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Why founders of 'What Kamala Wore' are turning their attention to the vice-president elect

The vice president-elect “does not want to be known for her wardrobe or who she’s wearing,” What Kamala Wore founder Susan Kelley tells Yahoo Life. Two fashion bloggers who tracked Kate Middleton’s and Meghan Markle’s every look are turning their attention stateside to focus on a new subject: Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.

Video transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING]

SUSAN KELLEY: It became fascinating to me to look at the intersection of politics and style. Any good politician knows that what they wear sends a message. When Kate and William got engaged, I wondered, would people be interested in a website that covers what Kate Middleton wears? Over the last 10 years of doing What Kate Wore, the thing really took off. I've had friends who've come to the site for the first time and they say it's like going down a rabbit hole.

And What Meghan Wore was the idea of a friend of mine, Susan Courter. We joined forces on that. And I was with What Meghan Wore for a little bit more than two years.

One of the fun parts about doing What Kamala Wore is I joined forces with Susan Courter again. What Kamala Wore grew out of my fascination with Kamala Harris when she was Senator Kamala Harris.

KAMALA HARRIS: We did it. We did it, Joe.

SUSAN KELLEY: Documenting what Kamala wears serves a purpose in an extraordinary time in this country and in our history. This is not a woman who is interested in dedicating a lot of time and energy to what she's going to wear. She is about the work and the mission and accomplishing things.

The first part of any blog post is dedicated to the event that she is at. We do get into what she wore, everything from the dress or the suit to the shoes, the jewelry, the hair. If the items are still in production and still available we'll link to them so people can go look at them or shop them if they're so inclined.

If trying to describe her style in just a few words, it's really authenticity, accessible, and consistent. She will throw on a pair of jeans and a pair of sneakers, her Chuck Taylors. And that's very relatable. Who doesn't own a pair of jeans and sneakers?

Vice President-elect Harris, she knows that apparel, accessories can be used to maximize a message. If you look at the white Carolina Herrera suit the night of her acceptance speech, that sent a powerful message about where we have been, where we are, and where we need to go.

KAMALA HARRIS: All the women in our country who cast their ballots and continued the fight for their fundamental right to vote and be heard.

SUSAN KELLEY: I think the dialogue has been so negative and vitriolic in this country over politics, that for me, What Kamala Wore is a teeny bit of escape. When we are profitable, 10% of the profits will go to the HBCU Foundation, which funds historically Black colleges and universities. Ms. Harris speaks very glowingly and at length about what she learned and how she grew as a human and the importance of being able to go to an HBCU and how we need more of that in the country now. And we've made a small donation now. But really, the goal is when the site is fully profitable to be able to donate a lot more.