In the race to become or remain Britain’s Prime Minister, style, as is immemorial, seemed to speak volumes about the two main candidates’ PR strategies. There was Rishi Sunak’s man-of-the-people shoe choice of Sambas (which actually just decreed their death as London’s favourite shoe), dodgy hoodies from Keir Starmer — also aimed at creating a salt of the earth aesthetic — and hairstyles that looked to be keeping Brylcream in business. Strong and stable etc. But let’s spare a moment for the First Ladies who’ve been by their sides, and proven they’re considerably better versed in using clothes to talk.
Their election looks were no exception. After a landslide victory for Labour in yesterday’s vote, Sunak stood outside of Number 10 to make his exit speech, and appearing stoically against the railings behind him was wife Akshata Murty. While clutching a navy umbrella in case pathetic fallacy triggered another downpour, she wore a modestly priced (£250), and cut, dress with a high neck and full length sleeves. It was by Indian label Ka-Sha, and nodded to her current country of residence in graphic red, white and blue stripes. Simple white heeled pumps punctuated the outfit.
Some commenters on Twitter joked that rather than the colours of a British flag, the downward pointing stripes on Murty’s dress represented the falling votes for the Conservative party. Though the Indian-born billionaire heiress has shown confidence at diplomatic dressing throughout the campaign trail and as a First Lady. Choosing a mix of high street pieces and Indian labels, as well as emerging London based designers such as Claire Mischevani, she has honoured her heritage while showing support for the British fashion industry.
It’s led Tatler to ask if she was the ‘best dressed First Lady ever?’ While Diet Prada captioned a picture of her exit dress on Instagram: “But wait before they go... can we get a dress ID rq? ‘Cos she kinda ate with this look.” They may have then implored her in comments to “sashay away,” though her style credentials clearly made an impact during her husband’s less-than-two-year tenure.
As for the country’s new First Lady, Victoria Starmer, she kept a low-profile during the campaign trail and has been said to be taking on the role ‘reluctantly’, but for the monumental event of her husband’s first speech as PM she followed the fashion brief closely. She opted for a £275 crepe midi dress in you guessed it: red, with a drop waist and cut out details on the sleeves and chest. It’s by ME + EM, the moderately priced British label worn by The Princess of Wales and Nicole Kidman. Starmer chose a pair of silver kitten heel slingbacks to complete her look.
A strong start for Starmer and a true to form exit from Murty. Time will tell if Starmer chooses to make more public appearances now her husband is PM, and whether she’ll choose to spotlight more British designers while she’s at it.
