Fashion Designers Hope to Stitch Up an Obama Win

The campaign approved Reese's backup option of an applique T-shirt, which she estimated would be priced at about $80.

This represents the first time Reese has had such an active role in a presidential campaign.

"The opportunity just popped up out of the blue," Reese says. "I'm passionate about this candidate. And I knew I needed to be participating and not just watching and hoping for the best."

Von Furstenberg was an adamant Hillary Rodham Clinton supporter during the primary. But she shifted her allegiance after the senator from New York lost and after she read Obama's autobiography, "Dreams From My Father." Von Furstenberg, who established her brand in 1972 on the popularity of the wrap dress among workingwomen, created a tote bag adorned with Obama's words. Mizrahi, who has designed for both Bergdorf Goodman and Target and now is the creative director of Liz Claiborne, went with a tote bag, too.

And Lam created a cotton muslin bag silk-screened with a carnation print from his first successful collection, spring 2004, which he reworked in red, white and blue. It's inscribed "A fresh start: Obama '09," and he asked that it be stitched from organic cotton. Lam launched his brand in 2003 and in 2005 created the inaugural ensemble for First Twin Barbara Bush. Typically, his dresses sell for upward of $1,000.

"I knew immediately what I wanted to do. That print had such meaning for me. It brought me luck," Lam says. "It's definitely not a Hamptons tote. It's something you could walk through a green market carrying. Anyone can carry it."

Nolan remained uncommitted throughout the primary season because his partner, Andrew Tobias, is treasurer for the Democratic National Committee. "We had to stay neutral. People were so passionate," Nolan says. "But I'm a huge fan of his. His background is just what we need." Nolan contributed a wrap T-shirt.

His Chelsea studio will be the setting for "Runway to Change," a cocktail schmooze-fest for the Obama Victory Fund on Sept. 9, a day that lands in the thick of New York's Fashion Week. The designers have been asked to wear -- or in the case of bags, carry -- their Obama paraphernalia to the event.

In the past, designers have separately thrown their support behind particular candidates. During the 2004 race, Nolan left his job at Anne Klein to campaign for Democrat Howard Dean, and von Furstenberg opened her downtown studio to a fundraiser for Gen. Wesley Clark. Oscar de la Renta has been bipartisan, donating to George W. Bush in 2004 and, most recently, to Clinton. Earlier this year, Marc Jacobs sold T-shirts from his main Bleecker Street store in support of Clinton.

Evidence of their developing love affair with Obama can be traced to June, once Seventh Avenue's own senator was out of the running. The industry rallied around Michelle Obama when Vogue Editor Anna Wintour, designer Calvin Klein and Vogue Editor at Large Andre Leon Talley hosted a $1,000-a-person cocktail reception and a $10,000-a-plate dinner in honor of the potential first lady. The event reportedly brought in close to $1 million.

"I spent an evening -- not just me alone -- with Michelle Obama and became aware of what they were all about," Lam says. "They're incredibly inspiring."

If there are adamant supporters of John McCain within the design community -- Cindy McCain visited de la Renta's showroom over the summer but was just browsing -- they have been hush-hush in their enthusiasm.