Michelle Obama’s ‘vote’ necklace goes viral after convention speech

Former first lady Michelle Obama’s “vote” necklace that she wore during her Democratic National Convention speech went viral on Monday night. 

Obama’s necklace, which featured the word “vote” spread out along a gold chain, stood out during her keynote speech at the end of the first night of the convention.    

While she was still talking, the necklace, created by an independent, Black-owned business, was trending on Twitter, leading Footwear News to label it as “the must-have accessory of 2020.” 

The piece was custom ordered from ByChari, a Los Angeles-based business run by Chari Cuthbert, a Black woman. The company is now selling the necklace in yellow, rose and white for $295 for small letters and $405 for large letters.

ByChari tweeted in response to the boost in attention, saying, “I never imagined that something I’m so passionate about could mean to so much so many!” 

“The response has been incredible and I am beyond honored and humbled that @michelleobama wore my design,” the tweet read.

I never imagined that something I’m so passionate about could mean so much to so many! The response has been incredible and I am beyond honored and humbled that @michelleobama wore my design. pic.twitter.com/rbkEZ7HUei

— BYCHARI (@ByChari) August 18, 2020

Cuthbert told the Daily Beast that a few weeks ago Obama’s stylist reached out to order the necklace, but she said “we had no idea where she was going to wear it.” 

“There was a snippet from her DNC speech on CNN and my mom sent it to me,” Cuthbert said. “I couldn’t believe it. Out of respect, I didn’t post it or anything, because I didn’t want to take advantage.”

Several tweets about the piece of jewelry gained traction, including one by Christina Reynolds, the vice president of communications at EMILY’s List, who publicly hinted to presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s campaign that it should sell the necklace.

“Psst, Biden team: start selling that vote necklace @MichelleObama is wearing and you’ll fund ads for the next 77 days,” she said.

Psst, Biden team: start selling that vote necklace @MichelleObama is wearing and you’ll fund ads for the next 77 days.

— Christina Reynolds (@creynoldsnc) August 18, 2020

Actress and comedian Allana Harkin posted that “millions of women” were “currently googling ‘Vote necklace’” after Obama’s speech.

Millions of women currently googling “Vote necklace”. #DemConvention

— Allana Harkin (@AllanaHarkin) August 18, 2020

Someone find me Michelle Obama’s VOTE necklace immediately please, I need to wear it every day for the rest of my life.

— Amanda Litman (@amandalitman) August 18, 2020

The former first lady’s speech focused on condemning President Trump’s character and record while calling for voters to turn out for Biden. 

“Let me be as honest and clear as I possibly can. Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country,” Obama said. “He has had more than enough time to prove that he can do the job, but he is clearly in over his head. He cannot meet this moment. He simply cannot be who we need him to be for us. It is what it is.”