On September 19, models, celebrities and public figures joined in Ronkonkoma, New York to participate in a politically Republican fashion show. These individuals have expressed their support for former President Donald Trump, and they stated that their presence was “snubbed” at other fashion shows around New York. 

At the event, individuals including boxer Cara Castronuova and artist Lena Ruseva dressed in conservative outfits to further imply their support for Donald Trump. Ruseva designed a dress with a hand-painted portrait of Trump, and Castronuova wore an outfit displaying the words “Fight, Fight, Fight” by designers Kell Capotosto and Deborah Yanna. 

The event, which has now been discussed throughout many different news organizations, has shown a population of people who believe that their chosen candidate deserves to be supported not only through verbal or written explanation, but also clothing. 

Some of the outfits that were highlighted at the event were shown by The Washington Post reporter and photographer Jiselle Lee. The Daily Beast also captured dresses that were covered in American flags and Donald Trump’s face, ballroom dresses that said “2024 America’s Comeback” and “vote,” and rhinestone bomber jackets with “New York MAGA,” “We the People” and “Trump 47 Vance” on them. 

The event happened just a week after the well-known New York Fashion Week (NYFW), which was accompanied by large designer brands and fashion designers. Public figures such as Jennifer Lopez, Mary J. Blige, Olympic gold-medalists Sunisa Lee and Aly Raisman, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, Paris Hilton and Brandon Flynn dressed for NYFW. 

The public figures and designers for NYFW and the MAGA fashion show were entirely different, and they had nothing to do with each other’s events. 

MAGA outfits and the event have sparked controversy, as many do not understand the need for a politics-based fashion show. The idea was formed after several individuals voting for Donald Trump felt that their enjoyment for fashion could not be taken seriously alongside their beliefs for the upcoming election in November. 

Designers who participated in the creation of these clothes wanted their work to be seen by others because it was an expression for those belief systems. However, others believe that an event surrounded by former President Trump and vice presidential nominee JD Vance is baffling. 

The event, from a legitimate fashion point-of-view, was more funny than anything, and there is something to be said about the peculiarity behind the participation. However, in America, each person has the ability to portray their beliefs in a public setting because of their First Amendment rights — within reason. 

I, personally, would never participate in a MAGA fashion show, but I can appreciate the designers’ ideas in terms of their First Amendment and creative rights. I’m deciding to put politics and public figures out of my mind, and I will judge solely based on the uniqueness of such an event. 

Fashion has largely been considered in the recent 2024 election. For example, Vice President and presidential nominee Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. and vice presidential nominee Tim Walz created a hat that was covered in camouflage and orange lettering, which was a symbol of “practical and durable workwear for blue-collar Americans.” 

T-shirts have also been widely important for the face of the election because of the drastic differences between both political ideologies. For example, at the VP Kamala Harris rally in Wilkes-Barre, lots of T-shirts were worn in support of Harris and Walz. The fashion behind the election is a unique factor in the voting opportunities for Americans across the country. 

The important thing to remember in terms of a political election is the idea that there are people who make decisions, support a candidate and show their support in ways that have either never been seen before or are seen all of the time. 

If the worst thing that can happen from this event is entertainment, the fashion industry has done its job. They’ve continued to shock viewers for decades, and this was one of the most shocking events I’ve seen in regard to a political endorsement. 

Share