Fashion & Politics

Frankie Welch gained renown through her political fashion designs for the 1968 election season. Though she worked with clients in many other fields, campaign scarves and scarves with political connections remained an important part of her output, even earning her the label “political fashion specialist.” She also created numerous designs for presidential inaugurations. Welch repeatedly declined to announce her political affiliations, and took pride in being able to state, “The Democrats and Republicans shop side by side in my shop.” Politicians and their spouses often used her scarves and totes as gifts for campaign donors or official visitors.

Numerous reporters remarked on the ease with which Welch moved between customers of opposing political parties, with the New York Times describing her as “the nonpartisan fashion spokesman for both Republicans and Democrats.”