YES, you can. So said Harry Winston, the preferred jewellers of celebrities walking the red carpet in La-La Land.
With that Obama-inspired tagline, the ultra-luxury brand advertised on Wednesday a diamond ring that cost at least US$25,000, or RM90,100. As for Brooks Brothers, which was established in 1818, it boasted about its most famous customer, Abraham Lincoln, who wore an overcoat by the label during his second inauguration in 1865.
“Inspired by our past, we look toward the future,” the clothing line declared a day after the presidential inauguration in an advertisement billed “One Country, One Destiny”.
Dunkin’ Donuts proclaimed on TV that “You kin’ do it”; Movado, the Swiss luxury watchmaker, congratulated Americans for “a time of pride, promise and hope”.
Politics has been inspirational to Madison Avenue, the oft-used term for the US ad industry, and the newly-minted president has been good for business.
At Union Station, the historic Washington DC train station which is just a short walk from the Capitol Building, stalls have sprung up focusing solely on Obama memorabilia. Some stores have catchy names such as Making History, Life on Capitol Hill, and President Cigars.
Life-size cardboard cut-outs of Barack Obama are on almost every corner.
And for just US$20 (RM72), one makeshift photography shop would juxtapose your image with that of Obama’s; both of you in a pose that makes it appear as though you and the 44th US president are best friends.
Jan 20 was a happy, happy day for those Americans who believed that theirs was a Promised Land once more.
“I was in depression for eight years until Nov 4 last year,” said New Yorker N. Robinson, currently unemployed, referring to Obama’s victory in the election.
One cafe in mid-town Manhattan handed out free coffee between 10.44am and 1.44pm on Tuesday as a toast to the new commander-in-chief.
For husband-and-wife team Matt and Delia Paine, the post-inauguration period meant that they could finally take a break after working 16 to 18 hours a day for the past three months.
Delia, an artist, has a hugely successful business of making Obama buttons that have been worn by high-powered Democrats such as Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and second in line to the presidency.
The couple opened a kiosk in Union Station throughout this month, next to another stand that was also selling keepsakes of the first black president. Obama sandals, anyone?
“We brought 10,000 Obama keychains, buttons, zipper pulls and refrigerator magnets for our one-month duration here,” said 39-year-old Matt who is in the construction business.
Originally from Oregon, they relocated to Washington DC just for this occasion and brought along their two school-going children.
Business was great and orders came from other countries, too, after they were featured by news provider AP.
The consumerism of Obama led to one news report in The New York Times observing that “hope does not come free, and change will cost you”.
Still, Obama’s inspiring words have continued to stir Americans everywhere.
For 57-year-old Augusta Ogden, the inaugural speech completely overwhelmed her as she stood watching the ceremony in Times Square on Tuesday.
She wept when Obama spoke about forefathers who “packed up their few worldly possessions and travelled across oceans in search of a new life. For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and ploughed the hard earth. For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sanh”.
“Those were my ancestors he was talking about,” Ogden, an artiste manager, said. “I’m proud to be here. We have faith again. Finally, the light in America has returned.”
Marketing manager Andre Spelbrink, a Dutch who has lived in New York for 25 years, was charmed by Obama’s message.
“He appealed to everyone to stand together although that can be a tough thing to do. But of course Obama put it in a much better way!” (With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come.)
“It’s good to hear from a US president who can speak well,” Spelbrink said.
Most presidential inaugural addresses have not been very memorable, according to historian Donald Kennon. His favourite was Lincoln’s second inaugural speech when he said:
“With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan – to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves, and with all nations.”
During the presidential race the Obama campaign frequently sent out personalised e-mails to supporters that were signed “Barack Obama”.
On Wednesday, an e-mail came again. “Thank you for being part of the most open inauguration in our nation’s history.”
It went on to say that work had started on remaking America. “Our journey is just beginning. Thank you for all you do.”
(signed) President Barack Obama.
With that Obama-inspired tagline, the ultra-luxury brand advertised on Wednesday a diamond ring that cost at least US$25,000, or RM90,100. As for Brooks Brothers, which was established in 1818, it boasted about its most famous customer, Abraham Lincoln, who wore an overcoat by the label during his second inauguration in 1865.
“Inspired by our past, we look toward the future,” the clothing line declared a day after the presidential inauguration in an advertisement billed “One Country, One Destiny”.
Dunkin’ Donuts proclaimed on TV that “You kin’ do it”; Movado, the Swiss luxury watchmaker, congratulated Americans for “a time of pride, promise and hope”.
Politics has been inspirational to Madison Avenue, the oft-used term for the US ad industry, and the newly-minted president has been good for business.
At Union Station, the historic Washington DC train station which is just a short walk from the Capitol Building, stalls have sprung up focusing solely on Obama memorabilia. Some stores have catchy names such as Making History, Life on Capitol Hill, and President Cigars.
Life-size cardboard cut-outs of Barack Obama are on almost every corner.
And for just US$20 (RM72), one makeshift photography shop would juxtapose your image with that of Obama’s; both of you in a pose that makes it appear as though you and the 44th US president are best friends.
Jan 20 was a happy, happy day for those Americans who believed that theirs was a Promised Land once more.
“I was in depression for eight years until Nov 4 last year,” said New Yorker N. Robinson, currently unemployed, referring to Obama’s victory in the election.
One cafe in mid-town Manhattan handed out free coffee between 10.44am and 1.44pm on Tuesday as a toast to the new commander-in-chief.
For husband-and-wife team Matt and Delia Paine, the post-inauguration period meant that they could finally take a break after working 16 to 18 hours a day for the past three months.
Delia, an artist, has a hugely successful business of making Obama buttons that have been worn by high-powered Democrats such as Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and second in line to the presidency.
The couple opened a kiosk in Union Station throughout this month, next to another stand that was also selling keepsakes of the first black president. Obama sandals, anyone?
“We brought 10,000 Obama keychains, buttons, zipper pulls and refrigerator magnets for our one-month duration here,” said 39-year-old Matt who is in the construction business.
Originally from Oregon, they relocated to Washington DC just for this occasion and brought along their two school-going children.
Business was great and orders came from other countries, too, after they were featured by news provider AP.
The consumerism of Obama led to one news report in The New York Times observing that “hope does not come free, and change will cost you”.
Still, Obama’s inspiring words have continued to stir Americans everywhere.
For 57-year-old Augusta Ogden, the inaugural speech completely overwhelmed her as she stood watching the ceremony in Times Square on Tuesday.
She wept when Obama spoke about forefathers who “packed up their few worldly possessions and travelled across oceans in search of a new life. For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and ploughed the hard earth. For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sanh”.
“Those were my ancestors he was talking about,” Ogden, an artiste manager, said. “I’m proud to be here. We have faith again. Finally, the light in America has returned.”
Marketing manager Andre Spelbrink, a Dutch who has lived in New York for 25 years, was charmed by Obama’s message.
“He appealed to everyone to stand together although that can be a tough thing to do. But of course Obama put it in a much better way!” (With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come.)
“It’s good to hear from a US president who can speak well,” Spelbrink said.
Most presidential inaugural addresses have not been very memorable, according to historian Donald Kennon. His favourite was Lincoln’s second inaugural speech when he said:
“With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan – to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves, and with all nations.”
During the presidential race the Obama campaign frequently sent out personalised e-mails to supporters that were signed “Barack Obama”.
On Wednesday, an e-mail came again. “Thank you for being part of the most open inauguration in our nation’s history.”
It went on to say that work had started on remaking America. “Our journey is just beginning. Thank you for all you do.”
(signed) President Barack Obama.
