When US Vice President JD Vance touched down in Delhi with his family, all eyes were not just on the high-profile diplomatic visit but also on the sartorial symbolism woven into their arrival. Accompanied by his wife, Usha Vance, and their three children- Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel, the Vice President made a graceful entrance that balanced classic diplomacy with personal heritage, all wrapped in quietly elegant fashion choices.
Usha, the first Asian American and Hindu American to serve as Second Lady of the United States, offered a striking yet sophisticated style moment. Dressed in a bold red dress, she brought a vibrant pop of colour to the ceremonial welcome. The look was polished with a crisp white blazer and sleek nude heels, striking a seamless blend of East-meets-West minimalism and First Lady-esque finesse. Red, a colour symbolising prosperity and celebration in Indian culture, felt like a meaningful nod to her roots, perfect for a moment of cultural homecoming.
But it was the Vance children who truly captured hearts with their attire. Ewan and Vivek, the couple’s two sons, were dressed in traditional Indian kurtas- Ewan in a soft blue and Vivek in a sunny yellow. Three-year-old Mirabel wore a delicate kurta set, her outfit gently swaying as she descended the aircraft steps, guided by a staff member before being swept up in her father’s arms.
Their looks were more than adorable; they were emblematic of a deep connection to their Telugu-Indian heritage- one that Usha, who was born to Indian immigrant parents and raised in an Indo-American household, has carried into her own family with grace and intention.
The choice to dress the children in traditional Indian wear spoke volumes about the family’s respect for their cultural lineage and their desire to reflect that heritage on a global stage. In a world where fashion often serves as silent diplomacy, the Vance family’s ensembles struck a perfect chord between tradition and modernity, politics and personal identity.
As India prepares to host the family for a series of high-level visits, from the Taj Mahal to Jaipur’s City Palace- this warm, culturally attuned arrival has already made its mark, both in politics and in fashion.