris. But the Vogue connection is enough for me to want to know more about Fremar. Below, a look at her fashion background (there’s a Devil Wears Prada connection there), what clients she has worked with in the past (A-listers like Julianne Moore) and what about her might appeal to Harris (like how she said she would choose a tuxedo over a ballgown).
What do you make of Harris’s campaign wardrobe? Click below to share your thoughts in the comments.
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