General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMarie Yovanovich spoke volumes with her clothes.
The scarf she wore when she testified was a classic Hermes with a pattern of swords, eagles and flags. She also wore a big sparkly American flag pin.
Like female diplomats and politicians before her, Yovanovich used her clothes to send a message. This is a message that will resonate with upper income Republican women. They wear Hermes scarves. The message is - I'm one of you. Listen to what I'm saying.
Very clever. I went looking for an article about this because I knew others would have noticed this. Sure enough: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2019/11/15/marie-yovanovitchs-eagles-sabers-glittering-flag-spoke-before-her-testimony-began/%3foutputType=amp
TreasonousBastard
(43,049 posts)women we used to admire.
Like Margaret Chase Smith.
OhNo-Really
(3,985 posts)It was easy to see when she raised her right hand to swear in.
Midnight Writer
(21,745 posts)Since her hand is partially covered while she takes the oath, that makes the oath null and void. This is intentional on her part.
The ring on her right hand instead of her left identifies her as a Deep State officer. Watch for this in future witnesses.
OhNo-Really
(3,985 posts)I wondered if she carefully chose the scarf because I manufactured an accessory line in the late 80s early 90s when that type of print was all the rage.
The Disinformation Bureau must be working overtime in the WH
MacKasey
(986 posts)I could be wrong but I thought she was wearing a red coat when she left the building and got into a car.
Saw video last night , but can't find right now
Can anyone help?
Thanks
Beartracks
(12,809 posts)========
question everything
(47,470 posts)Hekate
(90,645 posts)...and I hope she is protected in ner home.
oldsoftie
(12,531 posts)SOP I imagine.
Roy Rolling
(6,911 posts)Politics is about persuasion, not just debate. Lecturing people on the facts like they are in grade school is just one method. I didnt realize the scarf significance, but it resonated with the people who do.
That is communication.
B Stieg
(2,410 posts)Thanks! These days, image is almost everything!
OMGWTF
(3,951 posts)I got to see her pin collection when it toured the US several years ago. Get the hardbound book because it's a gorgeous read --
https://www.amazon.com/Read-My-Pins-Stories-Diplomats/dp/0060899182/ref=sr_1_1?hvadid=78615122251030&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&keywords=madeleine+albright+pins&qid=1573926793&sr=8-1
yardwork
(61,588 posts)jmbar2
(4,874 posts)Also the Queen of England. Their pins are never just "decoration", but always send a message.
Tanuki
(14,918 posts)Ilsa
(61,694 posts)I am not a big fan of wearing pins unless I'm sticking them through a hardy fabric. They need to be light in weight unless they have a backing to counter the weight. A sagging pin is a no-go!
jmbar2
(4,874 posts)I hadn't noticed before - thanks.
Aquaria
(1,076 posts)But back in my worker bee and social butterfly days, I was definitely into pins and other accessories like scarves and hats (for social outings only). Everything I put on was to create a specific image, and send a message.
When I did temp work for law firms, I had a mini-Constitution scroll pin that that was a huge hit. One of the senior partners at a CA white shoe firm said he knew as soon as he saw that pin that I was going to be the kind of temp he wanted to hire for good. I had to turn him down when he made the offer, because I thought it was wrong to commit to a permanent position when I was (then) a military wife whose husband could be shipped out to a base halfway around the world next week.
jmbar2
(4,874 posts)Destroyed my feet wearing high heels for the first part of my career and felt claustrophobic in pantyhose. Took 40 minutes to torment my curly hair into a "professional do" each morning.
The last consulting project I did, I noticed that all the other consultants had major dental work done. They all had these huge, ultrawhite "chiclet" smiles. I knew then and there that I had done all I could do for the corporate world. Never looked back.
Grasswire2
(13,568 posts)D.C. in summer, stuck in traffic at rush hour, pantyhose. Oy.
yardwork
(61,588 posts)AdamGG
(1,288 posts)and Senator
lunatica
(53,410 posts)It takes an ability to mediate between two or more parties. Its the ability to smooth things and to persuade. To listen and comprehend. To work for the betterment of both sides. To reach mutual understanding and benefit. Its the ability to stop wars from happening. To make friends and allies. Partisanship is detrimental to diplomats. Their calling is to serve the country, not the politicians or Presidents.
Ilsa
(61,694 posts)She was all-business, all-patriotic, and an American success story with immigrant parents escaping the soviets and nazis. She was grateful, humble, and confident. Her clothing choices reflected all of that.
Wellstone ruled
(34,661 posts)Dressing for Success. Her posture and eye contact says,hear me roar.
LuckyLib
(6,819 posts)at particular meetings in my profession, some women would send a notice the day before that the meeting was a "black suit day." Sartorial choices are not trivial.
Aquaria
(1,076 posts)Who wore only black or super-dark blue or brown suits when they had to be in court, so that they would appear more authoritative.
yardwork
(61,588 posts)Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)When she walked out she passed Goldman and they both acknowledged each other with big smiles and nods. It was one of those videos that the networks broke into but left the scene playing.
MuseRider
(34,105 posts)professional and strong.
I would not know a Hermes scarf if you strangled me with one! My brothers partner worked at Hermes but I would never look, way too pricey for my rural life!!
She certainly had a soft look on her face when she smiled and a definite look of sadness that her time doing that job was over. She obviously loved her job and the people she was working with but she was also very strong about what she was doing.
I guess Hermes would do it for some, her words and actions for others and some would love it all. She made me feel sad but very proud.
yardwork
(61,588 posts)I admire them for their strength and courage. That's what the pattern on her scarf said. It's a reference to power in the service of liberty.
MuseRider
(34,105 posts)and thoughtful choice.
cp
(6,623 posts)when Trumpski visited. Strong, powerful women!
Aquaria
(1,076 posts)But I know Hermes when I see it, and plenty of liberal women are like that. I saw that scarf Yovanovich wore and knew its provenance, instantly.
She may have been speaking not only to conservaXXX women, but to all professional women in general. Professional-class women have far more sway over what other women think and do than people realize, because they're the women we interact with most often in the real world, be it through work, business, social groups or charities. They are the trustworthy ones who can get things done...or the evil harridans who make our lives hell.
We know what a credible woman in authority looks and acts like, and Madame Ambassador hit all that out of the ballpark.
littlemissmartypants
(22,632 posts)yardwork
(61,588 posts)Skittles
(153,150 posts)yes indeed
CountAllVotes
(20,868 posts)yardwork
(61,588 posts)Cha
(297,154 posts)yardwork
(61,588 posts)I have a job that requires tact, diplomacy, and persuasion. (I know, I'm nothing like this on DU!)
On certain days I wear black suits and a Hermes scarf. I don't own one like hers, though. I'm in a different field so I send different signals.
Years ago I bought used Hermes scarves on eBay and refurbished them myself. Silk is an amazingly resilient fabric.
Cha
(297,154 posts)would have guessed!
Cool!
yardwork
(61,588 posts)littlemissmartypants
(22,632 posts)She definitely knocked the nonverbal signals out of the park. The power color triad of red, black and white. The eyeglasses. The hair. Along with what has already been mentioned, all straight out of the nonverbal category of Costuming and Cosmetics. Add that to her Vocalics and we have a beyond winning classic combination. Ms. Yovanovich was a walking, talking master class in persuasion.
A role model for us all.
yardwork
(61,588 posts)blogslut
(37,999 posts)I'll make a small wager she bought that scarf 30-ish years ago and has lovingly cared for it ever since. I wouldn't say the pin was that sizable.
yardwork
(61,588 posts)blogslut
(37,999 posts)Those aren't crowns. They're a military headdress called a Shako. Marie Yovanovitch is a soldier.
Trailrider1951
(3,414 posts)And this:
?w=700&h=437&crop=1
Not to mention this:
?cache=ocbfchfdez&ops=scalefit_630_noupscale
yardwork
(61,588 posts)mr_lebowski
(33,643 posts)librechik
(30,674 posts)born to the aristocracy, no excuses. And the iconography is a big bonus.
brer cat
(24,560 posts)K&R