SEE IT, SHARE IT, SHOW IT & SEIZE IT:

Monday,8th.July.2024.

See It, Share It, Show It & Seize It:

 

In the tapestry of authority and power, every woven stitch of attires weave narratives exhibiting authority and power.

Do the attires make the leader or is it the leader who defines the attires?

From the solemnity of jet black dark tie/ tuxedo to the informal of casual Fridays; attires mirror the spectrum of leadership influence.

With every inauguration, a spick and span chapter, verse, paragraph, book and volume unfurl.

In the gallery of history, each leader’s attires hang a portrait of their eras’ ethos.

Attires become the canvas upon which leadership paints its aspirations.

From ceremonial robes to daily suits; styles speak volumes  in the lexicon of administration and leadership.

 

In the global theatre of governance, attires are the muted speech reverberating  across borders.

With each tailored suit and traditional robes, the leader dons the mantle of legacy.

 

The symbols that came to be associated with the Duke of Orleans and later on the French King Louis Philippe were neither the sceptre nor the crown but gray hat and an umbrella with which he would proudly walk the streets of Paris; as if he were a bourgeois out shuffling in a boulevard.

 

The long, ungainly figure upon which hung raiment characteristically like a pendulum in an hourglass that were evidently the works of a raw baked tailor; the large feet and the clumsy gnarled hands courtesy of cobbler’s workmanships of which at the outset, at least, the orator seemed to be unduly conscientious; the long, gaunt head capped by a shack of hair that seemed not to have been conscientiously brushed out made a picture which did not fit with the New York’s conception of a refurbished to the innermost core Statesman. He is the sixteenth American President, President Abraham Lincoln.

 

The German Chancellor Angela Dorothea Merkel: her understated blazers and practical yet refurbished to the innermost core style; she epitomized efficiency and leadership during her tenure.

 

The American President Barack Hussein Obama in his signature tailored suits, he commanded attention on the global stage; exuding intrepidity and modern elegance throughout his two terms.

His long sleeved shirt had  folded cuffs signifying time consciousness, youthfulness and vitality.

He ran aboard Air Force One signifying youthfulness, vitality, fitness and proficiencies.

 

The Israeli’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: recognizable in his sharp suits and meticulously groomed appearance.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s attires underscored his statesmanlike image and unwavering dyed-in-the-wool commitment to Israeli’s stability, security and prosperity.

 

The Argentine Guerrilla leader Che Guevara famously adorned in a coal pitch dark and black beret studded with a red brass star.

 

 

The French President Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frederic Macron: preference for crisp, well-fitted suits underscored his youthfulness and dynamic approach to leadership in France and the entire global stage.

 

The Cuban President Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz: in his military fatigues and distinctive olive green cap; Fidel’s revolutionary attires became synonymous with his steadfast leadership and defiance against external pressures.

 

The Malawi’s President Hastings Kamuzu Banda had a walking stick .

Upon returning from abroad, the long time President adopted a high sense of fashion that included three piece suits and an ever present walking stick.

 

The Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez: often seen in his military-inspired red beret and olive green uniform; Hugo’s attires reflected his populist persona and socialists’ ideologies, resonating with his supporters. Analysts have noted that President Hugo’s red beret was as much a symbol of charismo. That is the revolutionary body of thoughts, style and programmes that President Hugo pushed through; as it was an acknowledgement of his military past.There are a host of images of President Hugo in combat gear and a red beret.

 

 

The New Zealand’s Leader Dame Jacinda Kate Laurell Ardern is known for her approachable and casual demeanour; often seen in simple attires or traditional Maori attires; Her Highness Madam Jacinda’s clothing reflects her down-to-earth leadership style.

 

The India’s Jawaharlal Nehru is reputed for his Nehru jackets; his attires blended exquisitely with traditional Indian aesthetics with modern simplicity reflecting his progressive visions capered with statesmanship.

 

The American President John Fitzgerald Kennedy: admired for his timeless style, his impeccably tailored suits became iconic symbols of elegance and charisma during his presidency; embodying an era of American optimism.

 

The Democratic Republic Of Congo’s President Joseph Mobutu Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu Wa Za Banga had a leopard’s skin toque.

This stood up to his intrepidity image that he sought to instill in his population.

President Joseph Mobutu Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu Wa Za Banga traded his military cap for his colourful headgear and never switched back.

 

The Zambian President Kenneth David Buchizya Kaunda had his white handkerchief in his hands tucked somewhere in one of the breast pockets of his suits.

The accordion playing vegetarian held the handkerchief which came in handy when crying publicly.

He held the handkerchief between his thumb and index finger.

It represented ambience, calmness, coolness, composure, collectedness, serenity and tranquility.

 

The United Kingdom’s Margaret Hilda Thatcher: distinguished by her power suits with structured shoulder pads ; Prime Minister Margaret’s attires symbolised her authoritative leadership style and unwavering determination while she was the British Prime Minister.

 

The Non-Violence Activist Mohandas Karamchand Mahatma Gandhi branded himself in simplicity in his dress code.

He wore a simple dhoti and shawl thus becoming the inspiration of non-violence resistance; after he deployed its tactics and principles; birthing, heralding and ushering the independence of India.

 

 

The former American First Lady Michelle Lavaughn Robinson Obama dressed simply yet in the outstanding classic manner. Her attires exuded intrepidity, youthfulness and vitality.

 

 

 

The Libyan Leader Colonel Muammar Mohammed Abu Minyar Gaddafi trademarked Bedouin dress.

The Libyan was reputed for his outfits in bright colours and accessories that pointed to traditional Bedouin attires.

The later years of his reign saw him adapt these outfits being the statement of his Africanness and his promotion for a boarderless  United States Of Africa continent.

 

The South African President His Excellency Nelson Henry Mphakanyiswa Gadla Tata Madiba Mandela: clad in vibrant patterned shirts symbolising his African heritage.  His Excellency President Nelson’s attires spoke volumes about his identity and unyielding spirit in fighting against apartheid.

With his vibrant Madiba’s shirts adorned in bold colours and patterns; his attires not only celebrated his African heritage but also conveyed unity and reconciliation during his presidency.

 

The South Sudan’s President His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit has a stetson hat.

In 2006 when visiting the USA domiciled White House, he received a black stetson hat from the former American President His Excellency President George Walker Bush Junior.

Reportedly, he fell in love with it, so much that he purchased several.

 

Burkina Faso’s President Thomas Isidore Noel Sankara has a red beret.

He ascended to power after a popular coup being a young military man.

His signature red beret became a symbol of revolution that his reign promised its citizens.

 

The Russian Leader Vladimir  Vladimirovich Putin: frequently seen in his formal suits projecting authority and power; President Vladimir’s strong traditional attires mirror his puissant presence of being the President of Russia.

 

The China’s Xi Jinping: dressed in sharply tailored suits or traditional Chinese attires; President Xi Jinping’s clothing choices mirrored his balance of modernity and reverence for Chinese culture during his presidency.

 

By Professor and Philosopher Daniel Masese.