VIPs prove fashion is a statement

By Bae Ji-sook

We didn’t need Michelle Obama or Carla Bruni to light up the festive atmosphere. We didn’t miss Cuban-native Narciso Rodriguez or French house Dior’s outfits either.

VIPs and their spouses visiting Korea have definitely sizzled at the G20 Seoul Summit with their own fashionable outfits, representing their national identity but remaining unique to themselves. Their looks definitely narrow the gaps between the VIPs and ordinary citizens, who feel distanced by the complicated summit agendas.

The Korea Times looked into the fashion statements that were made and picked the best dressers.

Ties tell all

In the case of men, it is quite hard to define one’s style since the textures and tailoring of individual outfits seem one and the same in many cases. The neck ties speak loudest most of the time.

At the summit, red was the definite color of choice with most of the VIPs choosing subtle stripes to distinguish themselves.

However, U.S. President Barack Obama chose black and champagne stripes, U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron picked violet and Medvedev wore blue. Several others chose colors based on blues.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Brazilian President-elect Dilma Rousseff seemed to have chosen to not outshine their male peers and chose rather conservative looks.

Of course the summit is not an awards show or a catwalk, but spouses of the VIPs ― only female partners came to Korea ― showed off their culture and fashion sense as much as any supermodel would.

Red was also welcome since the first ladies of Ethiopia and Singapore chose the color. The Korean, Indonesian, Indian and Turkish first ladies chose traditional costumes while some others dressed in the latest trends.

From Balenciaga-inspired full-volume silhouettes to the ever-classic little black dress, the fashion was diverse and dynamic.

Best dressed males

U.S. President Obama has always been praised as a top-dresser alongside his ultra-fashionable wife, Michelle. At the Seoul summit, he wore a well-tailored dark-grey suit with a matching black and champagne tie, to give a twist to the conventional black-and-white formula. It flattered both his skin tone and body shape.

Saud Al-Faisal, foreign affairs minister of Saudi Arabia, clearly stated that the conventionally white clothing of the Middle East Asia’s officials could be diverse and colorful. On his arrival at the summit hall Friday, the minister wrapped himself with a camel coat ― remember, camel is the new black for this winter ― gold embroidery, red and a white hounds-tooth taffeta was worn around his head. The minister proved that you don’t need to wear black to look authoritative.

Best dressed females

Azeb Mesfin, first lady of Ethiopia, drew instant attention from the crowd at the welcome dinner for the VIP spouses on Thursday night in a red coat. The full volume and the neat but architectural line made her look simple, graceful and elegant. The color matched perfectly with her creamy skin and ruby red lips. The black open-toe heels added a trendy touch.

Hayrunnisa Gul also showed that you can look powerful and elegant even when your hair is covered. She was dressed in a dark blue dress draping her from her head to her toes, but the large rhinestone ornament beneath her chest and the big ruffles added femininity and glamour at the same time. Her rings were a bit over the top, but in general, she presented an elegant yet mysterious Turkish image.

Julia Gillard, Prime Minister of Australia, knew exactly what to cover and what to show off. On Thursday night, she was dressed in a white jacket with lace detail on the arm, matched with a long black dress. The lace, which has been a constant favorite among fashion experts for the last couple of years, proved that she is engaged in an aggressive circle, but still keeps her femininity. The one buttoned jacket covered her waist area while the long black skirt accentuated her long and lean silhouette.

G20남녀 VIP들 패션 독특해

G20 정상 회담에 참석한 귀빈들과 부인은 자국을 대표하지만 나름대로의 독특함을 보여주는 패션으로 회의장의 분위기를 달구었다. 그들의 모습은 회의와는 거리가 멀다고 느끼는 일반인들과 정상들과의 거리를 좁혀주기 충분했다.

남성들 경우 양복으로 차이를 구분하기가 힘들기 때문에 넥타이가 큰 역할을 한다. 이번 회담에서 대부분의 정상들이 멘 넥타이는 붉은색에 일부의 줄무늬가 들어간 것이다. 그러나 오바마 대통령의 경우는 검정색과 샴페인 색의 줄무늬가 들어간 넥타이를 선택했고 영국 총리의 경우는 자주색 넥타이를 맸다.

버락 오바마 미 대통령은 패션감각이 높은 그의 부인 미쉘과 더불어 베스트 드레서로 늘 찬사를 받아왔다. 이번 정상 회의에서 오바마는 틀에 박힌 흑백 공식을 깨고 잘 맞춰진 진한 회색 양복에 검정과 샴페인색 줄무늬가 들어간 넥타이를 맸다.

이디오피아의 대통령 부인인 아제브 베스핀은 목요일 정상 배우자를 위한 저녁만찬에서 초대 된 VIP들 사이에 붉은색 옷을 입고 나타나 이목을 집중시켰다. 줄리아 지럴드 호주 총리는 검정색 드레스에 이와 잘 어울리는 팔부분은 레이스 무늬가 들어간 하얀색 자켓을 걸쳤다.