It was Miuccia Prada who said fashion is an instant language. While some may beg to differ, I personally believe politicians and women married to politicians must learn to master the art of “talking 
through their clothes” and using it as a channel to communicate their values and beliefs.
I do think it’s a tad bit unfair that so much spotlight is placed on female political style as opposed to male political style, but like Alexander Fury, Fashion Editor of The Independent said, industry stakeholders like stylists, designers and CEOs, do find menswear a bit dull and it is for the most part actually boring. A pair of pants can only be passed through fashion manipulation so many times.
From the designers these women choose to support, to their choice in cuts, to the stereotypes they choose to challenge, these all play an important part in their unspoken public persona. Today let’s take a look at the style diaries of two well-known politicians in the Caribbean and while we’re at it, a style analysis of First Lady Sandra Granger.
Lisa Hanna, Minister of Youth
and Culture – Jamaica
Lisa Hanna, a former Miss World, is one of the most popular women politicians in the Caribbean. International acclaim aside, and the Instagram eye-balling over her expensive Jimmy Choos, why do we still love and follow the lovely Lisa Hanna? I mean her style isn’t radical or at least not radical enough for me. Lisa, a very simple cut fashionista, defies the stuck-up identity challenge women in power face. This is why we love her. It is not often that you will see a politician throwing up a carnival costume picture or a saucy bikini picture. My personal issue with politicians and the way they manage identity, is their blatant dismissal of normal human code of conduct. Lisa is often seen on her Instagram in gym clothes, swimsuits and even gallivanting bare foot through bushy-like settings in office appropriate clothes. Her style may not be Susie Bubble-like, but she is definitely a refreshing and open politician. She also understands the importance of addressing the people and supporting local artisans and entrepreneurs.
Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Prime
Minister – Trinidad and Tobago
Kamla is my favourite dresser. I think she has incredible style and is always so well put together. However, even though I am a big Kamla fan, I am disappointed in her as a leader. You would think that as the leader for the country with the only fashion school in the entire Caribbean and being so stylish, she would at least ensure the school gets the necessary funding and isn’t a sinking ship. For those of you who are unaware, Trinidad is home to the Caribbean Academy of Fashion and Design, the only real fashion school in the entire Caribbean. The government invested in the school as it wanted to develop fashion as an industry, but then came budget cuts on crucial areas like lecturing costs and so forth. Kamla, to me, would seem more real if her government pursued long-term strategic investment in talent. While Kamla sets quite a fashionable benchmark personally, the downside is that she still doesn’t truly support the local industry wholeheartedly. In comparison to Lisa Hanna who is known for supporting local entrepreneurs: raw material stores and seamstresses, Kamla loses points on authenticity, though her style is quite appealing.
Sandra Granger, First Lady – Guyana
By now I thought we would have been able to walk into the Guyana Revenue Authority with our sleeveless dresses, with Sandra Granger as First Lady. Sandra hasn’t openly discussed which
designers she uses, but like Lisa Hanna she seems to be challenging something; the archaic dress code rules apparently. Finally! You go Sandra! She is off to a good start but I do think she needs to press a tad bit harder. I like that fact she is realistic and practical but I do think she needs to have a more open personality within the digital space. There has been a lot of talk about the ‘economic slowdown’ so it wouldn’t hurt to see our First Lady in active support of local retailers, seamstresses and such. Perhaps she has been, but more active engagement would help. Her social media interaction is bland. It wouldn’t hurt to know more about our First Lady, more of where her interests lie. While many may mark this down as unimportant, let’s not forget the reality that careers and marketing are built off this. Take for example Michelle Obama’s choice in supporting Jason Wu, a Taiwanese-born designer. What filtered down was the embracing of multiculturalism and diversity and her support for inclusiveness and for young entrepreneurs. It is in my opinion that there needs to be a constant reminder of the youth driven political change we experienced recently and the necessity of remaining connected with all of the people, equally.
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