What Justice Jackson’s Inauguration Collar Teaches Us About Power and Presence

When Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson appeared at the 2025 presidential inauguration wearing a custom-made collar over her judicial robe, the message was unmistakable. In Vogue’s recent piece, the publication explores how every detail of the collar—crafted by a Ghanaian-American designer and intentionally selected by Jackson herself—speaks to a deeper narrative of visibility, dignity, and cultural pride.

It’s no secret that professional dress codes, especially for women, are often shaped by Eurocentric ideals. For Black women navigating high-stakes, highly visible roles—particularly in global institutions—style is never just style. It becomes a form of coded language, a daily negotiation between self-expression and perceived respectability.

Justice Jackson’s choice was anything but neutral. The custom collar honored her heritage, asserted her individuality, and affirmed the growing truth that professionalism can, and should, include cultural identity.

At WIAN, this resonates deeply. Our community is filled with women who are constantly navigating questions like: Can I wear my natural hair to that interview? Will this accent mark me as “other” in the boardroom? Do I need to tone down how I present myself to be taken seriously?

“The collar’s symbolism is crystal clear: strength and softness, grit and grace—woven together in Black womanhood.”

Jackson’s quiet act of sartorial resistance reminds us that authority and authenticity are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they can—and must—coexist. And as international professionals, especially women of colour, we are constantly expanding the definition of what leadership looks like.

Whether you’re entering a new market, launching your career abroad, or simply trying to stand your ground in a global workplace, remember: how you show up matters. Your presence is powerful, and the choices you make—down to your jewellery, your name pronunciation, or your hijab—are valid, beautiful, and deserving of space.

📖 Read the full Vogue article here → https://www.vogue.com/article/justice-ketanji-brown-jackson-symbolic-collar-2025-inauguration

💬 We want to hear from you: How do you express your identity through style in your professional life? Drop a comment below or join the conversation inside the WIAN community.