Prime Vogue Designers Open Their Pocketbooks for Kamala Harris

Vogue has traditionally been break up politically. 

Designers tended to lean liberal and help Democratic social causes, whereas executives have usually favored Republicans and the promise of decrease taxes and a neater regulatory hand. 

However a WWD spot examine of political donations discovered that, whereas designers are nonetheless backing Democrats and Kamala Harris for president this election cycle, Republicans and Donald Trump will not be feeling the love as a lot. 

Vera Wang, Michael Kors and Tory Burch ranked as the most important particular person political donors in trend for the 2023-24 interval and all gave closely to Democrats, based on knowledge from the Federal Election Fee. Spokespeople for Wang and Kors declined to remark, whereas a consultant for Burch didn’t reply to WWD queries.

Wang has additionally supported Harris with merchandise, creating appears to be like for the marketing campaign’s “Designer for Democracy” initiative, which additionally consists of types from Ulla Johnson, Willy Chavarria, Prabal Gurung, Gabriela Hearst, Sergio Hudson and others.

Tim Boyle, chairman, president and chief govt officer of Columbia Sportswear Co., who criticized Trump whereas in workplace, gave to the Republican nominee’s main rival Nikki Haley in addition to Earl Blumenauer, a Democratic congressman from Oregon and others.

Beneath the floor — together with giving from people, contributions from political motion committees and tender cash — the business is spreading round its cash extra evenly, however nonetheless leaning left. 

Open Secrets and techniques, a nonprofit group monitoring political donations, mentioned retailers have donated $41.3 million this election cycle — a 47 p.c lower from $78.1 million spent throughout the hotly contested 2020 cycle and barely under the $44.3 spent in 2016.

Retailer donations, which included giving from people, contributions from political motion committees and tender cash, favored Democrats, who acquired 58.5 p.c of the business’s total donations in 2023 and 2024, based on Open Secrets and techniques.

Harris was the most important single recipient, receiving retailer donations of $2.7 million, whereas Trump took in $1.1 million from the business. 

Open Secrets and techniques’ tally of spending from attire firms confirmed comparable traits, though the general donations had been smaller. The sector has given a complete of $5.9 million this cycle, with 65 p.c of that going to Democrats. 

Right here, a take a look at the political donations from outstanding trend gamers.