There’s a Powerful Meaning to History-Making Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman’s Inauguration Outfit

From Cosmopolitan

At just 22, Amanda Gorman has now made history as the youngest poet to write and recite a poem at the presidential inauguration. She joins the ranks of legendary figures Maya Angelou and Robert Frost, who have also stepped up to the podium in ceremonies past. And while we were of course captivated by the powerful delivery of her poem “The Hill We Climb” with millions of viewers (especially one that was done at such an unprecedented time in history), we also noticed that her outfit was absolute fire.

Gorman’s presidential inauguration look was visually stunning (the canary yellow! the pop of red! the glowing highlighter!), but it’s the symbolic meaning behind the outfit that is truly noteworthy.

Gorman wore a pair of Nikos Koulis gold hoop earrings with a hanging diamond and a birdcage ring by Of Rare Origin—both gifts from the one and only Oprah Winfrey. The ring, in particular, is a symbolic nod to Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. This gesture continues Oprah’s tradition to support poet laureates ahead of their meaningful addresses (for Bill Clinton’s 1993 inauguration, Oprah sent Angelou a blue Chanel coat and gloves).

As for the rest of her look, Gorman wore Prada. A gorgeous yellow coat and bright-red headband (which you can and absolutely should buy right now) from the designer label were the perfect accessories to her truly powerful address. She was also photographed wearing a matching bedazzled face mask—and there’s no choice but to stan a woman who knows the importance of chic personal protective equipment.

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