The season of political conventions ended Thursday in St. Paul, Minn., just as the spring 2009 fashion season was getting underway in New York. The convergence of politics and fashion brings together the substantive and the superficial, with neither industry having a monopoly on frivolousness and both relying on the power of appearances. For fashion designers, the clothing styles of the two potential first ladies are of particular interest because they carry with them the possibility of launching trends or transforming once unknown brands into household names. Indeed, ... (more)